Part of our series What does a ___ actually do?, plain-English guides to the careers students ask us about most.
Most people meet a dentist twice a year, for ten minutes, lying back in a chair. That check-up is a small part of the job. A dentist also drills and fills cavities, takes out teeth, fits crowns and dentures, reads X-rays, gives injections, and often runs the practice as a business too.
What the job involves
Routine check-ups and cleaning.
Examining teeth, gums and the mouth, using X-rays and scans to see what is happening below the surface.
Planning a course of treatment with the patient and explaining the options.
Giving local anaesthetic, then doing fillings, crowns and extractions.
Taking impressions to fit dentures, bridges and implants.
Cosmetic work such as whitening and veneers.
Advising patients on how to look after their teeth, and leading a team of dental nurses and hygienists.
A typical day
The first patient at 8:30 has a cracked molar, so that needs an X-ray, an injection and a temporary crown. Next is a twelve-year-old who needs two fillings and has never had one before, and half of that appointment is spent explaining what each instrument does. Late morning brings a run of check-ups, then a tooth extraction that turns out harder than the X-ray suggested. After lunch there are impressions for a bridge, a call with the lab about a set of dentures, and the treatment notes for every patient seen that day.
It is close, precise work. In the US occupational survey, 98% of general dentists said being exact is extremely important, and the same share wear gloves, masks and safety glasses every working day.
Where they work
Most dentists work in private or government clinics. Others work in hospital dental departments, which take on more complex cases. In the UK a dentist typically works 37 to 40 hours a week. With experience, some become partners in a practice or open their own, which means hiring staff and managing the finances on top of treating patients.
Is it a good fit for you?
Dentistry combines three interest types. It is Investigative (diagnosing what is wrong), Realistic (precise work with tools and your hands) and Social (caring for patients). It could suit you if:
Biology and chemistry are among your stronger subjects.
You enjoy detailed hands-on work, such as model making, drawing or playing an instrument.
You can stay calm when someone is scared or in pain.
The idea of running your own clinic one day appeals to you.
How to become a dentist
Stage | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
Before dental school | None: you start straight after school | A bachelor’s degree first |
Dental degree | 5 years at a school approved by the General Dental Council (4 years if you already have a related degree) | DDS or DMD at a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation |
After the degree | Register with the General Dental Council, then 2 years of supervised postgraduate training | Pass the national board exam (INBDE), then get a licence from the state you will work in |
UK entry requirements: usually 3 A levels or equivalent, including biology and chemistry. Many dental schools also ask you to sit the UCAT admissions test.
In the UAE: dental degrees typically take 5 years. To practise in Dubai you need a licence from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which requires a recognised dental degree that meets its professional qualification requirements.
Where to study dentistry in the GCC
Details are taken from each university’s official page.
University | Programme | What the university states |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | 5 years | |
Gulf Medical University, Ajman | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | 5 years; accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education and, since 2024, the Australian Dental Council |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | 5 years; accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Australian Dental Council International | |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | Accredited by Australian Dental Council International from 2025 to 2031 | |
King Saud University, Riyadh | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | 7 years in total: a preparatory year, 5 academic years and a 1-year internship |
Top universities worldwide
Looking beyond the Gulf? These are the top eight for dentistry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
1 | Karolinska Institutet | Sweden |
2 | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong SAR, China |
3 | Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA) | Netherlands |
4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | United States |
5 | King’s College London | United Kingdom |
6 | University of California, San Francisco | United States |
7 | University of Zurich | Switzerland |
8 | University of Bern | Switzerland |
Six of these eight are outside the US. In the US, dentistry is a graduate degree taken after a bachelor’s. Rankings mostly reflect research reputation, so read them alongside the course details.
What dentists earn
From official US government wage statistics, rounded:
Country | Lower end | Upper end |
|---|---|---|
United States | $86,000 | $320,000 |
The figures run from the 10th to the 90th percentile of general dentists. The UK and Canadian official statistics we use do not give a comparable figure for dentists, and no GCC government publishes pay by job title, so we only show the US.
Try it now
Shadow dentists online. A Learning Lab’s Dentistry Virtual Shadowing Program gives you a look at dental careers from working professionals.
Get time in a real clinic. Ask your own dentist whether you can observe for a day or two. Admissions tutors like to see that you know what the job involves.
Prepare for the UCAT early. UniHawk runs UCAT preparation for medicine and dentistry applicants.
Keep biology and chemistry when you choose your subjects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has done extra specialist training in straightening teeth and correcting bites, mostly with braces and aligners. Every orthodontist qualifies as a dentist first.
Is dentistry easier to get into than medicine?
Not really. There are fewer dental schools, so places are limited, and many ask for similar grades and the same UCAT test as medicine.
Can I specialise later?
Yes. After some years in general practice, dentists can train in areas such as orthodontics, children’s dentistry, oral surgery or implants.
Not sure whether dentistry or medicine suits you better? The HawkNest career assessment matches your interests and strengths to careers like these.
More in this series
Sources: O*NET OnLine, Dentists, General; National Careers Service, Dentist; NHS Health Careers; American Dental Association; Dubai Health Authority; pay from US BLS (May 2025), converted at ECB rates of 1 October 2026.
