If you believe a career in dentistry is all about filling cavities, then you are wrong. There are a range of exciting options when it comes to a career in dentistry, such as working as a hygienist or an orthodontist, for example. If you are considering pursuing a career in dentistry, read on to discover whether the dental profession is an ideal fit for both you and your lifestyle.
What are the different career options?
Dentists do not particularly specialise in a particular area, which means that they have a range of knowledge and different abilities. This ensures that what you are working on can change daily, paving the way for an exciting career. If you do not decide to become a general dental practitioner, you may wish to specialise in orthodontics, which focuses on the alignment of the teeth and jaw, cosmetic dentistry, or periodontics, which focuses on the gums. You may also wish to become a dental assistant, work as part of the PR and office team, or become a laboratory technician, assisting with services such as x-rays.
Can I open my own practice?
It is possible to start up your own dental practice with the right level of experience and marketing skills. Like any business, you will need to create a concise business plan as well as raise funds to buy your practice, along with advertising your practice to potential clients in your local area. For example, if you specialize in dealing with kids like Kaleidoscope Kids Dentistry, you may want to promote your business for its kid-friendly approach. If you yourself are considering opening your own dental practice, Kent Express can provide you with the dental products that you need to succeed. As one of the most reliable and trusted dental suppliers in the UK, their team of advisors work with practices to establish the best equipment for their needs.
What qualifications do I need?
You will need to complete at least 5 years of an undergraduate degree in Dentistry to become a dentist, which includes working as a dental student alongside professional dentists in working practices. Dentistry is usually run by specialist dental schools, and you may have to sit a number of tests, such as the BioMedical Admissions test, to get a place.
What is the typical income of dentists?
Dentistry is a profession in which you are guaranteed a stable income. Newly qualified, you will make an average of £31,000 a year. However, NHS practitioners yearly make between £38,000 and £83,000. This increases if you conduct private examinations or are self-employed, where you can make over £140,000 on an annual basis.
Will it suit my lifestyle?
If you want to become a dentist, you must be entirely committed to your career. Although you can arrange your hours around your personal life if you are self-employed, if you work in a hospital or as a practitioner, the hours can be long, and you may be on-call at any hour of the day. Not only this, but the length of training means that you must be entirely committed to your goal to become a dentist before you become fully qualified.
