Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Did I pick the wrong course?

Hi all. I’m actually really confused. Ive created an account to ask you guys a question

I was lucky enough to get 2 interviews for dental 2021 entry

I chose dentistry coz it was the only work experience i had, i shadowed an implant surgeon and it has dwelled on me for a few days now...

I really liked the surgery aspect of it

Have i chosen the wrong course - if i was interested in surgery should i have done medicine? Would like to get your guys’ opinon. Both dental and medics (can you tell I’m in your reply if u r a dental or medic (to be) or current

Reply 1

Dentalstuudent1

Hi all. I’m actually really confused. Ive created an account to ask you guys a question

I was lucky enough to get 2 interviews for dental 2021 entry

I chose dentistry coz it was the only work experience i had, i shadowed an implant surgeon and other dentists too and it has dwelled on me for a few days now...

I really liked the surgery aspect of it

Have i chosen the wrong course - if i was interested in surgery should i have done medicine? Would like to get your guys’ opinon. Both dental and medics (can you tell I’m in your reply if u r a dental or medic (to be) or current

Reply 2

Mesopotamian…

Original post by Dentalstuudent1

Hi all. I’m actually really confused. Ive created an account to ask you guys a question

I was lucky enough to get 2 interviews for dental 2021 entry

I chose dentistry coz it was the only work experience i had, i shadowed an implant surgeon and other dentists too and it has dwelled on me for a few days now...

I really liked the surgery aspect of it

Have i chosen the wrong course - if i was interested in surgery should i have done medicine? Would like to get your guys’ opinon. Both dental and medics (can you tell I’m in your reply if u r a dental or medic (to be) or current

The dentistry degree is literally called "Bachelor of Dental Surgery" - it's a surgical degree in and of itself.
It depends on what you want and what you're actually interested in as there are many branches of surgery in both dentistry and medicine.

any words of wisdom from across the pond?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 3

Neda0121

Original post by Dentalstuudent1

Hi all. I’m actually really confused. Ive created an account to ask you guys a question

I was lucky enough to get 2 interviews for dental 2021 entry

I chose dentistry coz it was the only work experience i had, i shadowed an implant surgeon and other dentists too and it has dwelled on me for a few days now...

I really liked the surgery aspect of it

Have i chosen the wrong course - if i was interested in surgery should i have done medicine? Would like to get your guys’ opinon. Both dental and medics (can you tell I’m in your reply if u r a dental or medic (to be) or current

It’s hard to say whether or not you made the best or worst decision but typically applicants are torn between choosing med an dentistry like myself. I have undergone work experience for dentistry and I loved it. I think the best thing you can do is create a table and list the things that are accommodated in dentistry and/or medicine and see which one interests you more. Watch plenty of videos about these two courses because it can help you to make that decision. I mean this will be something you’re going to be doing for the next 40+ years so choose wisely haha!

Reply 4

Hjgadicguad

Dentistry is very practical so you will get to be practical and perform dental surgery daily in the community. Studying medicine you will have to do non surgical specialty, foundation training and then specialise in surgery. Google RCS surgical specialties will give you an idea of the sub specialties. As a consultant surgeon you will only really operate once a day a week. Both are great career options with a vast choice in sub specialties. Maxfax would bridge both of them.

Reply 5

dacb2f2dd4

Original post by Dentalstuudent1

Hi @Dentalstuudent1, I'm a dentist (qualified 2020).
As has been variously stated above, dentistry is in itself a specialised surgical discipline.

Dentistry is a very variable profession, which involves a whole range of clinical activities (which I won't bore you with the details of!) but there's plenty of options to specialise from here and increase the amount of surgery you'll be doing, be that in implantology/oral surgery/OMFS etc.

Once qualified, you're able to do whatever additional training you like, so if you wanted to train in implantology and limit your practice to this, that's very much an option. You can also follow recognised training pathways to become a specialist or consultant in oral surgery etc and the training pathway for this broadly mirrors that of surgical training as a medic.

I went to dental school planning on pursuing a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery, so can very much relate to your concerns.
What I would say is that with a dental degree, after your (one year) foundation training, you can start posts in oral and maxillofacial surgery/oral surgery and completing surgical training in these areas, so doing dentistry certainly isn't a barrier to any sort of surgical career!