Career profile · live from the Careermash careers engine
Research / problem-solving

General Dentist

Becoming a General Dentist in the UK is a rewarding journey that combines science, artistry, and patient care. As a General Dentist, you will diagnose and treat a variety of dental issues, from routine check-ups to complex procedures. The demand for dental professionals is high, making this a stable and lucrative career choice for ambitious individuals.
Degree usually required
AI impact: low££££ payUni route
0
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a general dentist? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.

What you'd actually do

As a General Dentist, you will be responsible for diagnosing dental conditions, performing treatments, and educating patients on oral health. Your day-to-day tasks will include conducting examinations, taking X-rays, filling cavities, and performing extractions. You will also need to stay updated with the latest dental technologies and practices to provide the best care possible.
1Conducting patient examinations and assessments
2Performing restorative and preventive dental procedures
3Educating patients on oral hygiene and care

Career progression & pay

01
Getting in

Junior Dentist

£30,000
Bachelor's Degree in Dentistry
As a Junior Dentist, you will assist in various dental procedures under the supervision of experienced dentists, gaining hands-on experience and building your skills.
02
Building up

Mid-Level Dentist

£50,000
2-5 years of experience
In this role, you will take on more complex cases, manage your own patient list, and begin to specialise in areas of interest.
03
At the top

Senior Dentist

£80,000
Extensive experience and specialisation
As a Senior Dentist, you will lead a team, mentor junior staff, and may even run your own practice, making significant decisions about patient care and business management.

Degrees that lead here via Medicine and Dentistry

Apprenticeships that lead here

No apprenticeship standard maps directly yet - the university or college route is the main way in.

Who hires - top UK employers

Bupa Dental Care
A leading provider of dental care in the UK, offering a range of services and career opportunities.
NHS
The National Health Service provides dental services across the UK, with numerous opportunities for dentists.
MyDentist
One of the largest dental groups in the UK, offering a variety of roles for dental professionals.

How to get in - your routes

Careermash · your kind of work, the careers in it, and every route in - all in one place.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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