Medicine & Dentistry

Always wanted to help others? People who work in this sector are involved in the treatment and diagnosis of illness and injury. The career paths you can take, the people you can work with and the locations you can work in are as varied as you want them to be. You will need to be prepared for some serious training, but this will pay off. Medicine is a rewarding field to work in...

Related subjects

  • Chemistry

  • Biology

  • Maths

Related skills

  • Problem solving

  • Decision making

  • Teamwork

Related jobs

  • Doctor

  • Nurse

  • Pharmacist

Labour Market Information- Medicine & Dentistry

  • Medicine and Dentistry are two careers that are expected to have increased vacancies and need for job growth within the next ten years in the UK.

  • Graduates of Medicine and Dentistry are the most employable group within the UK at present.

  • In 2020, it is expected that there will be 5,000 more GPs than 10 years ago and 350 new physician associates. Around 150,000 doctors work in our NHS.

  • There are around 36,000 dentists in the UK.

  • The NHS is facing a shortage of dentists at present, with around 6,000 expected vacancies in the next ten years.

  • There are around 12,000 private dental practices in the UK.

  • London has on average more qualifiers in Medicine and Dentistry than the rest of the country, with 5% of students graduating from university having undertaken one of these degrees, compared to 2% in the rest of the country.

  • On average, 60% of graduates in Medicine and Dentistry are female, compared to 40% who are male.

  • In England, around 43% of NHS employees in the medical profession are from ethnic minority backgrounds. In dentistry it is 50%. This compares to roughly 14% in the general population.

  • Junior doctors in foundation training earn a basic starting salary of £27,689 to £32,050. Doctors in specialist training start on a basic salary of £37,935 rising to £48,075. The basic salary for specialty doctors ranges from £40,037 to £74,661. Newly qualified consultants earn a basic salary of £79,860 rising to £107,668 depending on the length of service.

  • As a newly qualified dentist, if you want to work in the NHS you'll have to complete one year of foundation training. During this time you'll earn a salary of £32,050. Most dentists are self-employed contractors in general practice, mixing NHS with private work. Profits of dental practices varies greatly but in general you can earn around £50,000 to £110,000. Wholly private dentists can earn £140,000+.

  • 15.4% of people in Redbridge work in Human Health Services, compared to 13.2% nationally.

Some further information on Medicine & Dentistry

The NHS was set up in 1948 to provide everyone in the UK with healthcare based on their needs, and not on their ability to pay. The NHS is respected throughout the world for the standard of care it gives to patients. Health Education England’s initiative for Schools called ‘Step into the NHS’ is a service specifically for young people dedicated to providing help and information for those interested in working in the NHS and other health employers in any one of the over 350 careers on offer.