The Dental Leadership Programme is the ultimate opportunity for aspiring dentists, to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in a supportive environment. As a participant, you will receive two teaching days each year (one in November and one in February), providing you with the tools you need to succeed in your future career. Through this programme, you will have the chance to work alongside a variety of dental professionals, gaining valuable insights and experiences that will help you stand out from your peers. The earlier you get involved, the more time you will have to hone your skills and build your confidence, so don’t hesitate to apply! We accept students from 11/S4/Northern Irish 12 year groups. With certificates and references from the Presidents of Dental Mentor, this programme is your ticket to a successful career in dentistry and maybe even a scholarship to study dentistry at university. Join us today and take the first step towards a bright future!

As an aspiring dentist, you are on the path to making a profound impact on people’s lives. However, being a dentist is not just about dental knowledge and technical skills. It is also about leadership, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. Leadership skills are essential for dentists because they help you to communicate effectively with your colleagues, build trust with your patients, and make difficult decisions in high-pressure situations. By developing your leadership skills, you can become a more effective and compassionate physician, capable of guiding and supporting your team to provide the best possible care to your patients. Remember, the road to becoming a dentist is long and challenging, but with dedication, perseverance, and strong leadership skills, you can become the kind of dentist who makes a real difference in the world.

Yes, the programme is free to students who are accepted.

At Dental Mentor, we believe that investing in the future of our dentists is crucial. That’s why we’re proud to offer our Medical Leadership Programme completely free of charge to secondary school students that are enrolled onto the Silver, Gold or Platinum Pathways. We understand that pursuing a career in dentistry is already challenging enough, and financial barriers should never hold students back from achieving their dreams. We fund the programme ourselves because we believe that investing in the future of medicine is investing in the future of our society. By offering students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and other essential qualities, we’re helping to ensure that our future healthcare system will be led by the best and brightest minds. So if you’re an aspiring dentist, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey and take advantage of this unique opportunity to develop your skills and achieve your dreams.

As part of the Leadership Programme, students can expect to cover a range of curriculum topics, including medical ethics, research skills, public speaking, team-building, critical thinking, and more. There will also be discussions of dental wider-reading topics such as current affairs, NHS structure and values, significant dental organisations and discoveries, and healthcare policy. The programme aims to provide a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for their future careers as dentists, by not only focusing on dental knowledge but also developing key transferable skills.

Session 1:

• Introduction to Dental Leadership and the qualities and skills needed to become an excellent dentist
• Goal setting and time management
• Effective communication and teamwork
• Setting up a dental Society within your school
• How to network
• Guest speaker(s) from the dental profession
  
  

Session 2:

• Research skills and methods
• Conducting a literature review
• Developing an innovative education project
• Presenting your education project to peers and mentors
• Dental ethics and law
• Guest speaker from the dental profession
• This is a rough overview and subject to change.

Throughout the programme, students will be placed into small groups with personal mentors to work on practical tasks and participate in interactive activities alongside engaging presentations. All sessions will be virtual on Zoom, allowing for networking and collaboration with students from across the country. Each day will leave students feeling more confident and having developed a specific skill such as leadership, presentation, research and more. The knowledge combined with the amazing activities creates incredible CVs and individual growth which make students very competitive candidates for dental school applications.

School Ambassadors is the term we use to refer to the students on the Dental Leadership Programme.  These incredible students are individuals who have taken a step towards shaping the future of the dental profession. They are inspiring leaders who work passionately to empower and motivate other aspiring dentals within their schools. As School Ambassadors, they play a critical role in creating awareness by providing guidance and help to other students on how to make use of the supportive network and resources at Dental Mentor.  In doing this they can encourage colleagues at schools to explore healthcare careers. Through their hard work, dedication, and passion, they inspire the next generation of dental professionals to follow in their footsteps and make a positive impact in their communities. These school ambassadors demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and serve as shining examples of what it means to be a compassionate and skilled dental professional. Their efforts in shaping the dental profession, inspiring others and growing themselves both personally and professionally, are truly remarkable and deserve recognition and praise.

You must be enrolled onto the Silver, Gold or Platinum Pathway’s in order to apply.  

Applications for leadership positions open twice a year and we will be making announcements across our social dental platforms, so please follow us on instagram, twitter, Facebook, TikTok and keep an eye on your emails for when leadership positions open.

To apply for a position on the Leadership Programme with Dental Mentor, you must also be a secondary student who wants to become a dentist. The programme is open to students from any school around the world who are enrolled onto the Silver, Gold or Platinum Pathway’s and in the following year groups (or international equivalents):

• Year 11 (age 15-16 years old)
• Year 12 (age 16-17 years old)
• Year 13 (age 17-18 years old)

We accept students from Scotland in S4, S5 and S6 year groups.
We accept students from Norther Ireland in 12, 13 and 14 year groups.

Dental Mentor is looking for motivated and dedicated students who have a passion for dentistry and a commitment to making a positive impact in the field. Previous experience in dentistry or healthcare is not required, but applicants should have a strong academic record and demonstrate leadership skills, teamwork, and a desire to learn and grow.

We understand that the prospect of applying for the dental leadership programme can be daunting, especially considering the fact that we can only offer three places per school. However, we want to emphasise that this competitive aspect is not a measure of your worth or potential as a future dental leader. Rather, it simply speaks to the high level of interest in the programme and the limited number of spots available. We encourage you to view this as an opportunity to showcase your unique talents, skills, and passion for dentistry. The programme is designed to support and empower students to become future leaders in healthcare, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals. So, while the competition may be tough, we want you to know that we believe in you and your potential to make a real difference in the field of dentistry. Take a chance, apply with confidence, and let your passion for dentistry shine through.