How To Get Work Experience for Dentistry

Getting work experience for dentistry can be hard, especially if you don't know any dentists personally. But here's the good news: there are loads of ways to gain valuable experience that will boost your dental school application.

This guide will show you exactly where to look, how to apply, and what to do with your experience once you've got it.

 Key Takeaways

• Work experience in dentistry shows dental schools that you really get what being a dentist is like.

• Any role involving patients, hands-on tasks, or teamwork counts. This includes shadowing dentists, volunteering in care homes, or helping in dental labs and pharmacies.

• There are loads of ways to gain experience, from local practices and NHS programmes to virtual placements and online shadowing.

• Take notes, ask questions, and show what you’ve learned. Focus on communication, empathy, and hands-on skills to make your application stand out.

Why Work Experience Matters for Dentistry Applications

Dental schools want to see that you truly understand what being a dentist involves. They're not just looking for students with great grades; they want people who know the realities of the profession.

Work experience proves your commitment. It shows you've taken the time to explore dentistry (opens in a new tab) beyond textbooks and TV shows.

Admissions tutors look for evidence that you understand the manual skills involved in dentistry. They want to see that you've built communication skills and empathy through real-life interactions.

Your work experience helps them answer a crucial question: Will you stick with dentistry when the going gets tough?

What Counts as Dentistry Work Experience?

You might think you need to shadow a dentist to get good work experience. While that's brilliant if you can arrange it, there are actually loads of other options that dental schools value. Some include:

• Direct dental observation: This includes shadowing general dentists in NHS or private practices, or observing in dental hospitals and clinics, like orthodontics or oral surgery.

• Supporting roles in dental settings: This includes reception work in dental practices, assisting in dental labs, or even cleaning roles in dental clinics.

• Healthcare and care work: Volunteering in care homes, hospitals, or health charities shows your empathy and communication skills.

• Activities that develop manual skills: Things like art, crafts, playing musical instruments, or even detailed model-making show that you can work with your hands.

• Leadership and communication roles: Scout leaders, volunteers with children, and first aid trainers all build skills that dentists use every day.

Where To Find Dentistry Work Experience

If you’re wondering how to get work experience in dentistry, here are some options:

Local Dental Practices

Your local dental practices are often your best starting point. Most dentists are happy to help students – they were in your shoes once, too.

Start by making a list of all the dental practices within travelling distance. Check their websites for contact details and any mention of work experience programmes.

Write a polite email or letter introducing yourself. Keep it short and professional. Mention that you're a sixth-form student interested in dentistry and would appreciate any opportunity to observe.

Be flexible with your availability. Offer several different dates and times, including school holidays and weekends, if possible.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back immediately. Practices are busy, and your email might get overlooked. Follow up politely after a week or two.

Dental Hospitals and NHS Programmes

NHS dental hospitals often run structured work experience programmes. They are more competitive than private practice shadowing, but they offer fantastic learning opportunities.

Search the websites of your local NHS trusts and university hospitals. Look for sections on education, training, or work experience.

Some dental schools run their own work experience programmes. Check the websites of nearby dental schools to see what they offer.

These placements often have specific application deadlines, so plan ahead. Applications for summer programmes might open in January or February.

Other Options That Can Boost Your Application

• Dental laboratories offer a different perspective on dentistry. You'll see how they make crowns,  bridges, and dentures. This work requires precision and attention to detail – skills that directly apply to dentistry.

• Care homes are brilliant for developing people skills. You'll learn to communicate with vulnerable adults and understand different health needs.

• NHS volunteering shows your commitment to healthcare. Many hospitals have volunteer programmes where you can help patients and families.

• Pharmacy work gives insight into medicines and patient care. Even a Saturday job in a pharmacy shows your interest in healthcare.

Virtual Work Experience

When in-person opportunities are limited, virtual work experience can fill the gaps. Platforms like Springpod (opens in a new tab) offer online work experience programmes with healthcare providers.

Dental Mentor (opens in a new tab) and Medic Mentor (opens in a new tab) offer virtual shadowing experiences and career insights from real dental professionals.

YouTube channels featuring clinical procedures can give you insight into dental treatments. Just make sure you're watching reputable medical education channels.

Remember, virtual experience should supplement, not replace, hands-on experience. You'll need to reflect carefully on what you've learned when writing your applications.

How To Apply for Work Experience in Dentistry

Getting work experience for dentistry often means reaching out directly. It can feel a bit scary, but most dentists and healthcare teams really appreciate students showing interest.

Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:

1. Research who to contact. Look for local dental practices, NHS dental hospitals, or university programmes. Check their websites for work experience info or staff contacts.

2. Write a clear subject line. Something like “Sixth form student seeking dental work experience” works well.

3. Introduce yourself briefly. Say your name, your age, what you’re studying, and why you’re interested in dentistry. This helps the recipient understand your background.

