What does a Dentist actually do?

The short version

Dentists diagnose and treat teeth and mouths — mostly as self-employed associates running a chair against the clock, not salaried clinicians. The route is a five-year BDS plus a foundation year, with GDC registration at the end.

The pitch: genuinely high earning potential, same-day procedural satisfaction, and demand that massively outstrips supply. The honest catch: you're self-employed almost immediately (no sick pay, your own indemnity), the work is physically punishing, and NHS vs private economics shape every treatment decision.

Entry routes that actually work

• BDS/BChD (5 years) — standard route; extremely competitive.
• Graduate entry (4 years) — for science graduates.
• Dental foundation year — mandatory salaried year before independent NHS practice.