how can i become a dentist?

curious15

hey im a 5th year student and i REALLY want to be a dentist but the points are so high...i was wondering if there is any other way of becoming one besides getting 570 points? some people say that belfast has lower points but I dont know...could anyone help me? also is there any way that i could become a dental nurse first then become a dentist?

ballsymchugh

hiya, you won't be able to go up the scale through nursing. maybe do a primary science degree and apply as a mature student after. have you applied to the uk?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I know several people who did it in cardiff, sheffield etc. Look into it. I suppose the trite answer is to study really hard and get the points, if you dont... repeat ( I did) to get the points.

Becoming a dentist through dental nursing or hygiene is taking the really long way round but is possible. Also several of my class mates had science degreed in microbiology engineering etc and applied as mature students however there are fee implications.

digzy

As a postgrad, anyone from my year had honours science degrees. it's pretty difficult to get into the uk also.I'm thinking one year of major hard work studing the leaving would be the most direct option.You'd want to be aware you need 2 from physics, chemistry, biology for UCC. think TCD accept ag science instead of biology.

day dreamer

Hi there,

the points are very high but it is worth it. Study as best you can and apply to Cork TCD Belfast and everywhere in the UK

You can apply as a post grad but it takes longer and will cost more. There would be no guarantee of a place that way either. There is no pathway for moving from a nurse to a hgyienist to a dentist, you would have to apply as a mature student as everyone else.

If you really want it as you say you will apply everywhere, do the study necessary, repeat if required and get there in the end. Good luck!

ballsymchugh

to add to digzy's, you need chemistry +one other science subject for UCC. like fitz, i repeated too. there's always a few in dentistry that repeat, but it's well worth it.

Big_G

Most repeat to get in afaik. Don't be looking for back doors at this stage. Aim high, you might surprise yourself. If you really want it, you'll get it.

day dreamer

I ended up repeating too, this is becoming a bit of a confessional. Anyway 6 of the people I repeated with ended up in my dental calss!