Completing dental foundation training marks a significant milestone in your dental career, serving as a gateway to numerous professional opportunities. As you contemplate your next steps, consider these pathways to advance your career and refine your skills.
Gaining Experience in Different Practices
Starting as a dental associate offers the chance to work in various dental practices, exposing you to different work environments and patient demographics. This experience can help you identify your preferred practice type and patient population, guiding future career decisions.
NHS, Private, or Mixed Practices
Choosing between NHS-only, private-only, or mixed practices depends on your career goals and preferred work environment. NHS practices often provide steady patient flow and predictable income, while private practices may offer higher earning potential and more opportunities for complex procedures. Mixed practices provide a balance, offering experience in both settings.
Utilizing Tools like Denota
Administrative tasks can be overwhelming, but tools like Denota can simplify your workflow. Denota helps you quickly write dental notes using AI, track income across different practices, and manage other administrative tasks, allowing you to focus more on patient care.
Dental Core Training offers another pathway, particularly if you're interested in hospital-based dentistry. DCT provides opportunities for further mentorship, development of complex clinical skills, and exposure to various specialties. While the pay may be lower compared to general practice, the experience and skills gained are invaluable for those considering specialization or advanced roles in dentistry.
Community dentistry is an option for those interested in serving public health needs. It typically offers a salaried position with a slower-paced work environment. This field focuses on preventive care and treating underserved populations, providing a fulfilling career option for those passionate about public service.
Pursuing postgraduate training allows for specialization in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, or periodontics. Specialization requires additional training and certification but can significantly enhance your expertise and career prospects.
Exploring non-clinical roles is another avenue. Positions such as clinical fellow roles offered by the Chief Dental Officer Programme or positions in dental consulting offer opportunities to develop leadership and administrative skills. These positions can provide a different perspective on the dental field and open doors to various career paths.
For those interested in academia or research, pursuing a master's degree, Ph.D., or additional training in public health can be rewarding. These qualifications can lead to careers in teaching, research, or roles in health policy and administration.
The journey after dental foundation training is filled with opportunities. Whether you choose to work as a dental associate, pursue further training, or explore non-clinical roles, the key is to align your career path with your personal interests and professional goals. By leveraging tools like Denota and considering various career paths, you can continue to grow and succeed in the dynamic field of dentistry.
Watch the demo to see a real example procedure and the notes produced. 📽️