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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Is dentistry a good choice?

17 replies

FuelIsTooExpensive · 12/03/2022 16:07

DD is very bright, got all A and A at GCSE and is predicted A & A for her A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. She puts loads of effort in though.

She has no real passion for any career yet but seems to be veering towards a dentistry degree. I've tried to steer her away from medicine as I think it's a shitty job these days and she's never had any interest in being a doctor. She doesn't seem to be all that interested in dentistry either and had previously made comments that I've pushed her towards it. I absolutely haven't but I'm trying to be supportive and have been encouraging her to narrow down course choices because some, like medicine etc, require additional tests in the summer. If I ask her why she wants to be a dentist she just shrugs but that's her general attitude at the moment with anything I say to her.

She had also said Natural Sciences interested her and I'd far rather she opted for that as it's very broad and gives her longer to decide what she wants to do but if I come out and say that I'll forever be blamed for the decision. She isn't comfortable speaking to people she doesn't know and I really can't see her selling herself in an interview for dentistry as you have to be passionate about it. Ultimately it's her choice and I'll support it whatever but I had no parental support when I applied to uni and I've forever regretted that as I would have made different decisions.

OP posts:

notnowbernadette · 12/03/2022 17:45

If your dd is unsure of what she wants to do I wouldn't recommend a vocational degree. I believe dentistry requires interviews just like medicine so if she cant articulate why she wants to be a dentist she will struggle. If shes not accepting of your advice you might just have to back off and let her find her own way.

Theflying19 · 12/03/2022 17:55

Lots of halitosis in dentistry...

In the end it has to be her choice. Has she the experience she wants? If she gets no offers after interview then she might benefit from a year out, try to get some experience in a dental practice - can be unpaid if she can do that as well as having a job and go from there.

Littlebelina · 12/03/2022 18:04

Could you suggest that she considers a general science degree for now (either natural sciences or a single science) with a look towards dentistry as a graduate if she decided that is way to go? That way she keeps her options open? It is difficult though, my parents steered me away from medicine and I do still occasionally have twinges of regret and look at graduate entry so ultimately you might be better leaving her to it (although I do think overall I'm better not being in medicine)

MallampatiCatty · 12/03/2022 18:09

Dentistry needs UCAT doesn't it? It did in my day (about 10 years ago). So she'll need to sit that this summer.

It's interesting you're pulling her away from medicine yet towards dentistry. There are sub specialties within dentistry and I'm sure she'd find her niche. However, it sounds like she hasn't made her mind up yet. There's far more variety and choice within medicine for somewhat yet to find their niche. When you say it's a shitty job have you considered pathology, radiology or public health for example? It's not all ward work. I'm an anaesthetist and love my job. I've worked hard to get here and my locum rate is £1000 a shift at the moment - it's not at all "shitty." I'm well looked after within my department and wouldn't want to do anything else.

Either way. Don't push her towards either if she isn't interested. Both are highly competitive, difficult careers in their own rights. Those that went to dentistry/med school who were pushed by their parents typically dropped out mid degree in my experience and half a degree is worth nothing.

Natural sciences isn't a bad option. Equally any degree in whichever subject that truly piques her interest at a top university is also good if she'll get excellent grades overall and enjoy herself. A few more years to decide on her career may not be a bad idea anyway. You can do dentistry post grad but you won't get a second tuition fee loan so would have to cover part of that yourself.

Bickles · 12/03/2022 18:25

Dentistry is a very difficult career so you have to really want to do it.
I don’t think I would do it if I had my time over again.

RampantIvy · 12/03/2022 18:28

Perhaps she would be better off taking a gap year to decide. This is what DD did.

I have never come across A** as a GCSE grade before. Where is this?

CraftyGin · 12/03/2022 18:34

Dentistry is a good choice - if you have passion for it.

DS announced when he was about 9 that he wanted to be a dentist. He based this on going there twice a year, someone having a quick look inside his mouth, giving him a toothbrush and sticker.

How much does your DD know about dental treatment rather than just hygiene?

