Dental Courses

Dental – Overview

General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) are self-employed as performers or providers of National Health Service (NHS) dental services. These practices may be under the NHS or private and most dentists run mixed practices. Specialists in oral medicine and oral maxillofacial surgery are qualified in both dentistry and medicine.

Dentists also can have a contract of employment with the Salaried Primary Dental Care Services (SPDCS). Salaried dentists may work in a variety of clinical settings, such as, health authority surgeries, mobile clinics and residential homes.

Expected Salary

• £28, 600+ - Vocational Dental Practitioner (VDP)
• £60, 000 – £141, 000 - Senior Dentist with experience
• £71, 000 – £161, 000 - Consultants
• £36,000 – £77,000 - Salaries in the CDS/SPDCS

Training

Many dental graduates start with General Professional Training (GPT). GPT is a recently introduced qualification, which is structured to both junior hospital posts and vocational training for general dental practice. It is a requirement for UK dental school graduates to complete the VT year in order to be able to work in NHS primary dental care.

Courses for specialist qualifications in areas such as orthodontics, implant dentistry and aesthetic dentistry are available on the Underoak website.

Related Careers

• Dental hygienist
• Dental technician
• Dental surgeon
• Doctor - general practice
• Physiotherapist
• Radiographer - diagnostic
• Radiographer - therapeutic
• Speech and language therapist

Useful Links

Dental Guide

British Dental Association

NHS Student Bursaries

Core Skills

It is essential to be qualified in a five-year degree in dentistry (BDS or BChD) to practice as a dentist. Entry to the course requires high grades at A-level/Highers in chemistry, biology and physics or mathematics. The course combines a mixture of academic with theoretical and practical training in all aspects of dental practice.

It is essential to demonstrate the following skills:

• Strong academic ability
• Self-discipline
• Manual dexterity and technical dental skills, plus the ability to maintain intense concentration for prolonged periods
• The ability to build relationships with patients and colleagues
• High level communication and interpersonal skills
• An interest in the welfare of others and a sympathetic manner
• Good administrative and managerial abilities
• Information technology skills
• Good eyesight

Job Sites

Average working hours per week

Job Spotlight

Dentist

The Role

Most dentists work as self-employed practitioners in general practice, providing dental care to the public under the National Health Service (NHS) and/or privately. Others work in salaried posts within a variety of specialisms in hospital dentistry, community dentistry, the armed forces, corporate practices, industry, or university teaching and research.

A General Dental Practitioner (GDP) typically leads a team made up of Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) and treats a wide range of patients, from children to the elderly.

Most dentists work in dental practices where, in addition to the dentist(s), the dental team may include a receptionist, dental nurse, dental hygienist, dental therapist and dental technician. Some practices also employ practice managers so that dentists can concentrate on clinical work.

A dentist is typically responsible for:

• Educating patients on oral health care
• Examining teeth and diagnosing patients' dental conditions, using tools such as X-rays
• Assessing treatment options and agreeing treatment plans with patients
• Carrying out agreed clinical treatments, such as treating gum disease, restoring teeth affected by decay, etc
• Maintaining patients' dental records
• Recruiting, training and managing staff
• Managing budgets and maintaining stocks of equipment

Hospital dentists usually treat patients who have been referred by a General Dental Practitioner (GDP) and therefore dental care is more specialised and complex. Additional postgraduate qualifications are required for career progression.

Dental officers working in the Salaried Primary Dental Care Service (SPDCS) are employed by primary care trusts and provide dental care to adults and children with special needs and disabilities, as well as providing school visits.

Dentists in the armed forces hold a commissioned rank and provide a comprehensive range of dental services for armed forces personnel and their families, both in the UK and abroad.

Salary:

• £28,600 - Vocational Dental Practitioner (VDP)
• £60,000 – £141,000 - Senior dentist with experience

Career Development

Most dentists choose to become self-employed General Dental Practitioners (GDPs). However consulting is also one of the options that some may want to choose, e.g. consultants in the hospital dental service, salaried posts such as Community Dental Service (CDS), corporate practices, the armed forces or academia.

A graduate entering general practice may start in a one-year salaried post as a Vocational Dental Practitioner (VDP). Most dentists eventually go on to own and run their own practice as General Dental Practitioners (GDPs).

Dentists working in universities with dental schools and teaching hospitals can, with relevant postgraduate qualifications, progress to a senior lectureship or professorial post.