4. Explain what you’re looking for. Be specific: shadowing, volunteering, or observing a dental team.

5. Show your commitment. Mention any relevant skills or experience, even if small. Highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

6. Be flexible. Offer different dates and times, including school holidays or weekends, if possible.

7. Keep it short. Busy professionals like emails that are clear and to the point.

8. Follow up politely. If you don’t hear back within a couple of weeks, send a friendly reminder. 

Want a ready-to-use template? Check out our guide on how to write the perfect cover letter for work experience. It includes examples you can adapt for dentistry placements.

How To Make the Most of Your Dentistry Experience

Once you've secured your dentistry work experience, make sure you get the most out of it. Keep a daily journal of your observations. Write about specific procedures, patient interactions, and the skills you see being used.

Pay attention to ethical scenarios. How do dental professionals handle difficult conversations? How do they ensure patient consent and comfort?

Ask questions, but pick your moments carefully. Don't interrupt during procedures, but show interest when there are quieter moments.

Notice what surprises you about dentistry. Is it more technical than you expected? More focused on communication? These insights are gold for your applications.

How To Use Work Experience in Your Dental School Application

Your personal statement shouldn’t be just a list of placements; it should tell a story about your journey towards dentistry. Use specific examples from your work experience to illustrate your points.

Here’s how to make your work experience stand out:

• Reflect on what you learned. Don’t just write “I shadowed Dr Smith for three days.” Instead, try something like: “Watching a root canal showed me how dentistry combines precision with patient care. I noticed how Dr Smith explained each step to anxious patients, which taught me the importance of clear communication.”

• Connect your experiences to bigger themes. Think about how different experiences taught you valuable lessons. Volunteering in a care home may have taught you to treat patients with dignity, while dental lab work could highlight attention to detail.

• Show personal growth. How has your understanding of dentistry changed? What surprised you? What challenges did you notice, and how would you handle them in the future?

• Highlight skills you’ve developed. Communication, empathy, teamwork, and manual dexterity all matter. Use examples from your placements to show these in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't get dental shadowing experience?

Don't panic if direct dental shadowing proves impossible. Admissions tutors understand that not everyone has the same opportunities.

If you’re struggling with how to get work experience in dentistry, focus on related experiences. Healthcare volunteering, care work, and activities that develop manual skills all demonstrate relevant qualities.

Be honest about your efforts in your personal statement. Explain what you did to seek opportunities and what you learned from alternative experiences.

Virtual work experience and extensive research can help fill knowledge gaps. Show that you've made every effort to understand the profession.

Can I get dentistry experience before I'm 16?

Many formal work experience programmes have age limits because of insurance and safety rules. However, you can still gain valuable insights.

Volunteer with organisations that develop relevant skills. St John Ambulance, Scouts, or local care charities all offer opportunities for younger students.

Speak to your school careers adviser about any connections they might have. Some schools have established relationships with local healthcare providers.

Use this time to research thoroughly and prepare for applications when you're older. The more you understand about dentistry, the better positioned you'll be.

How many hours of work experience do I need for dentistry?

There's no magic number of hours that guarantees dental school admission. Quality matters more than quantity.

A week of meaningful experience with good reflection can be more valuable than months of passive observation.

Most successful applicants have a mix of experiences totalling several weeks, but this varies widely.

Focus on depth of learning rather than hours logged. Admissions tutors can spot genuine insight from a mile away.

What skills should I show in my dental school application?

Dental schools look for a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. Manual dexterity is important, but so is emotional intelligence.

Communication skills are crucial. Can you explain complex ideas simply? Can you listen to and empathise with others?

Show evidence of attention to detail and precision. This might come from art, music, crafts, or academic work.

Demonstrate resilience and the ability to work under pressure. Team sports, challenging hobbies, or overcoming personal difficulties all provide examples.

Leadership experience shows you can take responsibility and guide others. These skills are essential for healthcare professionals.

Getting Started in Dentistry

Remember, the goal isn't just to get into dental school, it's to discover whether dentistry is truly right for you. Use your work experience as an opportunity for genuine exploration.

Be persistent but realistic in your search for opportunities. Every "no" gets you closer to a "yes", and every experience teaches you something valuable about yourself and the profession.

Most importantly, don't compare your journey to others. Everyone's journey to dentistry is unique, and admissions tutors value diverse experiences and perspectives.

Keep exploring different areas of dentistry through your experiences. See which A Levels you need to be a dentist for guidance on the best subjects to support your future applications. 

Curious about what it takes to get into dental school? Check the University Dentistry Acceptance Rates to see what top programmes value most in applicants. 

Good luck in your search!

References

Springpod (opens in a new tab) 

Dental Mentor (opens in a new tab) 

Why Study Dentistry At Uni? | UCAS (opens in a new tab)