Does she have a business brain, as many practices are solo and being good at upselling is an advantage.

She should get some work experience or shadowing from your dentist.

TarcasticSwat · 12/03/2022 18:45

"She doesn't seem to be all that interested in dentistry either and had previously made comments that I've pushed her towards it...If I ask her why she wants to be a dentist she just shrugs".

You might not want to hear it but it seems like you are taking too much of a role in deciding a career for her. She doesn't seem to enthusiastic about a career in dentistry. I think you need to step back and let her decide her future.

Original poster

FuelIsTooExpensive · 12/03/2022 19:19

A** is what the new grading of 9 is I think?

I don't think she should pursue dentistry at all as she doesn't seem that bothered. I don't care what career she chooses, it's her life and as long as she's happy that's good enough for me.

OP posts:

MarchingFrogs · 12/03/2022 20:33

She isn't comfortable speaking to people she doesn't know and I really can't see her selling herself in an interview for dentistry as you have to be passionate about it.

Never mind not coming over well in the interview- she will actually have to be
comfortable talking to her patients, putting them at ease (some people get very distressed at the dentist's...), explaining procedures, treatment options etc. Really not a profession for someone who isn't keen on talking to people.

There is a Careers Quiz in the 'Undergraduate' section of the UCAS website - you have to register to take the full version, but there is a basic version and a 'buzz quiz' accessible without doing this.

Mimijamroll · 12/03/2022 20:37

Agree, Marching Frogs, you do really need to be a people person to do dentistry.

RampantIvy · 12/03/2022 20:41

A is what the new grading of 9 is I think?

Sorry, I was confused. So she got 8s and 9s at GCSE then.

TizerorFizz · 12/03/2022 21:11

This all sounds a bit intense.

Does she have any interests outside studying? She seems somewhat blinkered in doing her school work but there must be more to her than that? What else interests her? Do any people interest her? What does she talk about?

What about straight sciences? Chemical engineering? Why did she choose these subjects when she could gave done plenty of others? Was it medicine driven? Natural sciences is broad. I would leave her to do her own research. She might even find something she likes.

Bickles · 12/03/2022 21:27

Talking to people is the main part of our job! Really important. I think being an extrovert makes it much easier.
Dentistry is a mess at the moment if I’m honest. However it can be a very rewarding career and is easy to do part time so good for women.

titchy · 12/03/2022 22:23

but I'm trying to be supportive and have been encouraging her to narrow down course choices because some, like medicine etc, require additional tests in the summer.

She obviously doesn't want to do dentistry so I'm not sure why you're getting her to make a decision now, given that she won't need to do any summer tests

Leave the poor girl alone. If she suddenly decides to do any sort of medicine next year she can do the tests next summer and go a year later.

Angrymum22 · 12/03/2022 22:43

I wanted to be a dentist from the age of 14. I liked the creative side of it and it’s very much a practical career. Medicine was an option but I wanted the hands on side, surgery, female surgeons at the time were as rare as hens teeth. You couldn’t really combine a career in surgery and a family.
Dentistry was a better option with more opportunity to combine family and a part time career. I am from the generation that still expected to marry and have children.
The biggest selling point was that you could work 2 days a week and still earn more than the average family income.
It is a very stressful job, more stress now with the rise in litigation and the higher expectations of patients.
But after 35+ years I still love working. In 2 yrs I will be 60 and will take my NHS pension but intend to carry on working privately.
It’s not a career choice it’s a vocational calling. You really have to be comfortable with the work you do. Blood features a lot. Mouths can be grim places and patients anxiety levels are heightened.
If you’re daughter is interested then work experience is essential. Manual dexterity is necessary. You can be super intelligent but if you can’t fill a tooth you will struggle. Also working under pressure and being calm and controlled in a crisis desirable.

sixthformdropout · 14/03/2022 23:49

Like others have said, it sounds like it may be better for her to keep her options open with a different, less vocational STEM degree if her heart isn’t really in it. Good luck to her

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