Recently, several clients have mentioned trying to dissuade their children from following in their career footsteps. This prompted me to reflect on the pivotal choices we make as young adults. I asked several medical clients: if you had your time again, would you still be a doctor? Interestingly, they all without conferring, said they would be dentists instead. Well, almost all—one wanted to be a fighter pilot, but he’s always had that dream, so he doesn’t count!
Let’s examine the two options from a financial perspective, doctor or dentist. We’ll leave the Top Gun aspirations for another day. Both professions require a similar amount of time at university, resulting in hefty debts. Therefore, there is no clear advantage at the point of qualification.
But which profession rewards you better once you’ve qualified?
Just Qualified
Because dentists can begin practising relatively quickly after qualifying, their earnings potential is reached more rapidly. As a doctor, an FY1 will earn just under £30,000 plus on-call, whereas a newly qualified dentist is likely to earn £40,000+ in their first year as an associate.
Of course, it’s not all about the money; quality of life also plays a significant role. Dentists typically work more civilised hours compared to doctors, who often endure night shifts, rotate every six months, and work weekends.
Mid-Career Point
After a few years as an associate, a dentist could be earning a comfortable £60,000 to £90,000. A principal dentist could be earning a six-figure income. In contrast, a doctor’s pay increases to around £58,398 as an ST6-8, with on-call on top. It’s not until consultancy that a doctor’s basic income will approach the £99,000 mark.
If you are advising a young person still deciding on a career path, dentistry might be ahead at this point in terms of quality of life and earnings acceleration. Dentists tend to earn higher salaries earlier in their careers and have more opportunities to enjoy their earnings due to more sociable working hours.
Health Considerations
Traditionally, dentists have a higher rate of claims for back issues and poor mental health. However, doctors are rapidly joining dentists in these types and levels of claims.
Career Sundown
At this stage, doctors’ and dentists’ incomes are likely to be similar. Doctors may earn National Clinical Impact Awards and/or have a private practice, offering more scope to increase their earnings.
The Winner
There isn’t an obvious ‘career winner,’ but there is possibly a ‘retirement winner.’ Dentists may have built up a practice, which will form part of their retirement planning and means they’re able to sell goodwill. Similarly, GPs might create a practice with goodwill to sell at retirement. However, hospital doctors won’t have this factor in their retirement planning.
The Retirement Winner: Doctor or Dentist?
It could be argued that one profession might earn more than the other in retirement. Established professionals will likely have membership in multiple sections of the NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS). Following the McCloud Remedy, the service switch to the new 2015 section of NHSPS is now 2022 instead of 2015.
Since the 2015 scheme calculates your final pension using Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE), dentists who remain in the NHS could end up with a higher pension income than doctors due to their higher early NHS earnings. However, many dentists become fully private later in their careers, which may make this a moot point for some. For hospital doctors, only your base income is superannuated for pension purposes, not your on-call income, which affects the calculation of retirement benefits.
Conclusion
Who earns more in their career, a doctor or a dentist can be argued either way. What is clear is that both careers will continue to evolve at a sometimes-terrifying rate, with plenty of stress along the way. Regardless of the career you choose, you’ll feel you have earned every penny—plus a few grey hairs along the way!
Remember, this is not specific career advice. The figures quoted are based on experience, not on precise analytical study. Earnings in both professions can run into the millions, so whichever path you choose, don’t forget your income protection. Ensure you keep your hard-earned money safe and your bills paid, even if you can’t work due to illness or injury!
All earnings figures used are based on Pay and Conditions Circular (MD) 1-2022.pdf (nhsemployers.org) and the experience of clients.
For tailored advice, always consult with a specialist regarding your finances.
If you had your time again, would you choose the same career again? Let us know by adding a comment below.
As a woman married to a Consultant Gynaecologist,Dentistry has been a perfect career for me. Regular hours and part time opportunities allowed me to work, manage childcare etc as my husband was extremely busy as a junior doctor. I now teach dental students and given my time again I would go exactly the same. Our daughter is a paediatric dental specialist and chose dentistry rather than medicine for it’s flexible working.
Hi , looking at the prospective salary for the post 1Yr practising . Your figures probably reflect doing quite allot of private work .
NHS dentistry , especially , with the current curent pay scheme is very hard and it’s about time the GDC and the govenment came up with a decent review .
The course of dentistry . cocoons, you from the real world and the never ending learning curve when you finally get into the real world is quite a shock .
This will be very very similar to medics coming out of University .
Conclusion .. If you WANT to be a Doctor .. / … or a Dentist .. Look at the real world , both are a ‘Vocation’ .. moreso with medicine where the diversity you can do where you heart tells you where to go