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Student membership is free. Join as a fresher and get an Oxford Dictionary of Dentistry. Plus request sponsorship for virtual and face to face events, access the DDU journal, educational support, member discounts, and if you’re going on elective get free elective indemnity.
You can also turn to us for dento-legal advice if you face criticism from patients during the clinical aspects of your course.
Student membership is only available to dental students in the UK on a GDC recognised dental degree or training programme. Excludes clinical activity undertaken outside a training post.
We are led by dentists with experience of the pressures and challenges faced in practice.
99% of member calls are connected to a dento-legal adviser within 20 seconds during normal working hours.
In 2022, almost 80% of GDC cases handled by in-house lawyers were resolved without a formal hearing.
Read case studies and dilemmas in the DDU journal, and access a wealth of guidance on our website and the DDU app.
Make savings on textbooks and request sponsorship for virtual and face to face events.
Access our free e-learning modules on topics including, periodontal disease, SJT preparation for DF1 success, and health and wellbeing.
Get advice and support should you face dento-legal issues during your training.
Make light work of organising your elective with our elective planning guide and free elective indemnity.
Students studying dentistry and applying for membership as a fresher receive an Oxford Dictionary of Dentistry.
Simply fill out our student application form.
Find out more about what you can expect from student membership.
I've had a very positive experience with the DDU; providing support throughout my time at dental school. Most recently with a Zoom lecture covering all aspects of the SJT assessment. Any queries have also been quickly addressed by the dental liaison manager. Overall, they provide invaluable support for students and progression to foundation training.”
Members said...
DDU have been with us since freshers and offered helpful advice right up till our final year of uni. They have provided lots of support on topics such as electives and social media. I am very grateful for their guidance during my training.”
Most dental schools ask you to join a dental defence organisation should you face dento-legal issues during your training. Anyone studying to become a dentist should follow the standards of conduct, performance and ethics set out by the GDC.
Failure to meet these standards could have serious implications for your studies and career. Your dental defence organisation can support you by providing advice and representation (where allowed) with local investigations and complaints.
Occasionally students encounter complaints arising from dealings with patients during the clinical aspects of their course. This might result in a local investigation. If a school believes a serious concern has been identified that calls into question whether a student should continue on the course, an investigation and hearing might be conducted under local fitness to practise procedures.
It’s rare, but students can also face a criminal investigation arising from their involvement in the care of patients.
As a student member, you can contact us for support in these circumstances and request our assistance in conducting your defence to the allegations.
If you’re going on elective it's important to make sure you have adequate indemnity in place. It’s likely your elective host will ask you for written confirmation, or may even ask you to pay for indemnity. One of the benefits of student membership is free elective indemnity.
When you’ve decided on your destination go to My membership and complete the elective indemnity form. You can add up to three destinations and download and print your confirmation letter. We recommend you take this with you on your elective.
Unfortunately due to legislation we’re unable to offer indemnity for any work in Australia. However we can provide you with access to our 24-hour dento-legal advice line and indemnity for Good Samaritan acts.