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.

Explore

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.

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.

Professional development

Find out about CPD recommended by the regulator as well as how to write a CV and what's involved in specialty training.

Volunteering and working abroad

There are many other dental career options open to qualified dentists, including the possibility of working abroad or volunteering to participate in dental projects in developing countries.

Dental student FAQs

We understand that dental school can be overwhelming, and that valuable information can get lost in a sea of new knowledge.

Exclusively for BDA members

Webinar: Set yourself up for financial success

Are you in the early stages of your dental career? Then you're likely juggling new responsibilities, a demanding schedule – and a lot of questions about how to set yourself up for the future. Join our webinar hosted by Chase de Vere on 19 June to gain a clearer understanding of your options – and how to make the most of them.

Learn more and register

A young female dentists talking to a patient

Become an affiliate member

Overseas-qualified dentist? Working towards GDC registration?

Navigating GDC registration can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Affiliate membership gives you the guidance, resources and support to make the process smoother and clearer.

Join us Browse advice

A young male dentist with glasses and blue scrubs smiling into the camera

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.

Find out more and join

Expand your knowledge

Learning and development

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.

browse roles and advertise

Exclusively for BDA members

Core CPD on-demand

‘Core’ or GDC-recommended CPD topics are included with your BDA membership and available on-demand whenever you want to update your knowledge.

Access core CPD Learn more

A woman in a light blue shirt typing on a laptop with books and notes next to her on the table

Latest blogs

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.

Dental adventures in the Canadian Backwoods and Arctic

Dentistry can be challenging work. Performing dentistry under the extreme weather conditions found in places such as British Columbia and the remote settlements in the Canadian Arctic makes the process even more demanding.

The challenges facing asylum seekers in dentistry

Relocating to a new country and finding a route to practise dentistry is a very difficult experience. Having to uproot your life, along with your family, to try and find a safer environment can be incredibly stressful and, at times, terrifying.

Career hub

Explore

How to become a dentist

DFT/DVT

DCT

Career options

Non-clinical career options

Specialty training

Professional development

Volunteering and working abroad

Dental student FAQs

Exclusively for BDA members

Webinar: Set yourself up for financial success

Become an affiliate member

Overseas-qualified dentist? Working towards GDC registration?

Join the BDA

Membership for students

Learning and development

Library

Courses and events

BDJ portfolio

CPD Hub

Browse our listings

Dentistry's jobs board

Exclusively for BDA members

Core CPD on-demand

Latest blogs

Life as a Vocational Dental Practitioner: My experience and tips

Navigating the rollercoaster of Foundation Dentist year

Your application process through Oriel

The Future Leaders Programme: A unique experience

The importance of gender equality in dentistry

Unique challenges face women in dentistry

Balancing priorities as a woman in dentistry

Improving equality in leadership roles

Representation of women in dentistry

Navigating your Dental Foundation Training

Dental adventures in the Canadian Backwoods and Arctic

The challenges facing asylum seekers in dentistry