Dentist

Introduction

Dentists treat diseases of the teeth and gums. They drill, prepare and fill cavities, extract decayed teeth, fit dentures, scale and polish teeth, and advise on dental care. They may work in general practice, the community or hospitals. This is a popular occupation, which requires five years of study.

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Work Activities

The dentist studies the patient's past history of dental care and examines the mouth and teeth, sometimes using X-rays, to detect gum disease or tooth decay. Typical routine treatment includes:
• injecting or spraying the gum with local anaesthetic
• drilling, preparing and filling cavities
• extracting decayed or septic teeth
• scaling and polishing teeth
• advising on oral hygiene.

The dentist may treat irregular teeth by fitting appliances such as braces or may replace teeth by fitting crowns, bridges or dentures. Sometimes they carry out surgery on diseased gums and infected roots to help preserve teeth. Newly qualified dentists entering general practice usually begin their career as an associate in a group practice, where they can receive support from more experienced colleagues.

Dentists in the community dental service are responsible for the treatment of priority groups such as young children, expectant mothers and adults with physical or mental impairments. They work in local clinics and may travel to locations such as schools, day centres and residential homes to carry out inspections and advise on dental health education.

Some dentists work in the dental department of general hospitals. Newly qualified dentists begin their career as house officers and progress through the grades of house officer, registrar, senior registrar and assistant dental surgeon to consultant status. During this period, they combine work with study for one of the dental specialisms, which involves taking further examinations.

Dentists specialising in orthodontics treat the more complex cases of crooked or missing teeth, fitting appliances to correct these and advising dentists in general practice.

Dentists specialising in oral and maxillo-facial surgery treat injuries to the face or serious diseases of the teeth and gums.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need good communication skills and a sympathetic nature, to help put nervous patients at ease. You should be able to think logically and handle delicate dental instruments with a steady hand. You need good eyesight.

An interest and academic ability in science is essential.

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Pay and Opportunities

Dentists who work in the National Health Service (NHS) are paid on a rising scale.

From April 1, 2008
• during the vocational training year, a dentist earns £29,433
• a hospital dentist or a public health dentist doing NHS work on a salary earns on a scale which runs from £33,768 - £ 52,893 for a Band 1 Salaried Dental Practitioner, and then from £48,254 - £65,214 for a Band 2 Senior Salaried Dental Practitioner
• a dentist consultant can earn up to £99,000 a year
• a self-employed general dental practitioner contracted to the NHS generally earns around £80,000 a year.

Most dentists in general practice and those who work in the community, work 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday. They may also work on Saturdays and provide 24-hour emergency cover.

In hospitals, working hours vary depending on the dentist's speciality, but may include evening and weekend work.

Around 27,500 dentists work throughout the UK. There is still a shortage of dentists across Scotland, with 51% of adults not registered with an NHS dentist.

As well as general practice, there are opportunities in the hospital dental service, in the community dental service, in universities as teachers and researchers and in the armed forces.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you are already a graduate with a degree (minimum 2:1) in a relevant subject, for example, life or medical sciences, entry is possible to dental school, although places can be limited.

Five centres (Aberdeen University, Liverpool School of Dental Surgery, London, Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London and The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Plymouth) run a four-year graduate-entry course for entrants with a good honours degree in a biomedically-related subject or one that is relevant to health care professionals. Applicants who have developed relevant knowledge and skills through working in a related health care profession can also apply.

Entry with a non-relevant degree subject is possible, but only with good science Highers or equivalent including Chemistry.

Sources of funding include Department of Health means-tested bursaries for graduate students on shortened or fast-track medical degree courses (years two, three and four only).

Graduate students on standard medicine degree courses only receive a means-tested bursary and payment of tuition fees for year five.

Some cadetships are also available for the latter years of a dental degree from the armed forces.

See section on Entry Routes and Training for details of the Dental bursary Scheme for students studying a Dentistry (BDS) degree at Dundee or Glasgow universities. The bursary scheme is managed by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

• 70% of dentists are self-employed.
• 30% work part-time.

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