• University of Glasgow

Becoming a Dentist

Decide if a dentistry career is right for you. Explore everything from the university application process to daily dentist duties.

3,900 enrolled on this course

A dentist and vocational trainee providing treatment for a patient

Becoming a Dentist

3,900 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Gain dentistry experience online before applying for a degree in dentistry

This course offers prospective dental students everywhere the chance to better understand what it’s like to be a dental student, how to ace the application process, and what a career in dentistry could hold.

You’ll learn everything from the importance of oral health for patient wellbeing to what a typical day looks like for a dentist.

Explore career opportunities in dentistry and what it takes to succeed

On this course, you’ll be introduced to the dental profession through a unique, virtual insight into the daily work of dentists. You’ll learn what qualities a dentist needs and find out the key daily activities dentists perform.

Hearing from existing dentistry students, you’ll discover different topics you would study as a dental student, and hear what it’s like to be a dental student at university today.

Gain dentistry work experience online

Work shadowing in a dental setting would normally be a core part of your application to a dental course. However, due to COVID-19 and its unique impact on dentistry, this valuable experience is not an option.

This course offers you vital insight into not only the unique nature of dentistry as a career, but also can be used as evidence of your dentistry understanding and passion for the subject.

Learn from the University of Glasgow admissions team and practicing dentists

This course includes contributions from the University of Glasgow admissions team who have detailed knowledge of the admissions process, as well as experienced practicing dentists in hospital and general practice.

By the end of the course, you’ll have enhanced your knowledge of what to expect from a dental course and what a dental career will entail, as well as gained valuable advice and experience around your dental degree or course application.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 4 seconds We know that COVID-19 has had a big impact on everyone’s ability to access work shadowing, particularly in dentistry. This short course aims to improve your understanding of dentistry by offering an alternative to work shadowing and will help you to decide if this is the right career for you. Our short course is aimed at people who are exploring the possibility of studying dentistry at university, and would like to learn more about the dental profession and what it’s like to be a dentist.

Skip to 0 minutes and 31 seconds Our course is interactive and throughout, you’ll get the opportunity to participate in discussions and polls, which will allow you to interact with the course facilitators, we’ll also invite you to read articles watch videos and listen to podcasts to illustrate the key learning points from each week. We hope that you’ll have enough information to feel ready to make your decision about studying dentistry.

What topics will you cover?

  • Understand the unique nature of dentistry as a career
  • Gain an insight into what the dental team does, how the team functions and the daily work of a General Dental Practitioner
  • Discover the impact that COVID-19 has had on the dental profession and the care we provide to our patients
  • Discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sustainability within dentistry
  • Learn all about the application process for dental school and hear from some dentists and students about the things they found most helpful when applying
  • Find out what you’ll study as a dental student
  • Discover the wide range of careers in dentistry open to you after you graduate from dental school
  • Learn about the importance of oral health to your general health
  • Join a discussion about why wellbeing and a good work life balance is so important for those embarking on a career in dentistry

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the main activities of a dentist and the dental team and the qualities a dentist needs to be able to carry out their roles
  • Explain the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of dental treatment
  • Understand the application process and the requirements for entry
  • Understand what's involved in studying dentistry at university, what university study involves and explore this through the experiences of current students
  • Explore the connections between oral and general health
  • Explore what it takes to be a dentist, what you'll study as a dental student, what careers are open to you on graduation, how COVID-19 has impacted dentistry and the connections between oral and general health

Who is the course for?

The course is designed for prospective dentistry applicants looking to study dentistry in the UK.

It will also be of interest to those intending to apply for courses in dental hygiene and therapy or dental nursing.

It may have a wider interest to school students, career advisors, and PSE teachers.

Who will you learn with?

I'm Professor of Oral Surgery & Violence Reduction & Honorary Consultant in Oral Surgery at the University of Glasgow. I've worked in violence reduction for 15 years & founded Medics against Violence

I am an oral surgery trainee/specialty registrar at Glasgow Dental Hospital and School.

Who developed the course?

The University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.

  • Established

    1451
  • Location

    Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 70Source: QS World University Rankings 2020

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 3 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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