Dentist Jobs

Dentist Job Information (UK)

Dentists provide preventive and restorative treatments for problems that affect the mouth area and teeth.

The majority of Dentists in the United Kingdom work as self-employed practitioners in general dental practice. These Dentists provide dental care to the general public under the National Health Service (NHS) and/or privately. Dentists also work in salaried posts in Community Based Dentistry, Hospital Dentistry, Private Industry, HM Armed Forces and Corporate Practice Dentistry.

The Dentist will lead a team of dental staff including Dental Nurses, Dental Receptionists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists. There is also the opportunity for the dentist to own his/her own dental practice, this is the usual dental career progression, and in this case the Principal Dentist will also be responsible for a team of Associate Dentists, in addition to the other members of the dental team.

The Principal Dentist may also delegate a proportion of the day to day running of the practice to a Dental Practice Manager, whilst retaining overall control. A dentist's remuneration is usually based on the amount of dental treatment provided, number of patients and kind of dental treatment prescribed.

A Dentist is responsible for...

Oral Health Education of Patients
Examination of Teeth and Dental Patient Diagnosis
Assessment Discussion of Dental Treatment Options and Plans
Undertaking Agreed Dental Treatments
Maintenance of Patients' Dental Records
Recruiting, Training and Managing Dental Staff
Managing Budgets and Maintaining Stocks of Equipment
Marketing of Treatments and Services
Continuous Professional Training

Hospital Dentists predominantly treat patients who have been referred by a General Dentist from a family dental practice. This treatment is usually more specialised and needs the expertise of a Dentist trained in a specialist area of dentistry. Postgraduate training and additional GDC registration is required to use the title of specialist dentist and accept referrals.

Community Dentists are salaried dentists and are usually direct employees of the NHS, PCT or LHB. They provide dental treatment to the elderly, adults and children with special needs and disabilities, as well as visiting schools.

Dentists that work within HM Armed Forces are ranked as officers and are responsible for the treatment of members of HM Armed Forces and their families.

For entry requirements for UK Undergraduate Dentist Degrees visit our UK Dental School section for direct links to all UK Dental Schools.

Further information can also be found at www.gdc-uk.org (General Dental Council), www.bda.org (British Dental Association).