Why I Became a Dentist

Hi everyone! I’ve been asked to share a bit about my journey into the world of Dentistry and why I chose it as my career—a question I often get from patients, who sometimes look at me in bewilderment and ask, “What made you want to look in people’s mouths all day?” It’s a fair question, and it made me reflect on my path to this profession.

Early Career Aspirations

Back in school, I knew I wanted to pursue either Medicine or Dentistry. To explore my options, I organized several work experience days across various specialties within both fields. This hands-on experience was invaluable in helping me understand what each career entailed.

Discovering Dentistry

During my work experience in Dentistry, I was fortunate enough to witness a wide range of specialties, including general dentistry, specialist clinics in hospitals, orthodontic practices, and community special care clinics for patients with special needs. This exposure opened my eyes to the vast array of career pathways available in Dentistry—much more than I had realized. Would I become a children’s dentist, an oral surgeon, a gum specialist, or perhaps work in research? The possibilities were exciting!

The Human Element

One of my most striking memories from these experiences was observing the variety of patients the dental team interacted with daily. I was particularly impressed by how skilled they were at putting (mostly) nervous patients at ease as soon as they walked through the door. This moment was pivotal for me; it highlighted the importance of communication in Dentistry. It’s a skill that requires practice and finesse, and I remember wondering, “Would I ever be able to do this?”

The Hands-On Nature of Dentistry

Another aspect of Dentistry that drew me in was its hands-on nature. Growing up, I had hobbies that involved using my hands, such as playing the saxophone and piano. I was eager to channel that dexterity into my career, making Dentistry a more appealing option for me compared to Medicine.

A Blend of Skills

I found that Dentistry requires a blend of various skills—manual dexterity, strong communication, artistic ability, and academic knowledge—all of which resonated with my strengths and interests. Thankfully, I was successful in my application and interviews and eventually went on to study at the University of Leeds.

Reflecting on My Journey

Deciding on a career at just 16 years old is no easy feat, and I know it doesn’t always work out for everyone. However, I’m grateful for my journey so far. My varied experiences in postgraduate hospital training and in practice have been rewarding, and I look forward to further developing my skills in the future.

I hope this glimpse into my journey helps explain why I chose Dentistry as a career, although I don’t expect any of you to be making that career move just yet!

If you want to follow my journey and get a closer look at my day-to-day life as a dentist, feel free to follow me on Instagram @drtomdobson!

Tom