It used to be that job security was almost a guarantee and being a dentist was an exemption from the uncertainty of job security. Nowadays, with the implementation of national recruitment and only limited dental foundation training posts, UK graduates are being pushed out by the competition.
Dentists are all too soon hit with reality after graduating and this has a negative effect across the country for young dentists. There are reports that there are too many dentists for the positions available in the UK. Principals are inundated with stacks of CVs and applications when a dental associate position becomes available.
The higher education establishments have been rumored to soon cut the number of applicants to dental school to compensate for the amount of dentists searching for jobs. Recently due to the surge of the number of dentists in the UK, more and more dentists are applying for an SHO or DF2/DCT position because the associate market is saturated. Hospital positions are now more competitive than ever and applicants have to really stand out from the crowd to a get a position.
Knowing whether to stay in general practice or specialise can be a tough decision to make. With the contract reform coming along, it seems the general dentist will have to take extra measures i.e. post graduate training, to prove they are capable of carrying out the more complex treatment plans for patients. The days of just having a BDS are diminishing.
Dentists have to understand there are a lot of other professions and jobs that a far worse off. Attend courses, undertake postgraduate training, build a portfolio with high quality clinical photographs, write journals and articles, become a member of the LDC, ask patients to write testimonials, observe local specialists to learn new skills. Don’t forget do things outside of dentistry, employers like well-rounded individuals that patients will return to see.
Now is a better time than ever to connect with each other and support one another as a profession. Dentistry can be a lonely place sometimes, especially when moving location just to secure a job and income. There is a need for all dental professionals (nurses, dentists, hygienists, specialists and technicians) to come together as one big supporting team.
The Dental-Network www.thedental-network.com was launched with the aim of being a free dental professional directory all in one place to allow networking between every dental professional in the UK.
The dental-network is an interface that can be used for getting in touch with old college friends or previous work associates, and as a place to create new friendships. It's easy and quick to share information with each other to build business relationships with local like-minded dental professionals and businesses, as well as strengthening your referral network. The website relies on members signing up to become the UK’s first free powerful dental directory service.