Background: Research has shown that Professional Practice Placement (PPP) is an important part of the learning process. Experts noted that it advanced the learning skills, confidence and professional competency and ensured a smooth transfer to the workplace. This study explored: The DN graduates’ views of their work placement experience. Research examined the graduates’ views, perceptions and experiences related to PPP. The value in the preparation for employment was also investigated. In addition, the researcher explored the graduates’ perceptions of learning, during the placement experience, supporting these insights into the value of PPP with relevant literature. This study focused on: The graduates’ perspective. Literature obtained targeted both the students’ and employers’ perspective of PPP but not the DN graduates. This lack of evidence in the value of PPP from a DN perspective led the researcher to a niche discovery thereby justifying the need for this research from the graduates’ viewpoint of PPP which proved to be very enlightening. While the research primarily concentrated on the graduates’ perceptions and those of the employers (dentists), it also explored the findings of relevant theorists and the relationship with these experts in the field of learning and its application to practice. This study focused on student-centred learning and the relevance of PPP from their perspective. This research is exploratory in nature, based on the graduates’ experience of PPP rather than on a specific hypothesis or assumption. For that reason, the positioning of this study is located within a phenomenological paradigm using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The research is divided into four xxiii phases. The tools used were on-line questionnaire, focus group interview, individual interviews with DN graduates and written questionnaires from dentists. The study found: The graduates’ perceptions of PPP gave an insight into their preparation prior to PPP. They noted that stress and worry were factors in their lives before and during PPP but emphasised the overall experience was valuable and that it had many benefits. Graduates noted the learning achieved both in class and practice were important factors in the process of professional preparation, and the building of confidence and communication skills in preparation for employment. Conclusion: This research has provided a significant insight into learners’ experience and value of PPP from a postgrad and the dental professionals’ perspectives. This has developed novel data that has not been previously been reported. It highlights the need for on-going evaluation of the educational process which direct and influence learners’ experiences. AIT strategy has focused on a student-centred approach. This should underpin the whole PPP to maximise its potential as an educational tool in the preparation of the student for smooth transfer into the workplace. The potential of PPP requires optimisation through on-going research so that the learner gains the professional training in practice to qualify as a confident and competent DN prepared to work in any type of dental practice no matter what challenges they encounter.