Dentist

Dentist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

As a dentist, you will typically be examining the dental and oral hygiene of patients, and either offering the appropriate advice, or carrying out the appropriate surgeries. Other tasks may include:

• operating technical gear such as X-rays
• keeping an accurate record of a patient’s dental structure (which may need to be used to identify an individual)
• keeping up-to-date with developments in your field
• working with a medical nurse and a medical receptionist
• continuing training and specialising

You may be required to work some overtime and weekend slots, but hours tend to be a lot more regular than those of medical doctors.

Typical employers of dentists

Dentists are typically employed by the NHS or by a private practice. Dentists working for the HNS earn a basic salary of between £37,714 and £80,674. NHS Dental consultants and earn a basic salary of between £74,504 and £100,446 per year. Salaries for an associate dentist in a private practice can be anything between £30,000 and £200,000 depending on location.

Qualifications and training required

In order to work as a dentist you will need to have a degree as a Batchelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). This is typically a five year course with high entry requirements, usually including one or two sciences. There are a few accelerated four-year courses for graduates who already have a 2.1 in subjects like chemistry or biology. Before you start work you will also be required to take a Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT).

Key skills for Dentists

• communication
• patience
• a thorough and methodical approach
• ability to work long hours, often under pressure
• good ethical grounding
• team-working skills