Confusion over financial support for final year dental students

Many dental students have been left confused over a Scottish Government pledge to give them financial support for their final year.

Students in Aberdeen have been told by staff they will not receive payments because their extended period for graduating will not cover a full year.

A bursary of up to £6750 was announced last week to help tackle delays in students graduating.

Lockdown has left dental students unable to gain the necessary practical experience to qualify.

The British Dental Association Scotland (BDA) has sought clarification from ministers.

Aberdeen finalists, who are not expected to see their graduation extended by a full year have been informed by university staff they will not qualify for the support.

The BDA said it feels that questions remain over the status of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and overseas students studying at Scottish dental schools.

It has written to Scotland’s health secretary Jeane Freeman and education secretary John Swinney.

David McColl, chairman of the BDA’s Scottish dental practice committee said: “We welcomed the bursary announcement. It demonstrated the necessary leadership we expect.

“So, we’re disturbed by reports that final year students at Aberdeen won’t qualify for government support by virtue of the fact their extension will not cover a full 12 months.

“We hope this is an administrative oversight that will be immediately rectified. If it’s not, it will signal a two-tier approach that will protect some students from a mountain of debt but not others.

“What every final year student now requires is certainty and support.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The bursary support was always intended to cover all dental students repeating a full year. This includes those from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and international.

“As regards students in their final year at Aberdeen Dental School, we are currently in discussions to ensure they receive the financial support they need albeit this will, by definition, be from a different scheme. We hope to provide details as soon as possible.”