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Applying to specialty training

During dental specialty training, you will refine advanced skills, gain expert knowledge, and prepare to excel in specialised patient care.

Introduction to specialty training

While most dentists work in general practice, you may choose to pursue recognised postgraduate training to qualify for one of the GDC’s 13 specialist lists. Only dentists registered on one of these lists can call themselves a specialist, protecting patients from unjustified claims of expertise.

The GDC’s recognised specialities include:

  • Dental and maxillofacial radiology
  • Dental public health
  • Endodontics
  • Oral and maxillofacial pathology
  • Oral medicine
  • Oral microbiology
  • Oral surgery
  • Orthodontics
  • Paediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Restorative dentistry and its mono-specialities: endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics
  • Special care dentistry

The specialist list for oral and maxillofacial surgery is maintained by the General Medical Council (GMC), requiring a medical degree and separate legislation. 

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Specialty training

Chairside: Conversations about careers in dentistry

We’re chairside with two specialty trainees. We’re asking if there’s a better time to do it? How difficult is it to apply? How competitive is it? And can you take on other challenges at the same time? We cover academic research, starting a family and what do you really need to know before you take the leap into specialty training. Join us for a frank and open conversation about this much desired pathway in dentistry.
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