FDS Undergraduate Award

The FDS Undergraduate Award recognises the initiative, contribution and hard work of undergraduate students to the dental profession. The award is intended to celebrate students who have been involved in a project and made an exceptional contribution, developed an outstanding initiative or gone the extra mile. Applicants should demonstrate excellence and endeavour beyond the requirements of the curriculum.

The Undergraduate Award was created in line with our strategy to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge of our members at all career stages and to continue to embrace diversity and inspire professionals of the future.

Applications for the 2024 FDS Undergraduate Awards have now closed. Over the next few months, we will upload the 2024 finalists' project videos to our social media channels. The winner will be announced in summer.

Meet our 2023 FDS Undergraduate Prize Award winner:

Tabitha Whates - Bristol University 

Tabitha demonstrated exceptional leadership through the establishment of a noteworthy dental charity initiative, building links between the dental school and diverse communities across Bristol. Through visits to primary schools, homeless shelters, and various communities, she was able to help identify the needs and dental challenges faced by these groups. One of these successful projects is Jumpstart Kids, a fitness and nutrition initiative dedicated to supporting families in poverty. Through this project, she was able to conduct valuable dental-oriented health sessions for children in need. Working with staff at the dental school, she also helped to introduce community engagement work into the undergraduate curriculum, enhancing the educational landscape of dental studies.

"I graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2023 where I studied the BDS Undergraduate degree for 5 years. I am now working in general practice in Newquay, Cornwall as a foundation dentist. It has been a big learning curve and adjustment from dental school, but an enjoyable challenge and one that is feeling smoother as the time goes by! Being immersed in various communities helped to expand my awareness and understanding of the various challenges faced by certain community populations.

I am currently lining up a number of visits into local primary and secondary schools to deliver sessions on oral health and career options in dentistry. The projects I was involved with in Bristol are continuing to provide a service to a number of communities and the dental school has been able to continue encouraging students to be a part of these projects, which is amazing. Spending time volunteering has always been important to me, something I have enjoyed and spent time doing. It is always rewarding to share a passion or informative session with others and it is wonderful that this Undergraduate Award was able to recognise this work."