Dentistry is a relatively popular career choice for a lot of students. It can be a lucrative career too. Luckily, it is a career that has a pretty straightforward trajectory. The route into the career is pretty standard. If you are thinking about a career in dentistry, then read on to learn all about the entry requirements.
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A Brief Overview
To become a dentist, a person has to study for at least five years to earn their degree. This is then followed by a couple of years of working under supervision at a practice. The truth is that winning a dental school position can be incredibly competitive. Most of the time, the schools will require stellar grades at A-Level to consider an applicant. However, if you do not get the grades you need, there is always the possibility of undertaking a foundation course to better your chances.
In addition to meeting all of the academic entry requirements to access the course, you also need to be willing to learn about anatomy and oral disease. If you don’t have a strong stomach, you may not do well. All dental team members need to have this knowledge, although as a dentist, yours will need to be a lot more thorough. You need to be prepared to be constantly learning over time methods and theories change, and you need to be able to keep up regardless of whether you are already qualified or not.
Dentists work closely with the public. Therefore, you need to be a people person. A fear of the dentists is incredibly common; you need to be comfortable putting your patients at ease. Are you able to gain their confidence and make them feel safe with you? As a dentist, you have a position of trust. It is important that you do everything you can to earn it. Therefore, your communication skills need to be up to par.
The Training & Development
As a rule of thumb, dental education is made up of three stages. The first stage is the undergraduate degree. This stage takes the longest. To qualify as a dentist, you need to study for five years to receive your degree. During this time, you learn a lot of practical skills in addition to lectures and seminars. It helps to build your knowledge base and provide you with some valuable experience.
The next stage is postgraduate degrees. Not everyone will choose to do this. Some people skip this and go straight into the world of work. However, if you are leaning towards a specialism, then a postgraduate degree is a must. For example, you could choose to apply for a postgraduate orthodontics course. These courses can be undertaken alongside working while you gain more experience, and they don’t necessarily have to be undertaken in person. They can be done online via somewhere like the London Dental Institute.
After this, it is into the professional environment. Your training and development continues as you gain more experience. You will also need to register with the GDC or general dental council. It allows you to practise as a dentist. The GDC is the regulating body that sets the standard for British dentistry.
Summary
Any career in the medical profession requires a lot of training, and dentistry is no different. If you are considering a career in this field, then you need to know what is required of you. It is not a quick process by any stretch; it requires commitment.
