Sir, we read with interest the recent article entitled 'The current dental school applicant: an overview of the admission process for UK dental schools and the sociodemographic status of applicants'.1

As BDS and BSc Programme Directors, and the Admissions Tutor, in the School of Dentistry at the University of Liverpool, we would like to correct an inaccuracy within the information provided. The authors state: 'Liverpool University provides a foundation year with the aim of consolidating the acquired skills and knowledge to study dentistry. The applicants are required to reapply to the undergraduate dentistry course, following completion of the one-year course, separately'.

The University of Liverpool does offer a year zero foundation programme for dentistry. This allows mature applicants, or those who have undertaken qualifications that do not traditionally facilitate entry to dentistry, the opportunity for an alternative route to a dental career. Interviews to determine the suitability of candidates for entry to either the BDS or BSc Dental Therapy programme take place before admission to the foundation programme. Places on the foundation programme are offered to those who meet the academic requirements for that programme, but who are also judged at interview to be suitable for admission to the BDS or BSc programmes. Students who successfully complete the year zero foundation programme commence directly onto the BDS or the BSc Dental Therapy programme without the requirement for another application or another interview.

A number of schools accept students from the national Realising Opportunities programme2 and offer contextual admissions.3 These measures aim to widen participation and broaden the sociodemographic status of dental applicants.