Dentistry

Dentistry is one of the most demanding and rewarding healthcare professions, combining clinical skill with patient care, scientific knowledge and the kind of manual dexterity that takes years of training to develop. Dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth, gums, mouth and jaw, and they play an important role in oral health promotion and in the early detection of systemic conditions that manifest in the mouth. The profession requires both technical excellence and the interpersonal skills to put anxious patients at ease and build long-term therapeutic relationships.

At the University of Glasgow, this five-year programme is delivered at Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, which is located in the city centre and provides facilities for patient care, student clinical practice and training, and education and research in dental and oral diseases and disorders. You will develop a thorough grounding in the biological, clinical and behavioural sciences underpinning dentistry, alongside the full range of clinical skills needed for independent dental practice. Patient contact begins early in the programme, and you will develop your clinical competence progressively through supervised practice in the dental school and in a range of clinical settings throughout the degree.

Graduates who complete the programme and obtain their dental degree are eligible to register with the General Dental Council and can pursue careers in general dental practice, community dentistry, hospital dentistry and academic or specialist careers. Many enter NHS and private general practice, which offers both employed and self-employed models. Specialisation in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics or paediatric dentistry is possible through postgraduate training programmes.

The dental profession offers strong long-term career prospects and considerable scope for professional development across clinical, academic and leadership dimensions.