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The Work of a Dentist
Dentistry is the branch of medicine concerned with teeth and gums and the health of the mouth.
Dentists in general practice are responsible for the dental health of their patients, using a variety of preventive and restorative measures. Many whose first preference would be medicine choose dentistry as an alternative and this can be a mistake. You are strongly advised to speak to your dentist and spend a day with him or her to learn what dentistry is about as a profession.
Educational and Other Qualifications
Both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork offer courses in Dentistry. General admission procedures to study of Dentistry is competitive and based on the points systems for students presenting Leaving Certificate or Matriculation examinations.
There is a minimum points entry level and these are minimum subject requirements; these may differ between the two universities.
Because of the demand for places many Irish school-leavers apply to Dental Schools in the United Kingdom throughout the UCCA system.
How to become a Dentist
The Dental Science Course at Trinity College is a full-time five year course.
The first part of the course is devoted primarily to the biological sciences, prevention and community care, physiology, anatomy, biochemistry and a course called human diseases, which embraces general medicine, general surgery and pathology. Together with pharmacology and microbiology, these courses are now incorporated into a problem-based learning approach. The clinical dental courses increase in emphasis throughout the five years, incorporating areas of learning associated with dentistry, scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and attitudes to health and disease in society.
At UCC the course leading to the BDS degree also takes five years. The first two years of the course are spent on the university campus studying basic medical science. The last three years are spent in the Dental School and Hospital.
Employment and Promotional Prospects
The majority of dental graduates enter general practice, providing a complete service to patients in diagnosing, treating and preventing oral and dental disease, correcting irregularities and replacing missing teeth.
There is a significant capital outlay before a Dentist can set up an independent practice. A large proportion of graduates enter the public dental service which provides care for medically entitled patients and children through the public health clinics operated by the Health Boards.
A small number of graduates will find opportunities in the dental hospitals as house officers or registrars, perhaps with postgraduate qualifications leading to consultant positions. A university teaching career for those with a good academic record is another possibility. Teaching is always combined with opportunities for research. Many large companies sponsor dental clinics for their employees and a career as an Industrial Dentist has the attraction of enabling the practitioner to run an efficient clinic based on the resources of a large organisation.
The salary levels are higher in the earlier stages of a dental career than in most other areas. However, it is not the easiest way to earn money and rewards are well earned in what is a demanding position.
Health Considerations
Dentistry is unsuited to those with serious sight problems. It requires good psychomotor co-ordination. It is a stressful if stimulating job and not suited to those who might suffer from excessive degrees of anxiety.
Where to go for Further Information
School of Dental Science
Dublin Dental Hospital,
Lincoln Place,
Dublin 2.
University Dental School and Hospital,
Wilton,
Cork.
Tel: (021) 545100
The above information is provided by FAS National Occupation & Career Guidance Service |
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