Dentistry Career Guide

Dentists monitor oral health, treat problems with the mouth and teeth, and educate people about oral hygiene. Dentists see a broad range of patients and can also specialise, for example, in orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, or surgery.Dentists work alongside other healthcare professionals, including dental nurses (also called dental assistants in the USA), hygienists and support workers. In this career guide, we’ll focus on two roles in dentistry: dentist and dental nurse.

References to dental nurses in this guide also apply to the role of dental assistants for US-based practitioners.

Potential Roles in Dentistry

Dentistry and dental nursing are professional careers that require specific qualifications and ongoing training. Both roles demand various skills due to the technical nature of the work and the constant communication with patients. Dentistry jobs are found in community practices, in hospitals, and for military personnel in their home country and abroad. Dentists can also work for governments in policy-making and public health roles.

Dentists see their patients regularly to help them maintain good oral and tooth health and to identify and address problems swiftly. As well as treating teeth, dentists are also trained to spot mouth abnormalities, including signs of cancer. A career as a dentist involves being responsible for patients and the team of healthcare professionals working under their supervision. Some dentists own the dental practice in which they work.

Dental nurses support dentists and can also provide complimentary dental services, like education and oral health maintenance. A dental nurse’s job mainly involves assisting the dentist in the clinic, for example, passing equipment, preparing the patient and keeping the clinic tidy and well-stocked.

Salary and Career Progression

Dentistry is a well-paid profession that is known for attracting high salaries. In the UK, dentists can be employed by the NHS or work as a contractor in a dental practice, treating NHS or private patients, or a combination of both.

Dentists employed by the NHS and working in community practices receive a salary of £43,000 to £92,000. Hospital roles can attract slightly higher wages of up to £115,000. Self-employed dentists with a mix of NHS and private patients can expect to earn around £50,000 to £100,00. In the US, dentist salaries vary considerably from state to state, with some averaging $50,000 and others reaching $250,000 or more.

There is considerable scope for career progression for dentists by buying a practice and employing other dentists or specialising in a particular field of dentistry. Current trends in aesthetic treatments mean that private dentists specialising in cosmetic dentistry can earn an incredibly lucrative income, both in the UK and the US.

Dental nurses earn lower salaries than dentists but also hold less responsibility. Newly qualified dental nurses in the UK can expect to earn around £23,000, rising to £45,000 with experience and promotions. The average salary for dental nurses in the US is around $40,500, although this can vary between states.

Career progression is possible by undertaking further training to become a hygienist, orthodontist therapist, or practice manager. Dental nurses can also consider moving into the armed forces to provide dental nursing care to military personnel. US-based dental nurses can progress to become a patient care manager or nursing director.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

Dentists are highly qualified professionals with advanced training and ongoing study requirements. Dentistry training is highly competitive. The following qualifications, education and experience are necessary:

UK

• 4-5 GCSEs in grades 5 and above
• 3 or more A Levels in high grades in relevant subjects, including biology and chemistry
• Bachelor’s degree in dentistry (5 years)
• Completion of the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) to access a dentistry course
• Registration with the General Dental Council

US

• College GPA of at least 3.5
• DAT score of at least 20
• Bachelor’s degree in dentistry (4 years), followed by dental school (4 years), on courses accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• A residency if you wish to specialise (2-6 years)
• Pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)
• Successful completion of Licensure in your state

Dental nurses must have the following qualifications, education and experience:

UK

• 4-5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above
• A Level 3 diploma in dental nursing OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related subject can be advantageous but is not compulsory
• If you already work in a dental practice, your employer may be willing to fund an apprenticeship in dental nursing
• Registration with the General Dental Council

US

• High School Diploma
• Completion of a dental assisting course recognised by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• A college degree in a relevant subject, like nursing or medicine, is advantageous but not compulsory
• A Master’s degree may be advantageous

Skills

Dentists must possess a wide range of hard and soft skills, including the following:

• Excellent communication skills
• Patience and empathy, particularly with anxious patients
• Manual dexterity
• Non-squeamish
• IT skills
• Good mathematical aptitude
• Willingness to undertake ongoing professional development

Dental nurses focus heavily on patient experience, so they must have the following skills:

• Excellent communication skills
• A calming manner
• Patience and empathy, especially with anxious patients
• Able to stay calm under pressure
• Non-squeamish
• Organised
• IT skills

Working Hours

For the most part, dentists can choose their working hours, mainly working office hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Dentists working in emergency care will be required to work around the clock, covering evenings, weekends and public holidays, including on-call work. Dental nurses do not cover emergency care as frequently as dentists, so they can typically work within standard hours. Both dentists and dental nurses may be expected to work into the early evening to treat patients attending after they finish work.

Notable Locations

As dentistry care is a universal requirement for public health, dentist practices can be found in most, if not all, towns and cities. Densely populated areas will naturally have a greater concentration of dentists to meet the needs of the local population. Some notable locations include:

• Minnesota
• Florida
• Arizona
• California
• New York
• London
• Manchester

Notable Companies

• National Health Service (NHS): UK healthcare provider and largest employer of healthcare professionals in the UK
• The Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK: Research centre and outpatient clinic based at University College London
• Rodericks Dental Partners, Nationwide, UK: NHS and private dental care across 200+ practices around the UK
• Mayo Clinic School of Dentistry, Minnesota, USA: Treats serious and complex dental cases in Florida, Arizona and Minnesota
• Columbia University of Dental Medicine, New York, USA: Specialises in dentistry research, education and treatment
• Western Dental & Orthodontics, California, USA: One of the largest dental services providers in the US, with almost 250 offices in multiple states

Next Steps

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