Dentistry - Subject Guide

As you get further through your journey into dentistry, you’ll encounter specialised topics focusing on aspects of oral health and dental care. Dentists are encouraged to specialise in areas such as orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or prosthodontics. Specialisation requires additional training and certification beyond the basic dental degree. Some of these specialisations include: 

• Endodontics: Endodontists specialise in dealing with issues inside your teeth. They treat infections and diseases of the dental pulp and root canal system. Through procedures like root canal therapy (ouch), endodontists alleviate pain and preserve oral health. 

• Periodontics: Gum health specialists, periodontists prevent gum disease and oral inflammation with techniques like scaling, root planing, and gum surgery to restore and maintain gum tissues, promoting overall oral health and preventing tooth loss. 

• Cosmetic dentistry: Focuses on enhancing the appearance of your pearly whites for aesthetic purposes. Procedures include teeth whitening, dental veneers, and dental bonding to improve teeth colour, shape, and alignment. 

• Paediatric dentistry: Catering to children's dental needs, paediatric dentists create positive dental experiences for kids, addressing issues like tooth decay, orthodontic problems, and oral hygiene habits in the most comfortable and stress-free way possible. 

• Prosthodontics: If you lose a tooth, who do you call? Prosthodontists deal with tooth restoration and replacement, using techniques like crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants to replace missing teeth.

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• Dental anatomy 

• Oral pathology 

• Dental pharmacology 

• Restorative dentistry 

• Oral implants 

• Periodontology 

• Endodontics 

• Orthodontics 

• Oral radiology and imaging 

• Paediatric dentistry 

The route to qualifying as a dentist is long and requires a lot of learning. You’ll become highly knowledgeable about facial and dental anatomy and will cover a lot of the same modules as those studying to become a doctor - particularly when it comes to bodily systems, health, and hygiene.  

You’ll learn an array of advanced clinical skills, from patient care to finely tuned surgical procedures, and will follow a rigorous schedule of practical training and supervised clinical practice, building up your skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management. 

Along the way, you’ll also develop transferable skills such as: 

• Ethical conduct  

• Communication 

• Attention to detail 

• Lifelong learning 

• Fine motor skills 

In the United Kingdom, dental programs are accredited by regulatory bodies such as the General Dental Council GDC, whose purpose is to protect patient safety and maintain public confidence in the dental professions. GDC regulation ensures that graduates meet the extremely high standards of competence and professionalism required for dental practice.  

Accredited dental schools provide comprehensive training in clinical dentistry and ethical conduct, preparing students for successful careers as registered dentists. 

If you’re considering studying dentistry but aren’t sure whether it’s the right choice for you, here are a few alternative degrees to consider within the field of applied healthcare which may align better with your interests and career goals: 

• Biomedical sciences 

• Medicine 

• Public health 

• Nursing  

A dentistry degree is a highly specialised qualification, which takes a minimum of five years to achieve, and generally involves further study and specialisation for many years. In other words, you’ve got to be really sure you want to do it.  

Although your training can take you on many routes through the field of dentistry, your training is entirely geared towards a career in dental care and its associated professions. With advanced training and study dentists can make significant contributions to improving oral health and enhancing the quality of life for people worldwide. 

Possible career pathways include: 

• General dentist 

• Orthodontist 

• Medical researcher 

• Dental hygienist 

• Dental policy analyst 

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon 

• Pediatric dentist 

• Prosthodontist 

• Dental therapist 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You’ll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in dentistry or a related subject. 

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