Dentistry.

A Dentist is a professional looking after oral health and giving both treatment and diagnoses in this area.

A dentist needs to have good eyesight and dexterity to carry out their work but must also have a liking for people and an interest in their oral health and welfare. After a dentist completes their training they can choose to work in a variety of areas including family and private practice, armed forces, community as well as university teaching.

There are only 13 dentistry schools in the UK and it is competitive to get into. The course is 5 years long and results in the attainment of a bachelors degree. The student will receive both an academic education as well as practical training and will look at areas including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology and dental materials as part of their degree. A high standard of academic achievement is required to get into university and these do vary slightly from university to university so are well worth checking out if you're thinking of applying.

Upon qualifying from university the student then registers with the general dental council which is required of all dentists.

After qualifying as dentist it is possible to study further and to specialise in a chosen area. Some of these areas include:-

Orthodontics
Endodontics
Paediatric dentistry
Prosthodontics.

Some dentists may work in forensic deontology which deals with the gathering of dental information to be used in legal work and proceedings. Geriatric dentistry is another area in which they may work and this involves working with the elderly client in treatment of age related dental problems.