The British Dental Students' Association (BDSA) is a student body run by an annually elected Executive Committee and student representatives from each UK dental school.
The association was founded in 1942 and today represents over 5,000 dental students in the UK. The BDA and BDSA are two separate organisations that work closely together.
The BDA is the trade union and professional association for dentists and dental students. Whilst the BDSA is a voluntary run organisation, run by dental students, to look after the social side of student life.
The BDSA has a constitution that outlines the mission and aims of the BDSA, plus sets out membership policy and roles of the executive committee. It also provides guidance to each executive committee to carry out their duties responsibly.
Meetings take place twice a year at the BDA offices in London. Two representatives from each school, plus the BDSA Executive Committee members, are invited to attend each meeting which normally takes place in the morning, followed by the BDA Student Committee meeting in the afternoon.
If you are interested in representing your school, read more about the role and responsibilities of committee members on the BDA.ORG *Insert link here instead* page, and if you have further questions, then either speak to your school BDA rep or email [email protected].
One of the aims of the BDSA is to represent dental students on an international level. It works closely with the European Dental Students Association (EDSA) to do this. The EDSA represents over 65,000 European dental students and aims to link dental students across social, political and clinical aspects of dentistry.
Co-President
Co-President
Immediate Past President
General Secretary
Treasurer
Communications Officer
Conference Organiser
Sports Day Organiser
Communications Co-Lead
Sponsorship Officer
Publicity Officer
Research Officer
For more information about the roles and how to apply please head to the BDA website.
Charity is at the heart of the British Dental Students' Association. Each year we select a BDSA Chosen Charity, to which we contribute 30% of our annual profits. This Chosen Charity, a valued aspect of the BDSA, is nominated by a committee member and chosen through a Council vote.
We’re deeply honoured to be able to support charities each year, helping to spread awareness of their essential work and provide hope and resources to those in need. Through our donations, we hope to contribute to meaningful and positive change within communities.
In previous years, our recipients have included:
At the BDSA Autumn Council Meeting 2024-2025, we were honoured to have selected our BDSA Chosen Charity for this year: The Canmore Trust. The Canmore Trust is committed to providing compassionate support to individuals and families affected by suicide, offering a safe community for those impacted and working tirelessly to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Through raising awareness, providing mental health education, and organising meaningful remembrance events, the Canmore Trust fosters understanding and unity in communities throughout the UK.
To learn more about the incredible work of the Canmore Trust and find ways to get involved, please visit their website: https://thecanmoretrust.co.uk/
The Douglas Jackson Grant was established in 2015 by the BDSA committee, to support events and projects occurring on a larger scale, with the aim to foster liaison and unity between UK dental schools. Whether it is an academic event, social occasion or a charity gala, we welcome applications bi-annually, with each round offering up to £700.
This year, the application opening and closing times are:
To apply, fill out the form at the end of the application pack and submit to [email protected] by the deadline.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM
The BDSA Research Summit is an annual event designed to inspire and showcase the academic potential of dental students across the UK. Hosted as part of the prestigious BDSA Conference, the 2025 Research Summit will take place on Sunday, 9th February 2025, at the University of Leeds. This exciting initiative provides a unique platform for students to present their research, gain recognition, and connect with peers and professionals in the dental field.
Whether you are an experienced researcher or completely new to academic research, this summit is designed for everyone. Tailored to be both beginner-friendly and highly rewarding, the event offers publication opportunities, networking events post conference and exclusive prizes worth over £3000 through high-quality hands-on workshops - ensuring a valuable and enriching experience for all participants.
The BDSA Research Summit is your chance to grow academically, network with peers and professionals, and contribute to the field of dentistry. We look forward to seeing your submissions and welcoming you to the summit in Leeds this February!
The summit offers a platform to showcase your work, gain recognition, and grow both personally and professionally. Here's why getting involved is so beneficial:
To be released in December! Keep your eyes on this page for the announcement!
To give a hint, prizes will include: networking opportunities, high-quality hands-on courses worth £3000+ and opportunities to learn from international clinicians.
We’re here to help! Use these resources to get started:
We’re here to make the process as smooth as possible:
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