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Dentist

Alternative titles for this job include Dental surgeon, dental practitioner

Dentists promote good oral hygiene, diagnose and treat teeth and mouth problems and help prevent dental disease

Average salary (a year)

£53,000 Starter

to

£112,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

as a contractor / self-employed managing your own hours

Meet Neil

Find out about the skills Neil has gained during his career.

2 minute watch

View transcript

I'm Neil Sikka. I am a dentist here at Bupa Dental Care in central London. I'm the chief dental officer for our insurance business, and I'm the director of dentistry for our Bupa Dental Care Clinics.

So my journey started at Leeds University over 35 years ago. And when I qualified, I came straight down to London and I worked in the east end of London in the Roman Road in Bethnal Green.

I had a couple of years there learning seeing a lot of patients from different backgrounds and really trying to develop my skills because I think what people don't realise is that you do 5 years at university, but actually when you qualify, that's when you're really just starting to learn.

I think being able to be creative and people don't necessarily understand that. But we as dentists, we're like, when we're when we're doing restorations on teeth, we're trying to do the best thing we possibly can to create the form and the function in a beautiful format so that not only does it last a long time, but it also looks nice, too.

You can be a general dentist, you can be a specialist. You can be someone like myself that does a bit of everything. You can be an orthodontist, that's someone that just effectively straightens teeth and fixes people's bites. Um, you can be an endodontist, which is someone that just does root fillings all day long.

You know, it is quite difficult because people historically hate going to the dentist. So, when you have this fear in every patient you see, has this has this potential anxiety and fear and your job is to allay those fears. It can be quite hard if you're not a, somebody that likes people.

I think you can learn the skills, but it it's always a big plus if you enjoy using your hands, and doing things, whatever that may be. Painting, playing music.

I really enjoy making a difference to people's lives, and I, and I'm in a a very privileged position to be able to do that. And that’s incredibly fulfilling.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

You'll need to complete a 5-year degree in dentistry approved by the General Dental Council, followed by 1 to 2 years of postgraduate dental training.

You might be able to do a 4-year degree course if you already have a degree in a relevant subject, for example biomedical sciences.

When you apply for a course in dentistry, you may be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).

It tests the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

You might be able to apply for a 4-year dental degree course if you've already got at least an upper second class degree (2:1) in biology, chemistry or a biomedical subject.

There's a lot of competition for places at dental schools.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

More Information

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dentist from the British Dental Association and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • customer service skills
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to read English
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You will:

  • lead a dental team to diagnose and treat dental problems
  • see patients for routine check ups
  • perform treatments like fillings, extractions and fitting dentures and bridges
  • whiten teeth
  • take X-rays and give local anaesthetics
  • refer patients to a dental hygienist or dental therapist

Working environment

You could work at a dental practice, at a health centre or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

As a dentist in general practice you could go on to become a partner in the practice or set up your own practice.

In hospital dental services, you can follow the same career structure and training pathway as a hospital doctor. For example, you could also specialise in implant or paediatric dentistry.

You could serve as a dentist in the armed forces. You can find more information on dentistry in the military from the:

As a consultant, you'll often find work opportunities in the private sector.

With experience, you could lead a team, or manage a unit or department.

You could also progress to teaching and training student dentists and other healthcare professionals.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dentist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Innovation code, Entry Level, Medicine and Dentistry, 2 credits, PW B

  • Provider: SIREN TRAINING LTD
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: LONDON

Pottery - TRY A NEW CRAFT: Spr Wed 19.00-21.15

  • Provider: OAKLANDS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 14 January 2026
  • Location: St. Albans
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