tools in even smaller places, so good dexterity is a definite advantage. And you will need to be pretty organised when it comes to paperwork and admin; accurate and up-to-date patient records are vital to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment. As you progress in your career, you may also need management skills, to run a practice or manage a team around you. The good news is that many of these abilities you can learn and develop.


For most people working as Dentists or dental specialists, they will have started their training with a degree in dentistry. Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A Level being preferred qualifying subjects. A dental degree typically lasts five years; a few University dental schools offer a four- year course for students with appropriate prior qualifications, such as a degree in Biomedical Science.


Once you’ve completed your degree, if you want to work as a Dentist, you need to register with the General Dental Council, the profession’s governing body who specify ethical guidelines and codes of practice that all dentists must follow in order to practice in the UK, including a requirement for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Most UK dental graduates


will then go on to complete their Dental Foundation Training (DFT), which involves a year employed in a dental practice, combining supervised experience with further studies. Dentists who want to work in the NHS must have completed this training.


Having completed the DFT, there are a number of choices a dentist can make. Most will go on to work in a dental practice offering a mix of NHS and private treatments. Some may work in a hospital or the community; there are also opportunities for dentists in the Armed Forces or a corporate organisation. Further studies are possible to specialise in a particular aspect of the profession, such as oral surgery, periodontics or sedation.


To qualify as a dentist does take time and hard work, but it can see great financial rewards. Lots of people work alongside dentists or within the profession. Here’s some of them – Cosmetic Dentist, Dental Nurse, Dental Receptionist, Dental Therapist, Endodontist, Hygienist, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Orthodontist, Periodontist. For more details on these Careers and the training required, visit the Careers section of our website, www.makethefutureyours.com


Advertise here and reach thousands of young people across the region (and their parents)


If you would like to talk to and influence thousands of 15-19 year olds across the region plus their parents and guardians, contact us today. We’ll tell you all about the advertising and sponsorship opportunities available in this new magazine.


To connect to this important audience, email: hello@makethefutureyours.com or call us on 02394 004042


Make The Future Yours! Issue 1 19


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