Dentistry in college

Tradceol

Hi all
I already posted this thread in the health sciences education forum but think it would be more suitable here.
I'm in fifth year at the moment and I'm interested in doing dentistry in either Trinity or UCC. I was wondering if anyone who has done either of these courses could let me know what they thought of the course. I know that I need to learn to walk before I can run but I hope to eventually study orthodontics, if any of the orthodontists/dentists on here could let me know what they think of dentistry as a career your advise would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Hi Tradceol, dentistry is an interesting and varied carrier. You need to be good at the books and also have above average manual skills. Its a tough course in college and you do not have the college social life of other courses, or the holidays. A lot of the teaching in dublin is by PBL so a lot of time spent in the library. You have to be able to learn on your own. I think its a great carrier, but the course is hard and much more focused than say a science degree or arts degree.

Its been a while since I did it so I cannot comment on the entrance criteria. However if there is an interview keep the orthodontics thing to yourself. They will hear that from everyone that day. Orthodontics is only one of about a dozen areas of dentistry, look into other areas that you may not have experience of yourself, some knowledge would be more impressive. It would be common for about half the 1st year dental students to want to be orthodontists, abut 1-2 will actually do it. You should also try arrange some work experience with a dentist to see what its like.

What are the points like at the moment?

Tradceol

Thanks very much for the reply.
I will definitely take your advise onboard regarding looking into other areas. To be honest orthodontics has only really become a new thing with me after recently finishing treatment.
Points are 580* in Trinity (not everyone who had these points got in) and 575 in UCC. I understand that it's aiming pretty high but I'm willing to put in the time.(one can dream!)
By any chance is there a way to get in through a science degree?
Will definitely arrange some work experience.
I know that the courses involve around 30 hrs per week - how did you find adjusting to this?
Thanks again.

Tradceol

Sorry I don't intend to be annoying! I don't have biology could this be an issue if studying dentistry ( I know it's not any entry requirement ). - I have chemistry and physics.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Nah chemistry and physics are more than enough. You will do basic sciences biology, chemistry, biochem, and physics in first year to bring your basic knowledge up to scratch.

Tradceol

Thanks a million for your replies fitzgeme, really appreciate it .

digzy

Tradceol wrote: »

Sorry I don't intend to be annoying! I don't have biology could this be an issue if studying dentistry ( I know it's not any entry requirement ). - I have chemistry and physics.

You'd wanna double check that one. afai remember when i entered tcd in the late 90's you needed biology/agricultural science along with either physics or chemistry.
ucc required biology plus phys/chem.

Tradceol

Thanks digzy
Was told that before but I think it must have changed recently. Just after checking -
UCC requires chemistry and either physics or biology. Trinity requires any two

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Should say that any of my comments are only about trinity and pretty out of date. What dentistry is like as a carrier i can answer how you get into dentistry these days, I don't really know much about that.

Tradceol

No problem at all fitzgeme thanks for your help - really appreciated!
I think I've figured out how to get in myself - a hell of a lot of study and a lot of luck !!

Oral Surgeon

Tradceol wrote: »

Hi all
I already posted this thread in the health sciences education forum but think it would be more suitable here.
I'm in fifth year at the moment and I'm interested in doing dentistry in either Trinity or UCC. I was wondering if anyone who has done either of these courses could let me know what they thought of the course. I know that I need to learn to walk before I can run but I hope to eventually study orthodontics, if any of the orthodontists/dentists on here could let me know what they think of dentistry as a career your advise would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Dentistry is a great job if it suits you op. The most important thing you could do is get some work experience in a busy general practice. Your visits to a nice orthodontic practice would be different to the day to day of general practice (not better or worse- just different and you need to be happy in that job)...

Differences being; An orthodontist will generally see willing patients keen to go from crooked to straight teeth and generally does not involve invasive operative treatment, pain, swelling and so patients are not very nervous etc....
In general practice, you will see a wide mix of patients from nice to difficult and often very nervous patients too. Treatment varies from check ups, cleans, fillings, extractions, crowns, bridges, dentures etc....

It is a varied job, orthodontics being one speciality. Remember that you need to do 5 years dent, then 2-3 years of experience (usually a hospital job), do membership exams and then compete for the few ortho post grad places available and do that for 3 years with all those exams and fellowships. There are many hurdles where you might fall or change direction so ultimately you need to like general dentistry too.....

You would need to be good at the books to get in...
After that, there is surprising amount to learn about teeth, medicine, materials and techniques. What separates the men form the boys is your manual skills and ability to work efficiently and skillfully in the mouth while still keeping your patient happy.

Another thing to consider is the long term job prospects. Truth is that it is not great at the moment but it's not great for any one... I still think that it is a good career to be in long term.
Dentists usually work in a more senior dentists practice for a number of years before opening up on their own, unfortunately these jobs are drying up at the moment. Most newly qualified dentists won't have the money, business experience or volume of patients to start up on their own straight away. Health board jobs are not happening these days. Some will go to the NHS or Australia to gain their experience before coming home to set up...

It is a 5 year full time course, generally 35-40 hours timetabled labs/ clinics/ seminars per week, in Trinity there was a strict roll taken, no skipping sessions here. Summer and Christmas hols are also less than other courses, 8 weeks for summer and 2-3 weeks for Christmas.

Once established, you can make a good living. Don't listen to people telling you that you'll be driving a gold plated Rolls, these people only count the surgery turnover and none of the expenses necessary in running a modern, clean and fully regulated unit. You need to have a business head on your shoulders and be willing to own and run your own business.

I was in Trinity so know nothing of UCC...

Good luck,
OS

Tradceol

Thanks very much Oral Surgeon - it's great to hear from people who have finished these courses. I have a genuine interest in dentistry and I'm definitely starting to understand how demanding it is as a career. Orthodontics really only a new wild thought! If I do get into dentistry and have finished, hopefully the country will have dramatically changed ( better to be optimistic )

Thanks again, really appreciate your help

nowyouresix

Tradceol: absolutely go for it. I trained in UCC. Hours once you get to the latter years were from 0830 to 1730 and then there's the study afterwards. Short holidays and long hours make it difficult to work part time if you need to part fund yourself. You need dedication and really good people skills too. There are many areas in which you can specialise, but again this will add years post grad. Having said that you have many options once you qualify as regards where in the world you want to work.
Best of luck with it, it is worth it to aim high.

Tradceol

nowyouresix wrote: »

Tradceol: absolutely go for it. I trained in UCC. Hours once you get to the latter years were from 0830 to 1730 and then there's the study afterwards. Short holidays and long hours make it difficult to work part time if you need to part fund yourself. You need dedication and really good people skills too. There are many areas in which you can specialise, but again this will add years post grad. Having said that you have many options once you qualify as regards where in the world you want to work.
Best of luck with it, it is worth it to aim high.

Thanks for your help.

EmerBaggott

Hi. Just wondering can someone go about doing dentistry as a mature or undergrad without having already a degree? Cheers in advance :-)