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Original poster

DS wants to be a dentist - any tips?

24 replies

melodyangel · 19/04/2011 00:09

Ok so DS1 is sticking to his guns and still wants to be a dentist, has for a couple of years now. He's doing he's AS's at the mo. Biology, Chemistry, History and Music and if he continues to work really hard hopefully he will get the A grades he will need. He did some work experience at a dentist surgery over Christmas and hopefully will be able to do more this summer.

Has anybody got any other tips or advice to help us help him to achieve his goals?

OP posts:

ragged · 19/04/2011 06:00

No tips, but I am very impressed at his determination. Great career choice, I'm sure.

senua · 19/04/2011 08:21

This is going to sound a bit left field, but does he have any craft-type hobbies? Dentistry involves modelling teeth etc, getting the occlusion just right. A friend's DC was called to interview and had to take an example of something (anything, it was up to them) to show their skill and dexterity.

AKissIsNotAContract · 19/04/2011 08:28

Yes he may well have to do something which demonstrates dexterity. I really enjoy my career in dentistry, although tuition fees weren't an issue when I trained.

Bonsoir · 19/04/2011 08:29

Is he good at Arts & Crafts?

Original poster

melodyangel · 19/04/2011 10:35

Er he plays violin and double bass and bass guitar. Would that count??? I could teach him to make sugar flowers although not sure taking sugar to an dentistry interview is such a good idea.

OP posts:

Bonsoir · 19/04/2011 10:38

Being musical is lovely... but not relevant.

The very best dentist I have ever had was also an art collector and published critic; he was himself a gifted artist. Dentistry requires super fine motor skills and a good eye.

Original poster

melodyangel · 19/04/2011 10:55

I was hoping playing an instrument would display motor skills. Ok so suggestions would be good. He doesn't paint at all, well apart from those little war hammer people.

OP posts:

Bonsoir · 19/04/2011 11:03

If he does that well, and neatly, that's already a good sign!

AKissIsNotAContract · 19/04/2011 12:09

The warhammer would be fine, and would give some insight into his personality. When I applied, people were bring examples of DIY, origami, dress making, so quite a range of things.

cuckooclock · 19/04/2011 15:43

I had a dentist who sang to me. he was in a choir. It really helped to put me at ease. Silly question but is English and/or maths not required?

Clary · 19/04/2011 15:50

Doesn't he need Physics A level any more? When I were a lass you needed all three sciences.

Grumpystiltskin · 19/04/2011 19:30

At present most (all?) dental schools ask for Biology and Chemistry +1 other, not general studies. Something that shows a breadth of interest can help (history would be a good one). You would need to start speaking to admissions tutors to see how highly they will regard music (which I know is a properly hard subject having been kicked off GCSE music!!) as it may be one of their "soft options" and not count as the other A level but would do for the AS level.
As you know he needs 3 As but also some good work experience in the care sector (not necessarily as a dentist) like a care home or volunteering for something involving well, the narky public as that will demonstrate his maturity and how he won't just take the easy option when it comes to a difficult situation.

I don't like being a dentist and regret choosing it but haven't got the confidence to leave so I would advise getting as much work experience as possible. I think it takes a very special sort of person (like aKiss) to love the job.

Good luck!

NoelEdmondshair · 19/04/2011 19:36

Grumpy - just out of interest, why don't you like being a dentist?

Grumpystiltskin · 19/04/2011 19:51

I find it very high pressure (even though I work in a fairly protected environment) and you can't have an off day because you're scared that you'll get sued. I worry constantly if I've not been able to do something as well as I should in case something happens and the patients has pain or some other problem.
Patients can be very demanding and incredibly ungrateful even when (for example) they miss their appointment but demand to be seen or they will complain to the GDC and you work through your lunch to see them and they just get up and walk out of the surgery when you've finished.

Just stuff like that, lots of things I hate about it but I have a 9 year plan (it was 10 years!) to stop dentisting and do something I enjoy.

And when people say "I hate the dentist" a hundred times a day (it's a joke yes but it does get to me).

malachysmum · 19/04/2011 23:09

He would need good people skills, they are just as important as the academic skills. A visit to the British Dental Association Library could be worthwhile.

sprinkles77 · 19/04/2011 23:35

Hmmm. I'm another dentist who used to hate the job. Have moved jobs, still dentisting though, and am much happier. Assuming DS has the academic and manual skills to get through the course (both of which can easily be developed if he is keen). He needs enormous people skills, empathy, patience, a sharp business mind. None of these are taught at dental school, and are actually quite hard to learn. They are also not attributes not normally found in teenagers, so it's hard to tell if he'll develop them. He really needs to find someone to give him some work experience, ideally he needs to spend some time in different kinds of practices (private / nhs / hospital / community). This can be hard to arrange due to health and safety and the fact that most of us feel under enough pressure as it is. Try a family friend (or even your family dentist). His school might have contacts.

