There has been a recruitment drive recently to tempt more dentists into the NHS. KERRY ANN EUSTICE asks a practising dentist for his insight into the job

Qualifications:

I have a BDS Honours in Dental Surgery, which I studied in India.

I also completed a two-year statutory registration course in Liverpool, so I could practice in the UK.

It is also common for dentists to attend refresher courses once a month where they can receive updates on treatments or train in an specialist area or interest.

Place of work:

Woolwich Dental Practice.

Earning potential:

Today NHS dentists and private surgeons have quite similar earning potential, unless you work overtime.

The average per annum is about £50,000 to £60,000.

What hours do you work?

The surgery is open 9.30am to 6pm Monday to Thursday. It closes at 5pm on Fridays and on Saturdays we work until 1.30pm.

What is your typical day like?

It is a very busy job. I carry out a variety of tasks from general treatments such as fillings to time consuming processes such as root-canal treatments. I repair crowns and bridges and polish teeth.

If patients need specialist treatment such as implants, surgical work and orthodontics, which involves practices such as teeth straightening via braces, we refer them to the hospital.

I also advise patients on dental hygiene.

There are many other treatments on offer now too, which you can have in specialist cosmetic surgeries, such as tooth whitening, for example.

Why did you decide to become a dentist?

I have always had an interest in dentistry and my family has a long background in the area.

There are quite a few dentists and doctors in my family and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.

I remember I was always very intrigued by their medical professions.

Where do you want to go from here?

I plan to continue in the role and hope to carry on learning as dental science progresses.

I have no plans for the immediate future but perhaps one day I would like to open my own dental practice.