Loading...
Dentistry Work Experience
Your work experience will be the backbone of your UCAS personal statement and will inform conversations during the interview stage. Every prospective dental student must immerse themselves into a career in dentistry. Work experience allows students to learn about what the career involves and test their suitability for a career in dentistry.
Benefits of Dental work experience
Deciding on Dentistry: Work experience is important for insight development. Shadowing a dentist demonstrates to admissions tutors that you know what the career is like and you know what you are applying for. During your dentistry work experience you will get the opportunity to speak to both Dentists and allied healthcare professionals. Being curious and asking questions to those you are shadowing can help you:
- Find out more about the career you will be going into.
- Gain insights from individuals.
- Receive admissions tips and practical advice from people who have been in your position.
- Gain useful contacts for future dental related work-experiences.
Dedication to Denstistry: Work experience helps you demonstrate your dedication for dentistry and develop transferable skills. There are no blueprint criteria for how many weeks of work experience you need and where from. Our advice is to expose yourself to as many different dentistry related clinical settings as possible. embracing all available opportunities.
Dentistry beyond Dental School: A degree in dentistry can lead to a variety of careers beyond work in a community practice. Dentists may be based in the community, in public health roles and in dental hospitals. Try to get a diverse range of work experience considering applying to clinical academies or dental research centres.
Types of Dental Work Experience
Dental work experience may involve shadowing general dental practitioners. It is useful to apply to both NHS and private practises. Community dental care experience will allow you to develop an understanding of how dentistry can be delivered in patient’s homes, nursing homes, community clinics and mobile clinics. Hospitals and orthodontic treatment centres will also accept prospective dental students.
As well as shadowing experience dental schools equally value paid or voluntary work, where students are caring for others. Through voluntary placements you can develop the skills and attributes required in dentistry, showing your altruistic nature. To find out more about volunteering opportunities search the DO-IT database online, join the Reach volunteering community or visit your local volunteer centre. You can find more information in our guide on dental application work experience.
Stages to applying and completing Dental work experience.
1. Finding placements to apply to and compiling a list of contacts.
Career’s advisors and sixth form tutors will have contact with students who are studying dentistry or direct contact with dentists and care providers in the area. Doing your own research is also important. Ask around any personal contacts you have in local Dental practices, hospitals, or care facilities. It is important to apply several months in advance to work experience placements and try to be flexible with your availability. Competition is tough and many institutions do not accept students so don’t be demoralised if you don’t have responses to your emails or if practices cannot take you on.
2. Send emails and apply for work experience.
Within your email applying for dentistry ensure you include the following: Who you are, including your current level and area of academic study; what you hope to gain from the experience; your skills, attributes, extracurricular activities and relevant hobbies (consider drafting a CV); your contact details and your availability.
It can be useful for practices to have an insight into what you want to gain from your dental work experience. The practice may be able to tailor your experience to meet your wants and needs shadowing a variety of professionals. The Dental Schools Councils toolkit for organisations may be useful to provide your practice with.
3. Attend your work experience.
When you are on work experience you are representing the career and practice that you are shadowing in. Professional behaviour is extremely important arriving on time, smartly dressed and mentally and physically ready to learn. It may be useful to do some research about the practice or dental environment so you can come prepared.
4. Reflect on your work experience.
Dental schools are not only looking for students who have completed dental work experience but those who have reflected and learnt from their experiences. Following each day of your experience complete a reflective diary including what you learnt and observed. Consider how this informed your desire to study dentistry and what skills the dentist you shadowed demonstrated.
Talk to one of our University Admissions Experts!
recommended
premium
Struggling to get Dental Work Experience?
If you are struggling to find available opportunities dental schools recommend that you show curiosity and interest in dentistry in alternate ways. This may involve completing online e-learning courses, reading about dentistry, or talking to dentists. You can also book our Future Dentist experience, where we’ve organised all the placements so you can gain hands-on dental skills without the added hassle!
Frequently Asked Question
→What is dentistry work experience?
Dentistry work experience refers to the practical training that dental students or aspiring dentists undergo to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. It is a crucial part of dental education that helps students acquire skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary for their future careers.
→What types of dentistry work experience are available?
There are various types of dentistry work experience available, including shadowing, volunteering, internships, and paid work. Shadowing involves observing a dentist as they perform their work, while volunteering involves assisting in non-clinical tasks such as reception or administration. Internships and paid work involve more hands-on clinical experience.
→Do I need dentistry work experience to apply for dental school?
While dentistry work experience is not always a requirement to apply for dental school, it is highly recommended. Most dental schools look for applicants who have demonstrated a strong interest in dentistry and have gained some practical experience. Moreover, work experience can enhance an applicant’s personal statement and interview performance.
→How long should dentistry work experience last?
The duration of dentistry work experience can vary depending on the type of experience you are pursuing. Shadowing experiences may only last a few days, while internships or paid work may last several weeks or months. It is important to check the requirements of the opportunity you are interested in and ensure that it fits within your schedule.
→Why is dentistry work experience important?
Dentistry work experience is important because it provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life situations. It helps them develop clinical skills, communication skills, and professional attitudes necessary for a successful career in dentistry. Moreover, work experience can enhance a student’s CV and make them stand out in a competitive job market.
→Can dentistry work experience lead to a job in dentistry?
Yes, dentistry work experience can lead to a job in dentistry. If you perform well during your work experience and demonstrate a strong work ethic, you may be offered a job by the dental practice or organization where you worked. Moreover, having work experience on your CV can make you a more attractive candidate for future job openings.
Was this article helpful?
Still got a question? Leave a comment
Leave a comment