Clary · 20/04/2011 00:39

I had a uni pal who was training to be a dentist. She hated the wire bending I recall.

I once said to her "will you still be doing this when we're all in our 30s?" Oh no, she said, I won't do it for that long!

We're all mid (ahem! late more like!) 40s now and AFAIK she's stil bending wire so there must be something good about it

I luuuvre my dentist btw, he's the best, and I say this as someone who had had a lifetime of really not liking going.

NoelEdmondshair · 20/04/2011 05:12

Sorry to hear that, Grumpy. I've sometimes worried about the stress I might cause my lovely dentist because I'm quite high maintenance - not rude or demanding just v. anxious. But I make him laugh and am very appreciative of him - and my DD thinks he's fab. Good luck with the 10 year plan - need to get one of those myself

Lollypolly · 20/04/2011 05:22

Model aeroplane making for dexterity and and some volunteer work at a local hospital / hospice for patience / people skills. Apparently these are as important as dentistry work experience...

AKissIsNotAContract · 20/04/2011 08:46

Sorry to her you don't like your job grumpy. I think I remember from a previous thread we were both on that you work in salaried dental services? When I first got into dentistry I did it because I wanted to help those most in need. Unfortunately I soon became disillusioned and moved to private dentistry. The money is better but that's only a small part of it. It's far less stress. Patients are generally much politer and more motivated. 10 years is a long time to be unhappy in a job. Maybe moving to private would suit you?

Grumpystiltskin · 20/04/2011 09:26

I have thought about it but it makes me so nervous! Just the thought of having to market my services to people. I am thinking about writing to some local GDPs and asking them if I can do a sort of internship (unpaid obviously) in my leave as I think if I could get the hang of it before I was responsible, it may help.

sprinkles77 · 20/04/2011 13:59

Grumpy, I felt the same way for exactly the same reasons. Having spent so long (10 years) enduring, defending and trying to do the best I could on the NHS I felt like I was selling out going private. I have been very very lucky finding a practice principal who has taken me on and is prepared to mentor me and develop the skills I need. Try to take the plunge, we trained for a long time and to give up would be such a waste. I totally agree with AKiss, the money is not the motivation, the lovely, polite, clean, motivated, intelligent patients are. As is the opportunity to do the dentistry you were taught to and be paid appropriately. It really does not need to be about unnecessary cosmetics and unreasonable expectations.

sorry, not helpful for OP! I did lots of volunteer youth work which went down well in interviews (try your religious community eg church), demonstrating some dexterity is good, so musical instruments. May be he could take up something new, this would demonstrate not only dexterity but that he can pick up new skills (provided he can do it to an adequate standard), something like woodwork would show some imagination too. Or how about he learns some useful DIY skills: dexterity, technical skills, dealing with stress? If he can do some basic plumbing (put in and disconnect a washing machine, change a wheel or spark plugs, change a plug, unblock a sink and toilet) that would be useful too. These are bound to be within his abilities (my 18 year old brother can manage them easily).

blondebutonlyfaking · 20/04/2011 14:09

Sorry - have to post and run but...

Get your DS to research very carefully what uni's he's going to apply for - don't rely on careers guidance at school.

The reason is that if he doesn't get what he needs first time round, not all uni's will take resits and most will only take if you've applied to them first time round.

Happened to a friend of my DS and he ended up up shit creek without a paddle and is having to do a biomed degree and then look at graduate entry schemes.

Original poster

melodyangel · 20/04/2011 17:31

Thank you everyone. We went to our very lovely dentist today and she gave him a whole heap of magazines and he is going to do some work experience with her. He is also contacting the local health care dept. to see if he can do any work in schools as part of his extended project.

It's really good to hear all your comments about all aspects of the job I wouldn't want him to think it's all a bed of roses.

He actually has really good people skills and is really confident. Always has been I have no idea were that came from as I'm really shy.

He's been looking at the dentistry schools and has a few short listed. We have also talked about other options if he doesn't get the grades or if he doesn't get to interview or any offers, which we have been warned can happen even with A grades and work experience.

It is all very new to me as I haven't been to uni. I'm so proud of him but wish they didn't grow up so fast.

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