Career paths in dentistry

Whether you are seeking guidance after graduation or considering expanding your skills later in your career, we can help you navigate your professional path in dentistry. All members have access to our career hub resources and files, simply log in to keep exploring. Not a member? Join today.

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How to become a dentist

Learn how to become a dentist in the UK. This section covers dental degrees, dental schools, training routes and answers to common student questions.

Situational Judgement Tests

Get ready for Dental Foundation Training with our SJT mock exam course – available exclusively to final year dental student members.

DFT/DVT

Prepare for life after graduation with our comprehensive guide to Dental Foundation Training and Dental Vocational Training options.

DCT

Dental Core Training offers you the opportunity to advance your skills and dental career through hands-on experience and specialty development in diverse clinical settings.

Career options

What specialty training and career options are available to me? Find the answers to your questions in this section.

Non-clinical career options

From teaching, to dento-legal advisory positions and expert witness roles – these careers allow you to apply your dental expertise in dynamic and impactful ways. Discover how you can make a difference outside of traditional practice.

Specialty training

Whether you're interested in orthodontics, oral surgery or another specialty, this advanced training opens doors to new professional opportunities and allows you to provide specialised care. Explore how specialty training can shape the future of your career.

Working abroad

Opportunities to broaden your horizons by gaining professional experience abroad.

Case studies

Discover real-life stories from dental professionals navigating their careers.

Event - 7 July 2026

Working in the NHS

Open to all final year students, this free live webinar on Tuesday 7 July will help you feel more prepared for life after dental school. The session will discuss the NHS dental system, provides more detail about what an associate agreement is and offers invaluable first-hand insights from current associates.

Your dental career

Professional development

Find out about CPD recommended by the regulator as well as how to write a CV.

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Join the BDA

Membership for students

Advance your dental career with BDA student membership, offering you access to timely information, advice and resources as you advance towards your career in dentistry.

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Expand your knowledge

Learning and development

BDJ Portfolio

Article collection: Career development

This collection brings together recent articles from BDJ In Practice offering insights into career development in dentistry and the options open to dentists throughout their careers.

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Browse our listings

Dentistry's jobs board

1000s of dental jobs from all around the UK updated daily. Free nurse and support role vacancy ads for members.

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Latest blogs

Building a dental career across Russia, Switzerland, and the UK

Several aspects of working as a dentist in the UK are markedly different and shaped my journey to working as an associate today.

SAS dentists as leaders

Anna Dargue, SAS dentist, on raising awareness of the profession and the various roles SAS dentists undertake.

Life as a Vocational Dental Practitioner: My experience and tips

We interviewed Vocational Dental Practitioner (VDP) Ben in South East Scotland to find out more about his experience in Vocational Training, and get his tips for new graduates about to go into it this year.

Navigating the rollercoaster of Foundation Dentist year

Foundation dentist Milton Justinsuthkaran on how to optimise your learning experience, and tested tricks for greater competence and confidence as a dentist.

Your application process through Oriel

As you approach the end of your time at university, you will have to apply through Oriel for Dental Foundation Training (DFT) in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales or Vocational Training (VT) in Scotland.

The Future Leaders Programme: A unique experience

BDA Student Committee vice-chair Joshua Kennedy on his experiences of the Future Leaders Programme (FLP), and his recommendations to others considering joining it.

The importance of gender equality in dentistry

Women play a huge role in the development of dentistry, however, there is still work to do on gender equality. Nadia Ahmed shares her experiences throughout her career, and as Chair of the BDA Central Committee for Hospital Dental Services. 

Unique challenges face women in dentistry

Women play a huge role in the development of dentistry, however, there is still work to do on gender equality. Lauren Harrhy shares her experiences throughout her career.

Balancing priorities as a woman in dentistry

Women play a huge role in the development of dentistry, however, there is still work to do on gender equality. Laura Cross shares her experiences throughout her career.

Improving equality in leadership roles

Women play a huge role in the development of dentistry, however, there is still work to do on equality. Ellie shares her experiences and views on equality in dentistry.

Representation of women in dentistry

Women play a huge role in the development of dentistry, however, there is still work to do on gender equality. Roz shares her experiences throughout her career in dentistry and on committees.

Navigating your Dental Foundation Training

The transition from a university environment to working in your approved practice can feel daunting. Despite looking forward to this transition throughout your final year of dental school, independently conducting examinations and treatment planning may seem intimidating.

Event - 1 July 2026

Getting the best start to your first associateship

Starting your first associateship? Join this free live webinar on Wednesday 1 July to gain a practical understanding of life as an associate and the key considerations of self-employed status. Designed for those preparing to enter practice, the session offers an invaluable opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

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