I've applied for chemistry, but kind of want to do dentistry now?

If you are certain you want to do dentistry then yes it's probably much more straightforward to just gap year and reapply.
Of course there is the chance you'll not get any dentistry offers - dentistry is very competitive.
Have you done any dental work experience yet? I'd recommend trying to find some over the summer to get a better idea of dentistry as a profession and decide if it's for you.
You can accept whichever offer you wish from this year and then if you change your mind before matriculation, just inform them you won't be joining in the fall and just inform SFE you aren't beginning the course after all (do this BEFORE they pay you anything!!).
The only caveat is if you apply for accommodation and pay a deposit then you won't get it back. So that's something to consider.

Thank you so much for replying.
Not getting any others is what I'm worried about (and also the UCAT, I did do an admissions test for a uni and it did not go very well).
I will look into some dentistry work experience for the summer after my exams.

you’d need to do the ucat this summer anyways before university starts, otherwise you can’t apply for 2026 entry. so you can always sit the ucat and make a decision based on your score.

I think I might do that. I'll be rough revising after my exams

it will be, but i have faith that you’ll get through it ❤️ make sure you take a break after a-levels though, the past two years have been rough and you deserve some time off. good luck!

Hi
You really MUST aim and achieve high UCAT. The equivalent of 2900 plus to ensure many interviews. Otherwise, it will be wasted efforts . Because you will start revising for UCAT very soon after A levels, you will have a few weeks only to prepare and see what you get . You must put 200% energy, like a minimum of 3 hrs to 4 per day, to revise, then attend the test before your expected day to attend your chemistry degree. Also, aim to get at least one A* in your A level to make your application competitive. Good luck

Thank you for the advice, would doing 4 alevels hold any weight in terms of application competitiveness?

Hi . 4 A levels are for Oxbridge. My son is starting a dentistry course this September after the gap year with 2A*A achieved grades and 2960B2 UCAT. Just aim for at least one A* and very high UCAT . If you were applying for medicine, then 4A* would be a better option for Imperial and UCL.

sorry but that really isn’t true, i know a lot of people who have offers for imperial and ucl and cambridge medicine with just biology chemistry and maths a-levels.

Hi,
So I've applied for chemistry and have been accepted into a few unis (and I am due to start uni in September) but now have had the realisation that I may want to do dentistry. Would it be worth it to do a gap year and reapply for dentistry? What if I get rejected from all unis if I reapply?
Thank you for reading this

Hence, my suggestion 4A levels will make more competitive.
Unless a Uni states explicitly on their website that they prefer applicants with 4 A levels, then this simply isn't true. Taking 4 A levels will always risk the 3 grades that actually matter. Remember AAA will always look better than ABBB - and that could cost you a University place.

Hi . 4 A levels are for Oxbridge. My son is starting a dentistry course this September after the gap year with 2A*A achieved grades and 2960B2 UCAT. Just aim for at least one A* and very high UCAT . If you were applying for medicine, then 4A* would be a better option for Imperial and UCL.

Wow, thats amazing. Any advice on getting ready for an application (so like work experience and interviews)?

Useful Moocs (free short online course) -
Study Dentistry: How to Become a Dentist - Dentistry Course - FutureLearn
Dentistry - Free Online Healthcare Course - FutureLearn
2025 entry requirements for each UK Dental School -
DSC-Entry-Requirements-entry-2025.pdf
PS - it does not matter where you train as a Dentist - all courses are accredited as equal by the GDC, they all have the same syllabus, and lead to exactly the same professional qualification. The NHS wont care where you trained - and neither will your future patients.

Hi
Work experience 2 weeks with dental practice. Interview he attended medical portal mock Interview one day preparation Pluse few lessons with senior dental students as paid services to prepare him for the interview.