Studying Dentistry

The condition of our teeth can often relate to the lifestyle we live. Excellent dental care is therefore essential to living a healthy life, making dentists an invaluable asset to ensuring the wellbeing of the general population.

Dentistry is a challenging and rewarding career that requires an extensive knowledge of anatomy and oral disease. However, dentists must also possess the communication skills needed for working in a caring profession in a vast range of settings. Dentists can be based in the community, such as working in a high street dental practice or children’s clinic, in a public health role analysing population needs, in a dental hospital providing specialist care or working in the armed forces.

Some dentists may choose to work as clinical academics, who work both in universities teaching dental students or conducting research, and in the NHS providing care to patients.

In order to become a dentist, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree (either BDS or BChD) at a dental school. The dentistry applications section outlines what you will need to know before applying to dental school and the routes available after graduation.