The Student Room Group

getting out of dentistry

Hi guys!

This is an interesting one. A friend of mine has become a new dentist in general practice and now wants to know what her options, if any, are for moving into another career (i.e. not specialising but moving into something else) with the BDS qualification???

Do any of you know anyone who has done this by any chance???
Reply 1
Why is she getting out of dentistry?
Reply 2
apparently she's realised the career isn't for her...stress...maybe not enjoying the work? she's not happy though...

don't know all the full reasons tbh...but she's looking to see if there are careers in business etc if the degree is recognised by companies as a good qualification for the attributes it represents?
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3
WOW!
After 5 years of intense studying..omg!
But well.. she could probably call up unis and ask if they accept
Reply 4
I guess her degree shows 5 years of hard work on a demanding course - not to mention the fact she got in in the first place!

But companies would probably also like to see evidence of experience in their fiels so I think doing a course/masters would probably help a lot.

Has she considered going into dental education?
Reply 5
Yep she's not sure what she could do! dental education...as in teaching to undergrad? no she wants to get out of the clinical setting altogether is my understanding.

Does anyone know of someone who has made a career change after qualifying as a dentist?
Reply 6
Original post by jaz32
Yep she's not sure what she could do! dental education...as in teaching to undergrad? no she wants to get out of the clinical setting altogether is my understanding.

Does anyone know of someone who has made a career change after qualifying as a dentist?


One of the dentists I shadowed had a friend who decided to leave the field of dentistry and went on to open a cake baking and decorating business. :yes:

Another one was forced to leave because she developed arthritis in her fingers.
Reply 7
Oh Thwaadi!

Off course she can get into another career :smile:

There are several graduate jobs which are healthcare related and look for Science graduates! I guess when they see a BDS applicant, this will give a very high chance for interview in comparison to others with just a BSc in a Science subject. There is marketing/consulting etc so there is choice out there..

I've been hearing a lot of people dropping out of Dentistry recently, which does scare me thinking all these rumours might be true of it going downhill :frown:
She can apply for post grad med. With a BDS and a MBBS/MB ChB there are alot of opportunities!
Reply 9
I think the question she needs to ask herself is what she wants to do.

The fact she is a qualified dentist is pretty much irrelevant. Obviously there may be related jobs in healthcare but there are plenty of 1yr conversion courses for law, IT, psychology etc out there
Reply 10
Original post by teethy
One of the dentists I shadowed had a friend who decided to leave the field of dentistry and went on to open a cake baking and decorating business. :yes:


Aw, :h:

Would love to meet such person one day :smile:
Reply 11
Thanks for the replies guys!

I know she wants to get out...she made the decision in yr 12 and realised towards the end of the course it wasn't what she hoped it would be...she didn't want to quit but now she knows this is the best time to make a change if its ever going to happen...

Skippy007 - you mentioned several graduate jobs which are healthcare related and look for Science graduates...what like??? sorry i'm oblivious to what there actually is!

Hippysnake...she deffo doesn't want to do med or go into maxillofacial surgery...too intense...

its nice to know there are others who have done this...a cake shop is cool lol!


Reply 12
She maybe should look at MSc or MA style conversion courses, which are 1 year post grad condensed UG courses. She could learn some other skill in managment, IT , accounting and perhaps work for some of the larger dental companies in management. Alternatively a sales role within dental or medical products. She may want to try a few things and see what she has a genuine interest in then make a plan from there.
Reply 13
Hey, no worries...check your inbox but there are loads dependant on what she has in mind...
Reply 14
What did she decide in the end?
Hi. I am looking for advice on same topic for a very dear friend of mine is looking for career change from dentistry. I would appreciate any guidance please.
Original post by Skippy007
Oh Thwaadi!

Off course she can get into another career :smile:

There are several graduate jobs which are healthcare related and look for Science graduates! I guess when they see a BDS applicant, this will give a very high chance for interview in comparison to others with just a BSc in a Science subject. There is marketing/consulting etc so there is choice out there..

I've been hearing a lot of people dropping out of Dentistry recently, which does scare me thinking all these rumours might be true of it going downhill :frown:


Hey! Citizen Khan fan!

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