Applications and admissions to UK dental schools through UCCA: 1968-1987.

Applications and admissions to UK dental schools through the UCCA system have been analysed for the 20-year period from 1968 to 1987. Applications rose from 1225 in 1968 to a peak of 3065 in 1974. By 1987, applications had fallen to 2050, 67% of the peak number. The ratio of male:female applicants has declined from 4:1 in 1968 to 1.6:1 in 1987. The number of dental students accepted through UCCA has varied much less during the 20-year period, rising from 831 in 1968 to a peak of 989 in 1980, and falling back to 893 in 1987. The number of dental students admitted to dental schools through UCCA in the 4 years including and after 1984 was 7.4% less than in the 4 years prior to 1984. This suggests that the 1984 cut of 10% was not fully achieved. The ratio of male:female students admitted has fallen from 3.4:1 in 1968 to 1.4:1 in 1987. In every year studied, the male:female ratio of UCCA applicants was higher than for accepted dental students. This could suggest that female applicants to dental school have higher academic or personal qualities than their male counterparts.