Careers and employability
At the School of Dentistry, we encourage you to begin your career preparation from day one. Alongside our award-winning Careers Centre, we're proud to offer our students a wide range of career support through our Leeds for Life initiative.
Career destinations in dentistry
The courses we offer are divided into four main subject areas, each leading towards a different career path. We tailor our teaching and support to suit your ambitions, providing you with the best guidance to turn you into an outstanding graduate and dental professional.
Dental Surgery
This five-year integrated Masters and Bachelor degree course is the only one of its kind in the UK. Aimed at students wishing to train in dental surgery, this course comprises both MChD and BChD elements. The benefits to you are:
- The BChD element is registerable with the General Dental Council, qualifying you to practice dentistry once you've graduated.
- The MChD element shows employers you have Masters level skills and attributes that help you stand out in the competitive marker of modern dentistry.
Find out more about a career as a dentist.
Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
For those who want to train as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, this course opens the doorway to careers across all sectors of dentistry from community dentistry to defence medical services. By studying with us, you'll learn the essential technical and personal skills to become superb practitioners. As well as the typical career paths into dental hygiene and dental therapy, you’ll also be well positioned for a career in other related areas, such as research, regulation or in education.
Find out more about a career in dental hygiene or dental therapy.
Dental Technology
Combining science and art, dental technologists craft a range of prosthetics and appliances for patients. Our BTEC Extended Diploma and Dental Technology enables you to develop your skills in both aspects of the field and allows you to study alongside other students at Leeds Dental Institute, with three laboratories which are used for integrating theory and practice.
Find out more about a career in dental technology.
Dental Nursing
Working as part of the dental team, dental nurses assist and support with all aspects of patient care. This requires a depth of technical knowledge as well as valuable communication and people skills.
The training undertaken in outreach clinics across the region is important in developing these strengths. We offer two different course options both available full-time or part-time. By providing both advanced apprenticeship and national diploma options for dental nursing, we offer flexibility for students, whilst giving you superb teaching and clinical experience needed to kick start a dental nursing career.
Find out more about a career in dental nursing.
What is Leeds for Life?
Leeds for Life is about preparing our Dentistry students for their future in line with our University Values and Partnerships. It is a unique resource, exclusively available to students at the University of Leeds and aims to help you make the most out of your time here.
From recording your academic achievements, to helping you organise one-to-one careers catch ups, Leeds for Life makes sure staff and students work in close partnership. Find out more about how Leeds for Life can help you develop your skills and improve your employability.
Enrichment and personal development
To build upon your experience of studying with us and advance your personal development, you'll find a fantastic range of opportunities available at Leeds. With over 200 societies on campus, from volunteering to subject specific societies like our very own Dentsoc, there's something for everyone.
These societies are a great way to meet new people and make new connections while also helping you showcase important skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication.
Are you a dental student looking to make a difference in your local community? Our Open Wide initiative aims to break down barriers of entry to the dental profession for children from under-represented backgrounds around Leeds. It's a great opportunity to make a difference, while also learning more about your community and profession. Why not get in touch and find out more about how you can get involved?