Dentistry is one of the most in-demand courses in the UK, both in terms of academic and career levels.
Dentistry is a well-reputed job and a well-paid career with an average annual salary of ~₹50,62,364 per year. However, the dentist in UK salary may vary across states depending on other factors, such as area of specialisation or level of experience.
According to Glassdoor, the highest and lowest salary ranges for a Dentist in the UK are ~₹36,59,906 and ~₹70,52,014 per year.
Dentistry is considered a challenging and highly competitive field, but it is equally rewarding in terms of salary and work-life balance.
In this blog, we’ll discuss in-depth details about being a Dentist in the UK, along with information on Salary, Benefits, and Visa information.
Dentist in UK Salary: Overview
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The average dentist in UK salary varies depending on where you work. A dentist could be self-employed or work in sectors such as National Health Service (NHS), Private, or speciality care.
The salaries vary depending on whether you work for the public or private sector. Below is a breakdown.
| Service Level | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Private Sector | ₹1,24,97,240 |
| Public Sector | ₹44,63,300 |
As per data from payscale.com, about 10% of dentists, mostly freshers, earn around~₹26,77,980 and can go up to ~₹60,70,088 for a dentist with 4-9 years of experience.
Every newly qualified doctor wishing to join the NHS care has to do a one-year foundation training, after which your salary will increase gradually.
And only 10% of dentists earn above the national average of ~₹50,62,364 annually. Your salary increases with your level of expertise, work location, and employment sector.
Dentist in UK Salary Based on Experience
Your experience level is a great way to measure your level of expertise in a field. Dentists with more experience tend to earn more than newly qualified dentists. As you build experience, you learn new skills and techniques and form networks that result in higher salaries.
Though experience is a boosting factor, it is not the only parameter considered during hiring. If you’re a fresher with exceptional skills to speak for you, you can earn great salaries.
Below with the dentist in UK salary based on experience level.
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| 0-3 Years | ₹40,16,970 |
| 4-9 years | ₹60,70,088 |
| 10-20 years | ₹98,19,260 |
| 20+ Years | ₹1,26,75,772 |
Dentist in UK Salary: Based on Specialisation
The area of specialisation is one of the important factors in determining the dentist in UK salary.
A General dentist helps in treating diseases and aids in the prevention of diseases related to your teeth, whereas a specialist is qualified in any area of tooth-related diseases, which makes them more qualified for the specific field.
For example, an endodontic deals with diseases related to your teeth’s pulp and periauricular region. This makes them a better option for a disease related to this area. Also, the fewer specialised doctors in a field make you more in demand and increase the range of dentist in UK salary.
Some of the high-demand dentistry specialisations are Cosmetic dentistry, Implant dentistry, and Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Given below are the specialisations in dentistry and the range of dentist in UK salary for each area.
| Specialisation Area | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Prosthodontist | ₹32,88,291 |
| Pediatric Dentist | ₹59,81,268 |
| Periodontist | ₹59,81,268 |
| Endodontists | ₹59,81,268 |
| Orthodontist | ₹82,90,847 |
| Oral Pathologist | ₹1,82,68,465 |
| Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology | ₹2,09,15,380 |
Prospective dentists must get a detailed insight into the dentist in UK salary structure before pursuing a course. While scrutinising the salaries, it is essential to note that myriad factors alter the dentist in UK salary.
Dentist in UK Salary: Highest Paying Cities
Area of work is an important element to decide before you go forward with your dentistry career.
The average range of dentist in UK salary differs across the cities.
A major reason for this difference is the difference in living wages in the cities. The living cost of cities like London (~₹96603 per month, excluding rent) and Cambridge(~₹88,858) are way higher than Birmingham (~₹73,584) or Exeter (~₹75,584).
Below is the list of top-paying cities with an higher range of dentist in UK salary.
| City | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Harlow | ₹89,50,880 |
| Leeds | ₹72,37,687 |
| Nottingham | ₹71,45,118 |
| Liverpool | ₹69,21,953 |
| Southampton | ₹69,10,705 |
| Bristol | ₹66,79,417 |
| London | ₹63,52,793 |
| Manchester | ₹63,41,188 |
| Huddersfield | ₹54,63,257 |
| Birmingham | ₹50,09,964 |
Although the highest-paying cities are a major attraction for job applicants, make sure to compare your average salary with the average living cost of the region. This could help you to save more and spend less.
Dentist in UK Salary: Top Companies
The range of dentist in UK salary varies across private and public sectors. On average, dentists in the private sector tend to earn more than dentists in the public sector.
The average dentist in UK salary for the private sector is ~₹1,24,97,240, and the dentist in UK salary of the public sector is ~₹44,63,300.
The average dentist in UK salary of private hospitals or clinics also varies depending on the firm you work for.
Below is the list of the top five UK companies that provide high payments for dentists in the UK.
| Company Name | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Mydentist | ₹87,07,947 |
| Damira Dental Studios | ₹82,20,993 |
| Colosseum Dental Group | ₹80,02,430 |
| Dental Partners UK | ₹79,36,914 |
| Together Dental | ₹74,10,383 |
Working in a top private company will assure you of a high-salaried position and a more stable job than being a self-employed dentist. However, you can enjoy more flexibility while working as a self-employed.
