Dentistry
This course, typically lasting five years, is the first step to qualifying to practice as a dentist. It involves studying anatomy, physiology and biochemistry alongside placements to learn practical skills, such as taking a medical history, conducting dental examinations and deciding on appropriate treatment.
Alongside good grades in the right subjects, some dentistry courses use admissions tests such as the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT). Check specific entry requirements carefully. (https://www.ucas.com/ucas/subject-guide-list/medicine-and-allied-subjects)
Undertaking work experience can also help you better understand the profession and give another dimension to your university application.
Find out more about becoming a dentist from the British Dental Association (https://bda.org/students/careers-education/becoming-a-dentist).
These subjects are usually essential for most courses
These subjects could also be useful
More information
Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science degrees are competitive. Choosing the right subjects at A Level or equivalent will maximise your chances of a successful application.
For Medicine, if you do chemistry, biology and one from maths or physics you will keep all the medical schools open to you. If you do chemistry and biology, you will keep open the vast majority. If you do chemistry and one from maths and physics, you will significantly reduce your range of choices.
For dentistry, most courses require chemistry and biology, but some require maths or physics as well.
For veterinary science, taking chemistry and biology and one from maths or physics should leave all universities offering this subject open to you.
For some courses, it may be possible to include a non-science or non-maths subject in your overall combination but check carefully.