What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Dentist?
Thinking about dentistry as an adult and wondering whether your maths and science are up to it? You are not alone. The qualifications for dentist training lean heavily on science, and numbers crop up more than you might expect, from GCSE grades to the UCAT admissions test. At QTS Maths Tutor, we know how daunting the maths side of a big career change can feel, so we have pulled together straightforward answers to the questions that matter most, and we recommend checking each requirement with the universities you are interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What maths grade do I need at GCSE to study dentistry?
For GCSE Maths, Pass Learn’s guide gives grade 6 as the minimum, with grade 7 preferred. The same goes for English Language, so both deserve your attention if your grades from school were lower.
On top of that, most dental schools want six or more strong GCSEs overall, often at grade 7 or above, though it does vary by university. You can see the full picture in this rundown of entry requirements for dentistry, from GCSEs right through to registration.
Do I need separate sciences, or is Combined Science fine?
Either can work. If you took Biology and Chemistry as separate GCSEs, dental schools usually look for a grade 7 (A) or above in each. If you took Combined Science, the usual expectation is at least a 7-7.
Some guidance simply asks for at least one science, so requirements genuinely differ. To compare subjects side by side, have a look at this guide to GCSE subjects needed for dentists.
Is A Level Maths essential for dentistry?
Not usually. Chemistry is the must-have A Level, and Biology is usually expected alongside it. Maths or Physics is often the preferred third subject, and some schools particularly like Maths, so it can strengthen your application without being compulsory everywhere.
A handy place to check combinations is the guide answering what A Levels do you need to be a dentist, which also covers what happens if you do not have A Levels.
What grades should I be aiming for in my science A Levels?
Aim high. Offers are typically AAA, with some dental schools asking for A*AA, and offers below AAA are described as very rare. Universities treat A Levels as their main measure of your science understanding and problem solving.
Adults can study A Levels too. If you need to pick up Chemistry, Biology or Maths, you could look at Pass Learn’s online courses, which can be paired with private exam bookings at local centres.
What is the UCAT, and when do I take it?
The UCAT is the University Clinical Aptitude Test. It is computer-based, and you sit it in the summer before you submit your UCAS application. Most UK dental schools ask for it, so it is worth building it into your timeline early.
Because the test comes before you apply, you will be preparing for it while still working on your grades. If you are juggling work or family, it helps to plan your preparation time around that summer sitting well in advance.
Which parts of the UCAT involve maths?
Pass Learn lists four areas: verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement. Quantitative reasoning is the section most closely tied to numbers.
The National Careers Service describes the test slightly differently, saying it assesses critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and decision making. Either way, being comfortable with numbers and data is clearly useful.
How do dental schools use UCAT scores?
It depends on the school. Some set a cut-off score, some rank candidates by their results, and others weigh the UCAT as one factor among several. It is worth finding out how each of your chosen schools uses it before you decide where to apply.
This is one more reason to look up each school’s entry requirements individually on UCAS, rather than assuming they all work the same way.
Is there a different admissions test if I already have a degree?
Possibly. If you have a related science degree, often at 2:1 or above, a four-year graduate-entry course may be open to you. Some of these programmes use the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) instead of, or alongside, the UCAT, and this varies by school.
Strong A Level grades are still expected for graduate entry, and the course leads to the same BDS or BChD qualification as the standard five-year route.
Do dentists actually use maths and problem solving in the job?
Yes, in their own way. The National Careers Service lists skills such as logical reasoning and judgement, complex problem solving, thoroughness and attention to detail, and computer skills, alongside knowledge of medicine, dentistry and biology.
Its dentist careers information also covers the day-to-day work, including X-rays and scans, planning treatment with patients, and fitting crowns and fillings.
How can adults fund a dentistry degree?
GOV.UK explains that a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan may be available, and that repayments depend on what you earn rather than what you owe. You only start repaying once you have left the course and are earning over a threshold.
Rules change for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, so it is well worth reading up on student finance for undergraduates before you plan your start date.
Maths and science run right through the route into dentistry, from your GCSE grades to the quantitative reasoning in the UCAT. If any of these feel like a gap, tackle them one at a time, check what each dental school asks for, and give yourself plenty of time before you apply. Remember that after the degree comes at least a year of supervised foundation training and registration with the General Dental Council.
QTS Maths Tutor Team
We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.
