When people think about a career in dentistry, their heads automatically go to the obvious choices like dentist or dental nurse. While these are fantastic career paths, and we will be exploring them in this article, there are also so many other options that can provide a long and fulfilling career in the dental industry. We’re here to introduce a handful of them to help guide you towards the right path if you want to pursue a career in dentistry!
From Dental Students to Dentists
First up, we have the obvious choice, which is to become a dentist! To become a dentist, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in dentistry, which takes 5 years, with much of that time being spent learning practical skills as well as the academic side in lectures and seminars. After this, before you qualify, you will need to complete two or three years of supervised practice. If you wanted to specialise in something, such as dental implants, then you would need to complete further training in order to do that. There are many benefits that come with being a dentist, from transforming people’s confidence to earning a good salary, maintaining a good work-life balance and being able to choose from a number of different career paths.
From Dental Students to Dental Nurses
Next up we have a dental nurse, who supports the dentist when it comes to all elements of the patient’s dental care. They are required to assist calmly and efficiently throughout procedures to not only keep the patient calm but also to ensure the dentist can work smoothly. In most cases, you can work as a trainee dental nurse without a degree; however, to qualify, you will need a degree. Some dental practices will support dental nurses financially through their degree, while other students will choose to complete their three years full-time first before going into a full-time dental nurse role. This is a fantastic choice if you want to pursue a career in healthcare while maintaining flexible working hours.
From Dental Students to Dental Hygienists
A dental hygienist is focused on preventative dentistry by ensuring patients focus on their oral health. This involves a combination of in-practice treatments to remove buildup and identify any signs of issues, as well as providing at-home guidance so patients can continue the good work at home. They are often required to analyse patients before any treatments to ensure their oral health is in check. You do need a degree to be a dental hygienist, with each dental school being slightly different in terms of how long the course is. Again, pursuing a career in dental hygiene provides a good work-life balance and good pay and it also provides the opportunity to make a real difference when it comes to oral health.
From Dental Students to Dental Technicians
Another great career option if you’re interested in dentistry is to become a dental technician. Dental technicians make things like dentures, crowns, bridges and retainers to help transform patients’ smiles. You also need a degree in dental technology to become a dental technician. There are great opportunities in this career, such as becoming a digital dentistry specialist, and you have a vast choice when it comes to where you want to work. There is less hands-on work in terms of treatments for patients, but your work can make a real difference as a dental technician.
From Dental Students to Dental Surgeons
Last but not least, we have dental surgeons. This is the most advanced dental career path, taking up to 12 years in total to fully qualify, as you need your bachelor’s degree followed by speciality training for up to 7 years afterwards. If you’re willing to invest time and money into your education, then it will be worth it, as this is the highest-paying role in dentistry. If dental school is, surgeons are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with diseases and injuries to the mouth.
Usually, a dental surgeon can also be referred to as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who specialises in surgery on the mouth, jaw, face and neck. One thing to bear in mind is that some dental surgeons work in a Cheltenham dentist while others work in hospitals in London, so you may not have the same flexibility in terms of sociable hours as you do working in a dental practice. However, this is a great speciality that can transform people’s lives, so it is definitely worth considering. This career also has a slightly shorter training period compared to others, such as becoming a neurosurgeon, depending on how far you want to progress and specialise.
Final Thoughts
No matter which of the above sparks your interest, pursuing a career in dentistry can be so rewarding and provide a range of different paths throughout your career.
