Armed Forces
One of the career options open to you is to become a member of the Armed forces. The Army, Navy and RAF all accept dental students and qualified dentists onto their schemes.
As an undergraduate student, you can become a cadet in any of the services, which will provide you with pay whilst you study and also a job once you qualify. The pay will differ slightly depending on which force you are with. But as a rough guide, here are the rates of pay during your last three undergrad years if you joined the Navy.
- 1st year £14,301
- 2nd year £16,087
- 3rd year £17,881
Once you qualify, you can complete your VT/DFT with the forces and then continue to work with them afterwards. When you sign up, there is usually a minimum contract period. For example as a cadet for the Army you would be required to work for a minimum of 7 years, which would include your time at Dental School.
The job usually involves a large proportion of the time working in the UK with the occasional posting overseas. (Possibly to areas including Afghanistan or Iraq)
Pay after training varies between the forces, but is generally higher than elsewhere. For example, the RAF starting salary after completion of training is currently advertised at £54,500.
For more information go to the Army, Navy or RAF websites.
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/jobs/pages/JobDetail.aspx?armyjobid=AOF004&category=6
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/explore-jobs/all-jobs/dental-officer/whats-the-job/