How to Find Dentist Work Experience

If you’re thinking about becoming a dentist, gaining dentist work experience is one of the most important steps you can take. Not only does it help you confirm whether dentistry is right for you, but it’s also a key part of the application process for dental school.

This guide explains the importance of work experience, the different types available, and how to find placements that will help you strengthen your university application.

Why Work Experience Matters

Work experience helps you understand what dentistry involves in practice, beyond what you might have seen as a patient. The last thing admissions teams at dental schools want is to make an offer to a student who is going to withdraw from the course after a few weeks. They want to know that you’re serious about the profession, have observed it firsthand, and are developing the interpersonal skills and motivation needed to succeed. That’s why it’s included as part of the entry requirements for almost all UK dental schools.

Dentistry work experience can also help you write a stronger personal statement and perform better in interviews. Reflecting on what you’ve observed — whether it’s the teamwork in a dental surgery, how a dentist manages nervous patients, or how treatments are explained — gives you concrete examples to draw on when talking about your interest in dentistry. If you’re applying for the best universities for dentistry, then having some excellent experience under your belt can give you an advantage.

Most dental schools recommend that students undertake at least one to two weeks of relevant experience. A mix of settings is ideal, but don’t worry if you can’t do everything — the quality of your experience and how you reflect on it are more important than ticking boxes.

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Types of Dentist Work Experience

There are several settings where you can gain relevant dentistry experience. Each offers a different perspective on the profession, and you should aim to explore more than one if possible.

Before you begin applying for placements, you should carefully check the specific work experience requirements of the dental schools you’re applying to. Some of your choices may not accept virtual placements, for instance – and you don’t want to waste valuable application time on something that won’t advance your application.

NHS General Dental Practices

This is often the most accessible and familiar environment. Shadowing a general dentist will allow you to observe routine check-ups, fillings, extractions, and interactions with patients. It’s a great way to see how dentists manage time, communicate, and work with their team.

To find a placement, start by contacting local NHS dental practices. A polite email or call explaining who you are and why you’re interested in shadowing can go a long way. Be ready to follow up, and have a short CV or introduction prepared in case they ask for more information. Note that many practices only accept students aged 16 and over.

Private Dental Practices

A private practice may offer a different range of treatments from an NHS one, such as cosmetic dentistry or implants, and allow you to observe a more business-oriented approach to patient care.

You can search online for private practices in your area and use the same approach as with NHS practices — contact them directly and professionally. It’s useful to mention that you’re interested in understanding different sides of the profession, including how private practices operate.

Dental Hospitals

Dental hospitals are usually linked to universities and provide specialist care. You might see oral surgery, orthodontics, or more complex treatments. Experience here is valuable because it shows you what more advanced stages of dentistry look like.

Hospital placements tend to be more formal and competitive. Look at NHS Trust websites to find information about their work experience programmes. These placements often require applications well in advance, so plan ahead.

Community Dental Services

These services provide dental care for patients with additional needs, such as those with disabilities, elderly patients, or people with dental phobias. Observing in this setting can be an excellent way to understand the social and emotional aspects of dentistry. This would make an excellent experience to reflect on in your personal statement and at interview. As many students won’t have done this type of placement, you will stand out more.

Start by searching for NHS community dental services in your area or ask your school careers adviser if they’re aware of any schemes. Even volunteering in related healthcare or social care settings can offer transferable insights.

Dental Laboratories

Dental technicians work behind the scenes to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances. Work experience in a dental lab helps you understand the technical side of dentistry and appreciate the teamwork involved in patient care. As with community dentistry, this would be a unique type of dentist work experience to include in your application.

To find opportunities, look for local dental labs online or ask a dentist if they can recommend a lab that might be open to shadowing. This experience is especially useful if you enjoy science and design.

Virtual Work Experience

Online programmes have become a popular way to explore dentistry, especially if you’re under 16 or struggling to secure in-person placements. These often include video case studies, webinars, and Q&A sessions with dental professionals.

A platform like Springpod, as well as some NHS Trusts, offer dentistry-focused virtual work experience. Some dental schools accept these as a valid component of your preparation, particularly when supplemented with reading and reflection.

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Plus, there’s the chance to gain a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification and earn UCAS points to boost your university applications.

How to Find and Apply for Placements

Finding dentist work experience can be competitive, so it’s important to be proactive and organised. Remember that it’s not unusual to have to apply to ten different organisations just to find one placement! But with these tips, you should stand a better chance.

Start early

Begin your search well in advance, ideally during Year 11 or the start of Year 12. Some hospital placements require applications months ahead.

Be professional

Whether you’re emailing or speaking on the phone, be polite and clear. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in dentistry, and ask whether they offer any shadowing opportunities.

Prepare a short CV

Include your GCSEs, A-level subjects, and any relevant interests or achievements. A short covering letter or email can also help explain your motivation and show that you’re serious.

Follow up

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back. Dental practices are busy, so a follow-up email or call after a week or two is perfectly acceptable.

Use your network

Let your teachers, friends, and family know you’re looking for placements. Someone might be able to connect you with a dental professional.

Apply to several places

The more practices or hospitals you contact, the better your chances. Keep a record of who you’ve reached out to and when.

Making the Most of Your Dentist Work Experience

Once you’ve secured a placement, here’s how to make it as valuable as possible:

Be punctual, polite, and respectful

First impressions count. Treat the experience as you would a job. If the staff where you’re doing your placement think you’re professional and reliable, they are more likely to expand the scope of your experience and to give you valuable advice.

Ask questions

Show genuine interest, but choose the right moment — for example, between patients or at the end of the day.

Observe actively

Pay attention not just to procedures, but to how the dental team communicates, manages time, and interacts with patients.

Take notes

Write down your observations each day during your dentist work experience. These will be helpful when writing your personal statement or preparing for interviews.

Reflect on what you’ve learned

Think about what you enjoyed, what challenged you, and how the experience shaped your motivation to study dentistry.

Using Your Experience in Applications

Your personal statement and interviews are your chance to show what you gained from your dentist work experience.

• In your personal statement, reflect on what you observed and how it strengthened your desire to become a dentist. Focus on specific things you observed or skills you gained — such as communication, empathy, or problem-solving — rather than listing everything you did.
• In interviews, you may be asked to describe your experience or what you learned from it. Be ready with examples and show how you’ve thought critically about the profession.

Remember, admissions tutors want thoughtful, motivated applicants who understand what dentistry involves and have demonstrated the initiative to learn more.

What if You Can’t Find a Placement?

Don’t panic. Many students struggle to find placements, especially in areas with fewer dental practices. If that’s the case:

• Make the most of virtual work experience options.
• Volunteer in health or social care settings to build transferable skills.
• Read widely about dentistry and keep a reflective journal.
• Consider attending a structured programme like a summer school.

Final Thoughts

Finding dentist work experience is tough, there’s no getting around it. Nonetheless, it is achievable with persistence and preparation.

Once you’re on a placement, use every opportunity to learn, reflect on what you observe, and take notes that will help you when it comes time to apply to dental school. Whether you shadow a local dentist for a week, attend a hospital placement, or join a summer programme, each experience helps you move closer to your goal.

Good luck!