Dentist : Career development

The majority of dentists choose to become self-employed general dental practitioners (GDPs), but some aim to become consultants in the hospital dental service, or enter other salaried posts, e.g. in the Community Dental Service (CDS), corporate practices, the armed forces or academia.

A dental graduate entering general dental practice starts in a one-year salaried post as a vocational dental practitioner (VDP). From here, progression is possible to the role of associate or partner in the practice. Many dentists eventually go on to own and run their own practice as general dental practitioners (GDPs).

Self-employed dentists are not ordinarily entitled to benefits such as paid annual or sick leave and they also have responsibility for the management of staff, budgets, tax, equipment and premises. However, they may have the freedom to arrange their own working hours and choose their specialist areas of interest. In general practice, a reputation for competent work is crucial for attracting and retaining patients and ensuring the success of the business.

Hospital dentists follow a defined career structure and training pathway, and have to obtain recognised postgraduate qualifications in order to progress to senior posts. The four main specialisms in the hospital dental service are: oral and maxillofacial surgery; orthodontics; paediatric dentistry; and restorative dentistry.

In the Community Dental Service (CDS) - known in England as the Salaried Primary Dental Care Service (SPDCS) - experience is gained as a community clinical dental officer (CCDO) with further opportunity to gain postgraduate qualifications by part-time study. Ambitious CCDOs may wish to become senior dental officers (SDOs), with a special responsibility, e.g. for epidemiology or treating patients with special needs.

In the armed forces, cadetships at undergraduate level lead to commissions, and dental officers share in many aspects of service life.

Dentists working in universities with dental schools and teaching hospitals can, with relevant postgraduate qualifications, progress to a senior lectureship or professorial post.