Types of Dentist Career Options in the UK
After completing your studies in dentistry, you have more than one career option in the UK. You can be a General Dentist Practioner (GDP) or a Hospital Dentist. Your choice determines your annual income and other responsibilities as a dentist.
General Dentist Practitioners
A General Dentist Practitioner is any qualified dentist registered with the General Dental Council. Being a general dentist practitioner, you can work in a self-employed sector or prefer a public firm.
Public sector work lets you maintain a fixed work schedule and stable salary, whereas private or self-employed firms help you earn more.
Below is the average salary for general dentist practitioners in the private and public sectors.
| Service Level | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Private General Dentist Practioner | ₹ 1,24,97,240 |
| Public General Dentist Practitioner | ₹44,63,300 |
According to your preferences such as flexibility of work hours, pay scale, or the stability of income you can choose between private and public sectors.
Hospital Dentists
Dentists also opt for hospital dentistry roles. These roles are usually at the consultant level and include fields such as oral surgery, orthodontics, Paediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial dentistry, and others.
A Hospital dentist deals with cases of special difficulty and provides treatment for long-stay hospital patients or emergency treatment for short-stay patients.
Being a hospital dentist promises a more stable work position and a more regular salary.
The average scale of dentist in UK salary for a hospital dentist remains the same as that of the dentist in UK salary for a general dentist practitioner. However, the salary varies across private and public hospitals.
| Service Level | Average Annual Salary in INR (Approx.) |
| Private Hospital Dentist | ₹ 1,24,97,240 |
| Public Hospital Dentist | ₹44,63,300 |
Working as a dentist in the private sector, especially in top companies like Mydentist, Damira, Dental Studios, or Colosseum Dental Group can assure you of a higher annual salary
How to Become a Dentist in the UK?
Becoming a dentist in the UK requires an average of 5-15 years. The course is popular for becoming one of the high-salaried career paths in the UK.
1. BDS or BChD
The first step in becoming a dentist in the UK or any other country is completing a bachelor’s in dentistry. In the UK, the undergraduate degree of dentistry is called a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS or BChD). The duration of the course is five years. There are four different types of undergraduate degrees for dentistry, depending upon their duration and entry-level.
- Standard Entry: The Standard Entry Dentistry course is the basic course in dentistry that most students opt for. The course can be pursued after completing your higher secondary education in the science stream. The duration of the program is five years.
- Graduate Entry: The Graduate Entry program is only for students with an honours degree in any science subject or for healthcare professionals with a degree. The duration of the course is four years.
- Dentistry with Preliminary Year: This dentistry course is designed for students with an A level or equivalent score in their higher secondary but who did not study the required science subjects.
The duration of the course is six years. In addition to the standard five-year dentistry degree, an extra year is given in the beginning to give you the necessary science training to catch up with others.
- Gateway to Dentistry: This program is only for the native students of the UK. It is designed for students with high abilities but lacking proper socioeconomic and/or educational conditions for the dentistry course.
2. Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD)
Once you complete your undergraduate in dentistry, you can apply for a master’s in dentistry.
You are eligible for a master’s in dentistry, if you have graduated from a school of dentistry approved by the CODA. The CODA, or Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association is the national accrediting agency of the USA for dental and dental-related education programs.
If your institution is not accredited to CODA, you can still apply for a master’s if your institution’s curriculum and admission requirements are similar to those of the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
The course duration varies from 1-5 years, depending upon your university and specialisation.
Students enrolled in the MSD program will be awarded a postgraduate certificate in their chosen speciality area.
Some of the areas of specialisation available in the UK are given below:
- Endodontics
- Oral Pathology
- Oral Medicine
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
The average range of dentist in UK salary varies depending upon your specialisation area. For example, a dentist specialised in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology earns ~₹2,09,15,380 annually, whereas a Prosthodontist earns ~₹32,88,291 per year.
3. MPhil
After completing a bachelor’s and master’s in dentistry, if you still wish to continue your studies you can opt for an MPhil in Dentistry. The average duration of the course is 1-2 years. An MPhil is a research-based program where you study under a supervisor in your chosen field.
4. PhD
Adding a PhD to your educational qualifications can boost your expertise in the field. After completing your master’s or MPhil in dentistry, you can go for a Ph.D. in the field. The duration of a Ph.D. in Dentistry is 3-4 years on average. Similar to MPhil, your program will be research-based, but on a more specified field. Usually, a PhD is opted if you are willing to continue your career as a professor in dentistry.
Top 10 Universities in the UK for Dentistry
The UK is renowned for its quality education and multicultural study environment. Dentists are among the top-paid professionals in the UK, and dentistry is one of the most popular courses in the country.
The UK hosts some of the most prestigious universities in the world, especially for dentistry. You can complete your dentistry studies in the UK with a bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil, and if needed a PhD as well.
