Dentist Salary UK
Salary data from ONS ASHE for the occupation group “Dental practitioners” (SOC 2253). Some figures may be unavailable due to small sample sizes.
Pay by career stage and region: Dentist salary by region · Dentist salary London · Dentist salary North East · Dentist salary Scotland
About this role
Dental practitioners diagnose, treat and prevent oral health conditions. They examine patients, perform dental procedures, provide preventive advice and manage clinical teams within dental practices or hospital settings, as classified under the 2020 Standard Occupational Classification.
Key responsibilities
- Examining patients and diagnosing oral health conditions
- Performing dental treatments including fillings, extractions and restorations
- Providing preventive care advice and oral health education
- Managing dental practice operations and clinical teams
- Maintaining patient records and ensuring regulatory compliance
Qualifications and entry routes
Requires a BDS or equivalent dental degree (5 years) and registration with the GDC (General Dental Council). Specialists require additional postgraduate training.
Career outlook
Significant NHS access challenges are driving expansion of private and mixed practices. Specialist areas (orthodontics, implants) offer premium earnings.
Key skills
Common industries
- NHS dental practices
- Private dental practices
- Hospital dentistry
- Community dentistry
- Orthodontics