BDSA events

BDSA Conference 2025-26

Liverpool

Date: 30 January – 1 February 2026

The upcoming BDSA Conference is set to bring together dental students from all over the UK for an unforgettable weekend of educational and networking opportunities, with over 900 students expected to attend. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Liverpool hosting the conference, and we are grateful to host it again. The two-day annual conference will also host memorable events, allowing students to build lasting relationships with peers from across the country. Attendees will especially benefit from inspiring presentations by leading professionals, as well as gaining valuable insights to help shape their future careers.

This year’s conference weekend is set to be the biggest UK dental student event ever hosted, and we are really looking forward to it. This will be a rare chance to connect with experts and peers alike, fostering both personal and professional growth. The BDSA Conference will be hosted by Liverpool from 30 January - 1 February 2025. For the latest updates, follow the BDSA Conference Liverpool Instagram page @bdsa.liverpool

BDSA Annual Research Summit

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 1 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.

What’s in it for participants?

• Publication: All abstracts are published on the BDSA website and showcased in the BDSA Book of Abstracts
• Certificate of participation: A valuable addition to any CV or portfolio
• Top five abstracts: Displayed at the conference and rewarded with prizes from our exclusive prize pool
• First place winner: Research published in BDJ Student and presented live at the summit.

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.

Eligibility and submission details

• Open to all UK dental students (BDSA membership not required)
• You do not need to have bought a  BDSA Liverpool Conference Ticket to enter
• Abstracts should be under 500 words, structured into Title, Background, Method, Results, and Conclusion
• Submit your abstract in PDF format to [email protected] by Wednesday 7 January 2026.

Follow our Instagram @bdsaresearchsummit for the most up to date news.

BDSA Sports Day 2026

Peninsula

Dates: 5-7 June 2026

We are delighted to convene our annual Sports Day at Peninsula Dental School. We have made sure to organise distinctive gathering that brings together rigorous scholarship, professional engagement, and the spirit of healthy competition in support of wellbeing. This year’s event is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Eden Project, and other venues in Cornwall. Offering truly exceptional venues and experience.

Focus and themes

Healthy competition and wellbeing: Our sports day is oriented toward promoting intrinsic motivation, physical health, and collegial challenge, rather than social spectacle.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: We emphasise meaningful connection and partnership with organisations active in community health and social care, such as NHS Trusts, Live Well Southwest, Peninsula dental social Enterprise, alongside our established sponsors and affiliates. We have also arranged for exceptional networking opportunities with our sponsors unlike any sports day before.

AGM and governance: In recognition of our organisational mission, we will host the AGM during this event, aligning governance with our core programme.

Why Attend

Participants will benefit from:

• Exposure to cutting-edge research and practice in allied fields of health, social care, and community wellbeing
• Opportunities for strategic networking with institutional partners committed to public health, care provision, and advocacy
• A unique experiential setting, immersed in nature, that supports reflection, renewal, and creative engagement.

A programme structure that bridges formal scholarship (conference) with applied activity (sports) under a shared ethos of wellbeing.

We invite colleagues, partner organisations, sponsors, and practitioners to join us in this integrated event that seeks not only to advance knowledge and practice, but to foster sustained partnerships across health, social care, and community sectors.