Given below is the list of top 10 universities in the UK for dentistry.
| University | Average Annual Tuition Fees in INR (Approx.) | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| University College London | ₹35,78,000 | 8 |
| The University of Manchester | ₹49,17,000 | 28 |
| King’s College London | ₹32,75,000 | 37 |
| University of Leeds | ₹29,29,000 | 86 |
| University of Birmingham | ₹22,75,000 | 91 |
| University of Sheffield | ₹27,41,000 | 96 |
| Newcastle University | ₹28,56,000 | 122 |
| Queen Mary, University of London | ₹27,98,000 | 125 |
| Cardiff University | ₹38,39,000 | 166 |
| University of Dundee | ₹13,23,000 | 354 |
In addition to the above list, there are numerous other famous institutions in the UK, that provide a good dentistry degree. This includes the University of Glasgow, the University of Plymouth, and the University of Liverpool.
Final Thoughts
Similar to most medical degrees the average time taken to complete your studies in dentistry is 5-15 years on average. In spite of the duration, the course is still popular in the UK, due to the financial stability and job reputation it provides.
Although the total time taken for your studies from undergraduate to Ph.D. is around 5-15 years, you can start practicing as a dentist after your 5-year undergraduate degree itself. However, increasing your educational qualification will increase your job growth as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the gender ratio among Dentists in the UK?
According to a study by the ADA Health Policy Institute, male dentists earn 54 percent more than women dentists in the UK. But, the gender ratio among dentists is changing day by day with statistics reflecting that in 2021, 48% of dentists in the UK were women, while 39.4% of dentists were men and 12.6% belonged to unknown groups.Â
Q. What is the average salary increase for Dentists in the UK?
The average salary hike in one year for dentists is 7% in the UK. Furthermore, effective in August 2021, the average salary increase of dentists was recorded to be 5.5% which is higher than the NHS workers are awarded by the government.
Q. How can an international student become a dentist in the UK?
International students can pursue their dentistry studies in the UK. This requires you to finish your higher secondary education first. Most medical and dental schools in the UK prefer the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as part of their selection process. It is an online test designed to test your cognitive abilities, critical thinking, attitudes, and logical reasoning. Once you clear the test you can apply for various universities according to your score.Â
Q. What is the average wage of a Dentist?
The average range of dentist in UK Salary is ~₹50,62,364 per year. However, this varies across states and depends upon several other factors such as area of specialisation, level of experience, and expertise. The average highest-paid dentist in UK salary is ~₹70,52,014 per year, whereas the least-paid dentist in UK salary is ~₹36,59,906
Q. Which is the highest paying city for a Dentist in the UK?
Some of the highest paying cities of the UK for a dentist are Harlow (~₹89,50,880), Leeds (~₹72,37,687), Nottingham (~₹71,45,118), Liverpool (~₹69,21,953) and Southampton (~₹69,10,705). Location of work is not the only factor that determines your salary as a dentist in the UK. It also depends on your level of education, years of experience, and expertise in the field.
Q. Do dentists earn more in the private or public sector in the UK?
Dentists in the private sector tend to earn more than dentists in the public sector of the UK. The average range of a dentist in UK salary in Private Sector is ~₹1,24,97,240 whereas the dentist in UK salary for Public Sector is ~₹44,63,300. In spite of the salary, doctors in the public sector enjoy more stable work with a regular income.Â
Q. Can I pursue a master’s in dentistry after BDS in India?
Yes, you can pursue your master’s in dentistry in the UK, after completing your BDS from India. You are eligible for a master’s if you have graduated from a school of dentistry approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or if the curriculum and admission requirements of your institution are similar to those of the UW School of Dentistry.
Q. Can Indian dentists work in the UK?
Yes, an Indian dentist can practice in the UK. Being foreign citizens, you will have to clear IELTS beforehand. In addition to that, you are also required to attend an equivalency exam known as the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE), conducted by the General Dental Council (GDC).
Q. What is the average salary for Indian dentists in the UK?
The average salary for a dentist in the UK is ~₹50,62,364 per year. Your salary does not depend upon your nativity. It depends upon other important factors such as your level of experience, area of specialisation, level of expertise, or work location. The average highest-paid dentist in UK salary is ~₹70,52,014 per year, whereas the least-paid dentist in UK salary is ~₹36,59,906.
Q. How much does it cost to study dentistry in the UK?
Studying dentistry in the UK is expensive. The cost of completing your dentistry course in the UK differs depending on the degree type, duration, and institution you opt for. On average, a bachelor’s in dentistry costs ~₹32,97,354 per year. Since the standard bachelor’s in dentistry lasts around 5 years, this could be ~₹1,64,86,770 in total.
Q. What are some similar professions in the UK other than dentistry?
A few high-paying professions similar to dentists are chief dental officer, surgeon, orthodontist, dental specialist, general practitioner, anesthetist, surgeon, dental technician, clinical radiologist, and pathologist. The average annual salary of a Chief Dental Officer is ~₹72,64,606 and that of a Dental Specialist is ~₹59,71,330.
Q. How many years is dentistry in the UK?
The average duration of the dentistry course in the UK is 5-15 years. This includes 5 years of bachelor’s, 1-5 years of master’s, 1-2 years of MPhil, followed by 3-4 years of PhD. However, you can start practicing as a dentist soon after your bachelor itself.
