Dentist

You will:

• lead a dental team to diagnose and treat dental problems
•  see patients for routine check ups
•  perform treatments like fillings, extractions and fitting dentures and bridges
•  whiten teeth
•  take X-rays and give local anaesthetics
•  refer patients to a dental hygienist or dental therapist

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• customer service skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to read English
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course.

As a dentist in general practice you could go on to become a partner in the practice or set up your own practice.

In hospital dental services, you can follow the same career structure and training pathway as a hospital doctor. For example, you could also specialise in implant or paediatric dentistry.

You could serve as a dentist in the armed forces. You can find more information on dentistry in the military from the:

• British Army | https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles/army-medical-service/dentist]
•  [Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy

As a consultant, you'll often find work opportunities in the private sector.

With experience, you could lead a team, or manage a unit or department.

You could also progress to teaching and training student dentists and other healthcare professionals.