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 students@bda.org.
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.
President
Immediate Past President
General Secretary
Treasurer
Communications Officer
Conference Organiser
Sports Day Organiser
Communications Co-Lead
Academic Officer
Publicity Officer
Research Officer
Policy Co-Lead
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 BDSA Charity Awards aim to recognise the exceptional charitable efforts and initiatives undertaken by individual dental students and dental societies across the United Kingdom. These awards celebrate dedication, innovation, and impact in contributing to charitable causes, both within and beyond the field of dentistry in the following 2 categories:
Please see the attached documents for more information and details on how to apply for the award.
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 Abigail.cheong@kcl.ac.uk by the deadline.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM
Are you ready to showcase your research, gain valuable experience, and make your mark in dental academia? The BDSA Research Summit is back and will take place on Sunday 1st February 2026 at the University of Liverpool as part of the annual BDSA Conference.
This summit is an excellent opportunity for UK dental students to present their research to peers and professionals, gain recognition, and compete for exclusive prizes. All participants will have their abstracts featured in the prestigious BDSA Book of Abstracts and receive a BDSA-accredited certificate of participation.
We’re here to support you every step of the way! Beginner-friendly resources like a detailed abstract template, an FAQ document, and a December webinar with our judging panel will be available to ensure every participant feels confident.
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