Dentistry or medicine

Hi guys, I wanted to know your opinions on whether dentistry is better than medicine? I’m really stuck and I really need to make a decision!!

Better in what sense?

I say this every time this topic comes up: medicine and dentistry are wildly different careers. If you don't know which one you want to do, you either don't know the careers (in which case you have to do more research), or don't know what's important to you in a career (which no one can expect you to know at 16).

I have done my research and find both equally interesting. I have a greater passion for medicine as I have great aspirations in what I want to specialise in. However I just want opinions on whether dentistry has greater advantages etc....

Great aspirations?

Well i want to specialise in ophthalmology but im still unsureeee....
I think there's a better work life balance for dentistry which is why i'm more torn towards it

Before you read this do take this with a pinch of salt as I’ve applied for dentistry this year so my views may be biased 😊. Firstly; dentistry is more competitive than medicine in the UK. Both are INCREDIBLY difficult to get in to, I’m not saying that medicine is easier to get into, it’s just less competitive - for example, there are many more medicine universities than dentistry universities (only 16 undergrad dentistry unis in the uk compared to 33 undergrad medicine unis) and some medicine courses have actually gone into clearing in the past, where dentistry never has. Entry requirements are roughly the same - grade wise, both ask for at least AAA at A-level (usually with at least chemistry and one other science such as biology, physics, maths or sometimes psychology), but the actual interviews may be less daunting in medicine (in the sense that prep for it is easier as there’s more info, but it is still INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT) and it’s easier to find medical work experience. Dentistry is better for people who want a more social career - dentists form more personal relationships (obvs still professional and all) with their patients as they (hopefully) see them every 6 months for a check up, not just when the patient is ill. Having said this, medicine is also a social career and demands constant professionalism and politeness with patients at all times (as with dentistry, but dentistry is generally 9-5, where medicine can be at unsocial hours when you might not be able to deal with patients). It really depends on your view - i personally can’t go into medicine because I don’t think I’d be able to live with it if I failed to help someone and it cost them their life. In dentistry you can help someone almost immediately and relieve pain (both mental and physical!) but in medicine you get the privilege of being able to save someone’s entire life, or at least make it better. Really really think about it before you apply for medicine or dentistry. Both are physically (yes physically!! Back pain and carpel tunnel are very common in surgeons and dentists and both are more likely to develop sight issues due to strain and exposure to UV light), mentally and emotionally taxing careers which require a lot of passion to really follow. They are 5 year courses with placement years after, and after that it is hard work for yeaarsssss. Don’t go into this job if you are looking for money. Yes, they pay well but only after years and years! Hope this helped, feel free to PM me if you need any advice.

What would you say minimum grade average you should get for GCSE is in order to get in dentistry?

Hi guys, I wanted to know your opinions on whether dentistry is better than medicine? I’m really stuck and I really need to make a decision!!

Not really i got 5A's 5B's in GCSE's but i still got in, they mainly focus on a levels which i tried much harder for

I managed to get 3A* which is better than my GCSE’s which is pretty funny and was talked about during my interview about how I had a change in grades so drastic. I guess it comes down to luck and what the interviewer thinks of you

Dentistry