The Student Room Group

Medicine or dentistry?

I’m in Year 12 and Idk wether to choose between medicine or dentistry?
I have relevant work experience for both fields and I’m pretty sure I have the academics for both fields ( GCSE: 999999888777 but 4 are resits, A level pr: 4 A*s, UCAT: 3420) ( if you want tips on UCAT I have a separate thread for this so pls don’t ask here!) And I’m drafting two personal statements one for dent and one for med as I’m not too certain yet. I enjoyed my work experience for both fields!
I know both fields pay around the same amount but personally I would prefer a field with potential higher earnings
I don’t like teeth or looking into others mouths, the only reason I am considering dent is for the money.
For medicine I really like learning about bio and anatomy and really like medicine in general, however from what I’ve heard medicine now has lower earning than dent which is kind of putting me off the idea of med.
For work life balance, I literally have no friends so I wouldn’t mind working extra as I have no life anyway.
The only problem I have with dent is the fact that I get grossed out by teeth and stinky breath which could be an issue.
The only problem I have with med is the high depression rate and the ‘low’ initial earnings.
I’ve also listed out unis I might apply for med or dent
Med: UCL, Imperial, KCL, Cambridge ( Imperial first choice)
Dent: KCL, Glasgow, Birmingham, QMUL (KCL first choice )
But obv uni doesn’t rlly matter so as long as I get into any med or dent uni I will be happy
But overall based on my preferences, which field, med or dent do you think I should go for?
Original post by AnonymousShark07
I’m in Year 12 and Idk wether to choose between medicine or dentistry?
I have relevant work experience for both fields and I’m pretty sure I have the academics for both fields ( GCSE: 999999888777 but 4 are resits, A level pr: 4 A*s, UCAT: 3420) ( if you want tips on UCAT I have a separate thread for this so pls don’t ask here!) And I’m drafting two personal statements one for dent and one for med as I’m not too certain yet. I enjoyed my work experience for both fields!
I know both fields pay around the same amount but personally I would prefer a field with potential higher earnings
I don’t like teeth or looking into others mouths, the only reason I am considering dent is for the money.
For medicine I really like learning about bio and anatomy and really like medicine in general, however from what I’ve heard medicine now has lower earning than dent which is kind of putting me off the idea of med.
For work life balance, I literally have no friends so I wouldn’t mind working extra as I have no life anyway.
The only problem I have with dent is the fact that I get grossed out by teeth and stinky breath which could be an issue.
The only problem I have with med is the high depression rate and the ‘low’ initial earnings.
I’ve also listed out unis I might apply for med or dent
Med: UCL, Imperial, KCL, Cambridge ( Imperial first choice)
Dent: KCL, Glasgow, Birmingham, QMUL (KCL first choice )
But obv uni doesn’t rlly matter so as long as I get into any med or dent uni I will be happy
But overall based on my preferences, which field, med or dent do you think I should go for?

Bump
My understanding from your other threads is that you have only just finished GCSEs and are looking to go into sixth form in September. (Or at least that was the case a month ago?)

If so, you have plenty of time to focus down on medicine or dentistry. I would suggest not going for either unless you are sure.
Original post by George&Mary
My understanding from your other threads is that you have only just finished GCSEs and are looking to go into sixth form in September. (Or at least that was the case a month ago?)
If so, you have plenty of time to focus down on medicine or dentistry. I would suggest not going for either unless you are sure.

Again, this is a shared acc with a close friend pls
I only have like this summer to decide before I have to submit my ps plus I have to send in my draft to my school and I only have this summer to decide whether to send in the medicine one or dentistry one and ucas only allows one ps. So quite literally I will only have about 4 weeks to decide. I’m leaning more into the medicine side but idk I still like dentistry to an extent. Would it be reasonable to apply to 4 medical schools and 1 dental school?
Dentistry all day of the week

Quicker professional progression
Easily develop your skills over weekend courses (invisalign, photography, smile makeovers)
Can earn over 70k in year one (I have made a video about this on my channel)
Ownership potential
Dentistry is more than just practice, there's more to it than that for career development and ease of living

Medicine is awful in the UK, unless you're planning on leaving, then it's a good 50/50 between the 2

Fourth year dental student - feel free to get in touch if you need advice
Although i get your point with the ick of dentistry, i just think that dentistry is a more better choice than medicine. Both are highly respected degrees, however with dentistry you can earn way more £££, open your own clinic and become flexible with your hours. I have seen numerous med students regretting not picking dentistry so let that not be you. (Unless you have burning passion for a profession that requires you to have gone to med school ofc).
Original post by blind-ranger
Although i get your point with the ick of dentistry, i just think that dentistry is a more better choice than medicine. Both are highly respected degrees, however with dentistry you can earn way more £££, open your own clinic and become flexible with your hours. I have seen numerous med students regretting not picking dentistry so let that not be you. (Unless you have burning passion for a profession that requires you to have gone to med school ofc).


I second this guy
Choosing a career "just for the money" is a bad idea. Choose something you actually want to do.
Original post by Stiffy Byng
Choosing a career "just for the money" is a bad idea. Choose something you actually want to do.


I'd argue this point however ... To a degree... Not entirely ... But I'd argue it somewhat
If you don't like your job you will do it badly. Dentists who do their jobs badly get sued for negligence.

Find a thing you like doing, become good at that thing, and someone will pay you to do it.

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