A dentist has the opportunity to pursue several careers offering intellectual and practical challenge, service to society and a respected place in the community. Essential qualities are a liking for people and an interest in their welfare, as well as good eyesight and manual dexterity.
Oral and dental health is a very important part of general health. The ability to smile, eat and talk without pain, discomfort or embarrassment contributes greatly to a sense of well being. Dentists are health care professionals who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems that affect the mouth and teeth. This demands diagnostic, clinical and social skills. Some dentists will become teachers or lecturers in dental schools, others will be employed in hospitals, or community clinics but most will become general dental practitioners. Often, they will be managing a team of people encompassing dental nurses, hygienists, receptionists and others so good administrative and managerial abilities are needed.
Qualifications
There are fourteen dental schools in the UK each located in a major city. Dental courses last 5 years and leads to a bachelor's degree (either BDS or BChD). The courses include a sound academic education combined with theoretical and practical training in all aspects of dental practice. Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, behavioural sciences and dental materials science, as well as clinical skills in all dental disciplines. The academic requirements for entrance to Dental School are high. They vary according to the School and so should be checked individually.
Some dental schools offer a 'pre-dental' year for suitable candidates lacking the relevant science subjects.
Once qualified, dentists continue to update and further their knowledge, through a wide range of short courses. There is also the possibility of studying for further postgraduate qualifications, sometimes on a part-time basis.
Practice
After qualification there are a variety of areas in which you can choose to practise.
General dental practice
Most dentists, after graduating, choose to work as general dental practitioners (GDPs). The first step is to undertake one year's 'vocational training', which is supervised training, working in an approved training practice. Following vocational training, dentists usually enter an established general practice as an associate, i.e. as a self-employed dentist, responsible for the treatment that they provide but working in a practice owned by someone else. Later on a dentist may often become a practice owner, either becoming a partner, buying a practice or establishing a new practice. Like a medical general practitioner, you have the opportunity to form long term relationships with your patients and provide them with continuing care. As well as an ability to get on well with people and for clinical dentistry, it is essential to have an aptitude for business, since the dentist is a manager and team leader running a small business.
There is no formal general dental practice career structure, so you can further your knowledge at your own pace and follow the particular dental specialities that are of interest to you.
GDPs can choose where they work and the hours they keep. They may practise under the National Health Service or privately - most dentists see a mixture of NHS and private patients. Treatment for adults under the National Health Service is paid for under a fee per item basis: the dentist receives a set fee for each procedure carried out. For children, dentists are paid by a mixture of fees for each item of treatment and monthly payments for each child on their list. Private fees are set by each dentist individually and vary according to individual practice circumstances.
Although being a self-employed general dental practitioner is demanding and there are risks involved in running your own business, it can be the most rewarding area of practice.
Hospital Dentistry
Hospital practice is highly specialised and covers oral surgery, restorative dentistry, children's dentistry and orthodontics. Hospital dentists send to see fewer patients than general dental practitioners, but their treatment is usually more complex as they have generally been referred by a general dental practitioner or doctor. Patients may be referred with complex medical conditions, or congenital abnormalities or complex facial injuries.
Unlike general dental practitioners hospital dentists receive a salary. They generally work as part of a team and have access to specialised knowledge and facilities. However, the hours are not as flexible and time will be spent 'on call' resulting in long working sessions.
Within the hospital service there is a defined careers structure and training pathways, and advancement requires obtaining recognised postgraduate qualifications.
Community dental service
The Community dental service (CDS) provides dental care for patients with special needs. In particular the CDS looks after young children who need special help, as well as elderly and housebound people and patients with mental or physical disabilities. Work in the CDS is therefore demanding but very rewarding and dentists can undertake managerial and research duties. As with the hospital service, these posts are salaried and there is a defined career structure.
Armed forces
Dentists in the armed forces provide a comprehensive service for service men and women, both abroad and in the UK. Dentists hold a commissioned rank and there is a very structured career path. If you choose to practice in the armed forces, financial scholarships may be available during your dental studies.
Dentists in industry
Some large companies (e.g. oil companies) offer a dental serviced to their employees. These posts are salaried but the role is equivalent to that of a general dental practitioner.
University teaching and research
Research is undertaken at universities and is usually combined with teaching at the university dental school. This can provide the opportunity to pursue a particular interest in great detail. University dental teachers will have gained postgraduate qualifications and can progress to become senior lecturers or professors.
Registration and Professional Ethics
On qualifying and before being able to practise, dentists must register with the General Dental Council, the profession's governing body. Dentist must follow ethical guidelines in their dealings with patients and failure to do so may call their continued registration into question.
