Why Dentistry? Katie

I’m currently a final year dental student at the University of Manchester. Over the past couple of years at dental school, I have discovered a particular interest in Paediatrics and Oral Surgery.

As a current Student Ambassador for the School of Dentistry at Manchester, I have seen the gruelling application process that prospective dental students experience in order to study on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course. Personal statements, interviews, the dreaded UCAT (formerly UKCAT) and top grades – some may even ask why we bother with it all? Though there are many alleged drawbacks to the profession, dentistry encompasses a wide range of desirable career aspects and I have been lucky enough to experience the majority of these first-hand over the past 5 years – the first being…

1. The opportunity to help people daily

Not just the cliché quote that is the opening to everyone’s personal statement (guilty!). The drive to help others becomes an everyday reality as dentistry can truly improve a person’s quality of life, from treatment as simple as a filling to more difficult cases such as full-mouth rehabilitation. That rewarding feeling when you surpass a patient’s expectations is like no other and really makes the years of undeniably tough training truly worth it.

2. Continuity of care

Becoming a dentist is a lengthy journey, but made bearable by the lifelong relationships forged with patients and the dental team along the way – from diagnosis to completion of treatment. Evidence suggests that continuity of care within healthcare services prolongs life expectancy, as reported by The Times.

3. A hands-on profession

Providing the opportunity to be creative and artistic, dentistry involves fine detail in almost all procedures. The profession encompasses so much more than just being good at science in school, with excellent manual dexterity and focus required for more intricate procedures.

4. Continued professional development

Dentistry is an ever-changing profession with non-stop learning as new advancements and technologies come to the surface. Whether it be the phasing out of amalgam fillings or the introduction of 3D printers, the field is continuously changing for the better. As dentists, we are dedicated to life-long learning for the benefit of our patients.

5. A stable career

For me, a travel enthusiast, nothing is more appealing than a custom-built career with the flexibility to reduce my hours whilst being confident in my financial situation. I was told long ago that dentistry is a perfect career for those who want more of a work-life balance and to raise a family. There is also the opportunity for career independence, which is something many dream of but may never achieve in different lines of work.

6. Career prospects

There are a number of different avenues you can take following graduation with a BDS, with different specialisms and options to work in both private and NHS practice. This is something I am particularly excited about, loving almost all of the specialities – who knows where I will end up.