Career pathways in dentistry

During the next decade we are likely to see the greatest changes in the way in which dentistry is delivered than at any point since the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948. The move in the primary-care sector from a mainly NHS service to a mixed economy, the emergence of more practices operated by bodies corporate and the possibility of high-street specialists will all impact on every aspect of professional life. For those trying to plan a career or looking to change pathways it can be difficult to identify which pathway to follow. The purpose of this article is to explore the possible routes for career development.