The Student Room Group

Any future dentists?

Hi do u guys mind teeth?
Considering becoming a dentist but idk how I feel. I don't like cavities/ rot/ decay much but should that hold me back from being a dentist? Idk idm it but yk
I'm getting mostly 9s in gcse atm and 9s in bio chem maths. I love chem and maths (my fav subjects) bio is alright its fun learning ab the body ig isn't it mostly a lot of content? Am I mistaken?
From what I checked it's a 5yr degree at uni and 1 year as a trainee then u work as normal? Is this correct,???
I don't wanna be a doctor cuz too much training and harder to get paid or smth and too competitive and don't like blood.
Idk should I even be a dentist I need to choose my subjects soon.

Any advice much appreciated:smile:
Reply 1
why do you want to become a dentist?
Reply 2
the whole point of becoming a dentist is that you will see all those things on a daily basis. if you cant handle it I wouldn't recommend it sorry 😭
Reply 3
Original post by shr_ya
Hi do u guys mind teeth?
Considering becoming a dentist but idk how I feel. I don't like cavities/ rot/ decay much but should that hold me back from being a dentist? Idk idm it but yk
I'm getting mostly 9s in gcse atm and 9s in bio chem maths. I love chem and maths (my fav subjects) bio is alright its fun learning ab the body ig isn't it mostly a lot of content? Am I mistaken?
From what I checked it's a 5yr degree at uni and 1 year as a trainee then u work as normal? Is this correct,???
I don't wanna be a doctor cuz too much training and harder to get paid or smth and too competitive and don't like blood.
Idk should I even be a dentist I need to choose my subjects soon.
Any advice much appreciated:smile:

Hi, I’ve just finished my A-Levels and I’m about to start my first year of dental school.

Tbh you will get used to looking at teeth and also the smell (it can be pretty bad). I think you should do work experience in a dental field as well as different areas of medicine such as a GP, hospital or even house calls if you can. You can also do work experience in different areas of healthcare such as optometry, audiology, etc.

Dentistry is a five year degree and then you have a years placement of training in a dental practice and then you can work for the NHS or private.

Biology A-Level is a lot of learning about the body, however you also do a lot of plant and environmental sciences but it is necessary for a healthcare profession.

Chemistry A-Level is a lot harder than GCSE, but if you enjoy it, you may find it easier (I found it harder bc I hated it)

I didn’t do maths but my friends did and they said it is quite hard, but all A-Levels are.

If you don’t want to do medicine bc of the training and blood, look into Physician’s Associate. It’s a really good course alternative for medicine and it’s a much shorter course, and it is easier to get paid. It’s fairly new so you may struggle to find work experience but there’s several videos on the NHS website and Youtube too.

If you want to stay in contact, you can add me on snapchat (sana.383). Hope this helps! :smile:
Original post by sana382
Hi, I’ve just finished my A-Levels and I’m about to start my first year of dental school.
Tbh you will get used to looking at teeth and also the smell (it can be pretty bad). I think you should do work experience in a dental field as well as different areas of medicine such as a GP, hospital or even house calls if you can. You can also do work experience in different areas of healthcare such as optometry, audiology, etc.
Dentistry is a five year degree and then you have a years placement of training in a dental practice and then you can work for the NHS or private.
Biology A-Level is a lot of learning about the body, however you also do a lot of plant and environmental sciences but it is necessary for a healthcare profession.
Chemistry A-Level is a lot harder than GCSE, but if you enjoy it, you may find it easier (I found it harder bc I hated it)
I didn’t do maths but my friends did and they said it is quite hard, but all A-Levels are.
If you don’t want to do medicine bc of the training and blood, look into Physician’s Associate. It’s a really good course alternative for medicine and it’s a much shorter course, and it is easier to get paid. It’s fairly new so you may struggle to find work experience but there’s several videos on the NHS website and Youtube too.
If you want to stay in contact, you can add me on snapchat (sana.383). Hope this helps! :smile:

Hi omg thank you so much this is so helpful cant express it. Good luck for ur future. ( i don't have snap tho but thx)
(edited 3 months ago)
Original post by iiiik1
why do you want to become a dentist?
Well I wanna go uni. Maths n chem r my fab subjects so taking them at a level. Bio w them is a good combo. Then in uni dentistry seems good. 5 yrs not too bad and dentistry seems likr a solid career it pays well and ye. Was gonna do finance but uni doesn't seem that fit for it like everyone recommend apprenticeships and it just feels more independent
Reply 6
Original post by shr_ya
Well I wanna go uni. Maths n chem r my fab subjects so taking them at a level. Bio w them is a good combo. Then in uni dentistry seems good. 5 yrs not too bad and dentistry seems likr a solid career it pays well and ye. Was gonna do finance but uni doesn't seem that fit for it like everyone recommend apprenticeships and it just feels more independent

I really think that you should get some work experience in the dental field. I'm not sure if your reasons for doing dentistry are very solid. If you find that you'd still like to do dentistry then that's great, do it. But if doing work experience makes you change your mind then that's also fine- only do a degree you enjoy otherwise it won't be worth it.
Original post by ManUtd_21
I really think that you should get some work experience in the dental field. I'm not sure if your reasons for doing dentistry are very solid. If you find that you'd still like to do dentistry then that's great, do it. But if doing work experience makes you change your mind then that's also fine- only do a degree you enjoy otherwise it won't be worth it.


Omg I find it so hard to get into work exp. Had to apply to so many just to get a week of work experinece in a primary skl. Any advice? Should I email my dentist or speak in person? Do I need a cv?
Reply 8
Original post by shr_ya
Omg I find it so hard to get into work exp. Had to apply to so many just to get a week of work experinece in a primary skl. Any advice? Should I email my dentist or speak in person? Do I need a cv?

Yes definitely talk to your dentist about getting some work experience, that's probably the easiest way to get some. Also going to dental practices in person(with your cv) and asking them(very nicely) whether you would be able to do some work experience is another idea, apparently they're more likely to give you work experience this way but I have no clue whether this is actually the case. Honestly, sending the dental practice an email/ calling them should suffice. Some dental practices may also ask for your cv, so it's best to have one just in case!
Original post by ManUtd_21
Yes definitely talk to your dentist about getting some work experience, that's probably the easiest way to get some. Also going to dental practices in person(with your cv) and asking them(very nicely) whether you would be able to do some work experience is another idea, apparently they're more likely to give you work experience this way but I have no clue whether this is actually the case. Honestly, sending the dental practice an email/ calling them should suffice. Some dental practices may also ask for your cv, so it's best to have one just in case!


Thankssmsk

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