Oral and dental health is a very important part of general health. The ability to smile, eat and talk without pain, discomfort or embarrassment contributes greatly to a sense of well being. Dentists are health care professionals who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems that affect the mouth and teeth. This demands diagnostic, clinical and social skills. Some dentists will become teachers or lecturers in dental schools, others will be employed in hospitals, or community clinics but most will become general dental practitioners. Often, they will be managing a team of people encompassing dental nurses, hygienists, receptionists and others so good administrative and managerial abilities are needed.
Qualifications
There are fourteen dental schools in the UK each located in a major city. Dental courses last 5 years and leads to a bachelor's degree (either BDS or BChD). The courses include a sound academic education combined with theoretical and practical training in all aspects of dental practice. Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, behavioural sciences and dental materials science, as well as clinical skills in all dental disciplines. The academic requirements for entrance to Dental School are high. They vary according to the School and so should be checked individually.
Some dental schools offer a 'pre-dental' year for suitable candidates lacking the relevant science subjects.
Once qualified, dentists continue to update and further their knowledge, through a wide range of short courses. There is also the possibility of studying for further postgraduate qualifications, sometimes on a part-time basis.
Practice
After qualification there are a variety of areas in which you can choose to practise.
General dental practice
Most dentists, after graduating, choose to work as general dental practitioners (GDPs). The first step is to undertake one year's 'vocational training', which is supervised training, working in an approved training practice. Following vocational training, dentists usually enter an established general practice as an associate, i.e. as a self-employed dentist, responsible for the treatment that they provide but working in a practice owned by someone else. Later on a dentist may often become a practice owner, either becoming a partner, buying a practice or establishing a new practice. Like a medical general practitioner, you have the opportunity to form long term relationships with your patients and provide them with continuing care. As well as an ability to get on well with people and for clinical dentistry, it is essential to have an aptitude for business, since the dentist is a manager and team leader running a small business.
There is no formal general dental practice career structure, so you can further your knowledge at your own pace and follow the particular dental specialities that are of interest to you.
GDPs can choose where they work and the hours they keep. They may practise under the National Health Service or privately - most dentists see a mixture of NHS and private patients. Treatment for adults under the National Health Service is paid for under a fee per item basis: the dentist receives a set fee for each procedure carried out. For children, dentists are paid by a mixture of fees for each item of treatment and monthly payments for each child on their list. Private fees are set by each dentist individually and vary according to individual practice circumstances.
Although being a self-employed general dental practitioner is demanding and there are risks involved in running your own business, it can be the most rewarding area of practice.
Hospital Dentistry
Hospital practice is highly specialised and covers oral surgery, restorative dentistry, children's dentistry and orthodontics. Hospital dentists send to see fewer patients than general dental practitioners, but their treatment is usually more complex as they have generally been referred by a general dental practitioner or doctor. Patients may be referred with complex medical conditions, or congenital abnormalities or complex facial injuries.
Unlike general dental practitioners hospital dentists receive a salary. They generally work as part of a team and have access to specialised knowledge and facilities. However, the hours are not as flexible and time will be spent 'on call' resulting in long working sessions.
Within the hospital service there is a defined careers structure and training pathways, and advancement requires obtaining recognised postgraduate qualifications.
Community dental service
The Community dental service (CDS) provides dental care for patients with special needs. In particular the CDS looks after young children who need special help, as well as elderly and housebound people and patients with mental or physical disabilities. Work in the CDS is therefore demanding but very rewarding and dentists can undertake managerial and research duties. As with the hospital service, these posts are salaried and there is a defined career structure.
Armed forces
Dentists in the armed forces provide a comprehensive service for service men and women, both abroad and in the UK. Dentists hold a commissioned rank and there is a very structured career path. If you choose to practice in the armed forces, financial scholarships may be available during your dental studies.
Dentists in industry
Some large companies (e.g. oil companies) offer a dental serviced to their employees. These posts are salaried but the role is equivalent to that of a general dental practitioner.
University teaching and research
Research is undertaken at universities and is usually combined with teaching at the university dental school. This can provide the opportunity to pursue a particular interest in great detail. University dental teachers will have gained postgraduate qualifications and can progress to become senior lecturers or professors.
Registration and Professional Ethics
On qualifying and before being able to practise, dentists must register with the General Dental Council, the profession's governing body. Dentist must follow ethical guidelines in their dealings with patients and failure to do so may call their continued registration into question.
