Planit


Dentist

Dentist Image

Dentists examine patients’ teeth and mouth to look for signs of decay or disease. They then treat any decay or disease to prevent the patient being in pain.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Useful Subjects

Getting In

Entry is competitive. You need to study for a degree in dentistry (SCQF Level 10) from an approved dental school, which usually takes 5 years. This gives you registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), which you need to practise as a dentist in the UK.

Most dentists in Scotland are self-employed, working in general practice, doing a mixture of NHS and private work. There are also jobs in community dentistry, particularly in schools and in the armed services.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2024
2381
8.4 %
RISE
2029
2580
  United Kingdom
2024
20957
7.2 %
RISE
2029
22476

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What Does it Take?

You should be:

If you work in general practice you should have good business skills.

Training

Getting On

More Information

The University of Dundee offers a unique three day Dental Insight programme running every June. To be eligible for a place you must be an S5 secondary school pupil studying in Scotland, and be on track to achieve the minimum entrance requirements to study dentistry at the University of Dundee.

Dental students in Scotland can apply for the Dental Student Support Grant (DSSG). This provides £4,000 each year for those whose annual household income is less than £34,000 a year. They must commit to working in NHS Dentistry in Scotland after graduation. Full information is available on the www.mygov.scot website.

Video

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

British Dental Association (BDA)
Tel: 01786 476040
E-mail: enquiries@bda.org
Website: http://www.bda.org
Twitter: @TheBDA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebritishdentalassociation

NHS Scotland Careers
Website: http://www.careers.nhs.scot
Website (2): https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/
Twitter: @NHSScotCareers

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Career Area

Health and Medicine

Career Sectors

Alternative Medicine

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