How to Become a Dentist

What Does Becoming a Dentist Actually Mean?

Becoming a dentist means taking on one of the most respected, demanding, and rewarding healthcare roles there is. Dentists don't just fix teeth; they protect health, restore confidence, and sometimes spot life-threatening conditions like oral cancers. The work combines medical knowledge, technical skill, and the ability to build trust with patients who often arrive anxious or in pain. Dentistry isn’t just about filling cavities or polishing smiles — it’s about diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of oral health issues, and making a real, tangible difference to people’s lives every day.

How Does It All Work?

In the UK, the journey to becoming a dentist starts with securing a place at dental school. You’ll need excellent A-levels, typically including biology and chemistry, and often very high grades. Some universities also expect physics or maths as a third subject. Applicants also need to sit entrance exams like the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test), and most universities require work experience to show you understand what the profession actually involves.

Once accepted, you’ll study for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS or BChD) degree at a university approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). The course is usually five years long and covers anatomy, physiology, pathology, dental science, clinical skills, and patient care. Practical experience is built in from early on, moving from simulations to real patient clinics by the later years.

After graduating, you’ll complete a one-year Dental Foundation Training (DFT) in a supervised practice setting. This year allows new dentists to develop their skills in the real world, handling patients independently but with experienced support available. Only after successfully completing DFT can you work fully independently as a dentist.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist?

From start to finish, becoming a fully qualified, practising dentist takes at least six years. That includes five years at dental school and one year of Dental Foundation Training. Some courses extend to six years for students taking a pre-dental or foundation year, especially if they didn’t meet the typical A-level entry requirements straight out of school. After those six years, dentists can start working in NHS or private practices, although many continue to specialise or study further, extending their training if they want to become consultants or specialise in fields like orthodontics, oral surgery, or periodontics.

Understanding the Life of a Dentist

Life as a dentist is a mixture of scientific problem-solving, manual skill, and constant human interaction. You’ll see a wide range of patients, from young children to elderly adults, treating everything from routine check-ups to emergency care. Communication is crucial. Patients often fear dental treatment, and part of your job is to reassure them, explain procedures clearly, and deliver care as gently and professionally as possible.

Dentists often work in busy practices and have packed schedules. Time management matters because patients expect to be seen promptly, but rushing can lead to mistakes. The job demands patience, attention to detail, strong hand-eye coordination, and the emotional resilience to manage both success stories and inevitable complications.

There’s a business side too. Many dentists work in practices that are run as businesses, meaning you’ll need some understanding of finance, targets, and customer service, especially if you plan to open your own practice one day.

Possible Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming a Dentist

Dentistry offers real rewards — both professionally and financially. Dentists enjoy high earning potential, the respect that comes with being a healthcare professional, and the satisfaction of visibly improving patients' lives. There's also variety. You can specialise, work abroad, focus on cosmetic dentistry, or even move into teaching or research later on.

However, dentistry is also physically and emotionally demanding. Long hours spent leaning over patients can take a toll on your back, neck, and hands. Managing anxious or difficult patients can be stressful. The pressure to maintain extremely high standards — both clinically and legally — is ever-present, and mistakes can have serious consequences. The cost of training is another major consideration, with dental school fees and living costs building up significantly before you even start earning a full salary.

Summary

Becoming a dentist in the UK is a long, challenging journey, but for the right person, it leads to a career full of purpose, skill, and opportunity. It requires academic excellence, practical ability, excellent people skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning. If you’re ready to invest the time, effort, and resilience needed, dentistry offers not just a respected profession but the chance to genuinely change lives — starting with every smile you help create or save.