Few people like to go to the dentist, but most of us go anyway. According to a recent poll, about two-thirds of UK residents visit the dentist on a regular basis. What does this tell us? For one thing, it tells us that most people care about the health of their teeth. It also tells us that dentists will always have work.

Unlike doctors or lawyers who work in large firms, hospitals or practices, most dentists work alone. Three out of four dentists are solo practitioners. And they do quite well. The average dentist in the UK makes between 77,000 and 85,000 pounds.

What does it take to become a dentist? A student must first graduate from uinversity with a degree in dentistry from an accredited dental school. The candidate must than pass a series of written and practical exams. A final year of supervised work at a reputable dental practice is required before the candidate receives his license.

As we mentioned, most dentists in the UK are general practitioners and they are employed by the National Health Service. Many dentists also work as specialists in lucrative dental fields like orthodontics or endodontics.

Why become a dentist? You will always have work. That is a given. We also know that there is a shortage of dentists in the UK, which means that salaries should continue to rise faster than the national average. Dentists also have a lot of freedom in their jobs, since they often work alone and have total control over the number of patients they see.