Dentistry

About Dentistry

Everyone wants pearly white teeth and a beautiful smile, this is the one of the aims of a dentistry. The role of a dentist is diverse, where they can help improve your teeth cosmetically or even help medically. Cosmetic changes will include tasks such as whitening teeth, aligning teeth (i.e. braces), installing replacement teeth etc... Medical changes involves procedures such as fillers (to fill in holes), root canal surgery (take out or clean up teeth roots), cleft lip surgery etc... This all means a dentist provides a important service because good teeth and a nice smile can change a persons demeanor completely.

Dentistry is a popular degree but has minimal places every year, therefore it is hard to get into. However, if you do enter a dentistry degree then be assured that you will always have a well paid and comfortable job.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements will vary from university to university, however, all will require ABB or higher with most asking for at least AAA. some universities may also require you to pass the UCAT test, which is a aptitude test.

GCSEs that suit this Degree

Regardless of what GCSEs you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain GCSEs will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of GCSEs which will help you with dentistry:

• English Language and Literature *(required)
• Mathematics *(required)
• Biology *(required)
• Chemistry *(required)

A-levels that suit this Degree

Regardless of what A-levels you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain A-levels will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of A-levels which will help you with dentistry:

• Biology *(required)
• Chemistry *(required)
• Physics

Duration of Degree

The duration of the degree is 5 years at dental school and one or two years of supervised training.

Who This Degree Suits?

Every degree will be enjoyable and suit different personalities, below is a list of characteristics and personalities which will enjoy the dentistry degree:

• Interested in medicine, teeth or human body
• Enjoy working on teeth or in dentist/surgery environment

Module /Topics

Dentistry has many topics that need to be covered, below is a list of the topics that will be in all university curriculums:

• Patient Assessment
• Radiology
• Oral biology
• Periodontology
• Digestive, renal and endocrine system
• Pediatric dentistry
• Healthcare ethics and law
• Clinical skills

Industry Sectors

Dentistry allows you too apply to different industries, below is a list of them:

• Private Dentistry
• NHS
• University
• Pharmaceutical
• Cosmetic surgeon

Types of Jobs

Dentistry degree allows you to apply to a wide variety of roles, below is a list of them:

• Private or NHS dentist
• Professor/Lecturer
• Medical/Dental researcher (academic or corporate)
• Cosmetic surgeon

Work hours and Salary

As a dentist graduate you will usually work up to 40 hours a week. The salary you will get will vary on your experience, below is the average expected salaries:

• Graduate can expect roughly £32,000 (during their training years) and after training between £37,000 - £48,000. If you go into other sectors than dentistry you can expect between £28,000 - £35,000;
• With experience (3-5 years) salaries will rise to £40,000 - £55,000;
• Senior level (4-6 years) can expect £50,000 - £110,000. If you go into the NHS and become a specialist consultant you can expect £80,000 to £110,000, if you go into general dental practice it can be between £50,000 and £100,000 and if you start your own private dental practice you can expect even more depending how good your practice does.