I still don't see how there are easier ways to earn £50k a year. For me, the biggest part of becoming a dentist is the job security. There's always dentists needed.
Any other job, in my opinion, has the usual risk of being laid off, etc etc. A girl I know went to Cambridge and then walked into a £30k job....however, she works full time, in an office, late most days and Sunday is her only day off. I think I know which I'd choose.
I personally find this very pessimistic. You seem to make out you're struggling along on £50k a year. No offence, but you even said yourself your family never experienced financial difficulties, so I don't think you really know what 'struggling' means. Just because you don't live in Brentwood with a Porshce and a Range Rover doesn't mean you're not well off.