Encouraging the next generation of dentists
Armed with extracted teeth and her skull from University days (students have to learn the Latin names for each hole in the skull and what nerves and blood vessels pass through them) Cathy joined the health care section at the Abingdon Careers Convention to talk to students about a career in dentistry. It was a delight to be reunited for the evening with the lovely Anand Gupta who used to work in Eynsham Dental Care before setting up his own practice in Swindon.
Thinking of a career in dentistry? Here is some of their advice
Is it for me?
- Do you like working with your hands, helping people, being creative and being a leader?
- You need to be good at the sciences as they will be needed at A-levels.
- Getting into dentistry is very competitive!-A lot of dental schools require A’s and A* at A-level.-Chemistry is a must and most now require Biology as well as another science or Math’s.-Nearly all require you take the UCAT `5-year minimum undergraduate degree at university.
What steps can I take to improve my chances to become a dentist?
- Make sure you take sciences at A-level. You need to have some interest / passion in the sciences or becoming a dentist can be a very hard and not an enjoyable experience.
- Work experience. We would advise asking your own dentist if you can shadow them for a few days - This will give you an idea if it is the job for you but will also look good on your UCAS form. Also ask specialist dentists and dentists at hospitals so you get a variety of experience, the more the better!
- Try to show universities you are a caring person who enjoys caring for people, doing some work experience in the holidays can help show this.-
Extra-curricular activities. Anything from playing sports to playing music. This shows that you have other interests and make you a more all-round person.
- Use your hands. It’s always helpful if you can demonstrate your manual dexterity. Some people would show artwork / models they have built as demonstrations.
Useful websites:- Dental Schools Council: www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk
A great website which will go through exactly what is required for entry to each dental school.
- Studying Healthcare: www.studyinghealthcare.ac.ukAnother website with information required to gain entry into dental school.
- The British Dental Association: www.bda.orgA lot of information for both the dental profession and the public. Will have all the latest developments about the profession
.- Dentistry.co.uk: www.dentistry.co.uk
All the latest ‘news’ in dentistry.- The General Dental Council: www.gdc-uk.orgThe governing body for all dentists.
- Oral Health Foundation: www.dentalhealth.org
Dental charity working to improve oral health around the world.
- Google!Can be used to find so much information about individual dental schools and requirements for entry and advice on what you may make you the ideal candidate.
