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Healthcare

Dentist

Dentists examine, diagnose and treat oral health problems. You need a dental degree recognised for registration and must register with the General Dental Council (GDC). Entry requirements vary between dental schools.

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Career fit

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Entry level
£55,000 (starter)
Mid-career (typical)
£55k – £117k
Senior / lead
£117,000 (experienced)
What you'll do

A day in the life

  • Examine patients' teeth and gums
  • Carry out fillings, extractions and root canals
  • Take and read X-rays
  • Advise on oral health
  • Lead a team of dental nurses and hygienists
The path

Your career roadmap

Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.

  1. 1

    GCSEs

    education
    Usually 2 years; resit courses may be shorter

    Build a strong grounding in science, maths and English, checking GCSE requirements for dental schools and post-16 courses.

  2. 2

    A Levels or equivalent

    education
    Usually 2 years

    Study A levels or accepted equivalents, usually including required sciences, and prepare for admissions tests and interviews where required.

  3. 3

    Dental degree

    qualification
    Usually 5 years overall; gateway and graduate-entry routes vary

    Begin a GDC-approved dental degree covering oral health, biomedical science, practical techniques and patient care.

  4. 4

    Clinical dental training

    experience
    Integrated throughout the degree; timing varies by course

    Develop clinical skills through simulation and supervised patient treatment as an integrated part of your dental degree.

  5. 5

    Dental degree completion

    qualification
    Final part of the degree; not an additional course

    Complete your degree's final academic and clinical assessments and obtain the dental qualification needed for a GDC registration application.

  6. 6

    Foundation / supervised dental training

    experience
    Usually 1 year full-time

    After obtaining GDC registration, undertake paid foundation or vocational training with supervised patient care, teaching and assessment.

  7. 7

    GDC registration

    certification
    Processing times vary; apply before your intended start date

    Apply to join the GDC dentists register after graduation; this must happen before foundation training, despite its position in this roadmap.

  8. 8

    Dentist / specialist progression

    role
    Ongoing; specialist training takes additional years

    Work as a registered dentist, maintain professional standards and develop experience before pursuing further training or specialist roles.

What you need

Skills you'll build

Qualifications
  • GDC-recognised dental degree
Certifications
  • GDC registration