There are 13 recognised specialities, and each has a structured training pathway overseen by the GDC.
To enter a formal specialty programme you usually need full GDC registration and experience beyond your foundation training. Most dentists complete Dental Core Training or equivalent secondary care experience before applying.
Once accepted, training typically lasts 3–5 years full-time, depending on the specialty. At the end of training you may be required to complete an exit assessment to gain the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and then apply for the specialist list.
For example, orthodontic or periodontology training takes around three years of dedicated postgraduate clinical education.
Types of specialisms in dentistry include*:
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Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology
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Dental Public Health
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Endodontics
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Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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Oral Medicine
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Oral Microbiology
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Oral Surgery
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Orthodontics
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Paediatric Dentistry
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Periodontics
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Prosthodontics
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Restorative Dentistry
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Special Care Dentistry
*as recognised by the GDC
Why dentists choose to specialise
There are a few clear motivations for dentists to pursue specialist registration. Firstly, from a clinical standpoint, specialisation means advanced skills and deeper expertise in a narrower field, allowing practitioners to manage complex cases and often to teach or work in hospital-based roles.
From a financial perspective, specialists in the UK generally have higher earning potential than a typical general dentist.
Basic figures suggest that while general dental practitioners (GDPs) might earn somewhere in the range of £50,000–£90,000 a year, specialists such as orthodontists or periodontists often command higher pay brackets, frequently £70,000–£100,000+, particularly in private practice.
For NHS consultant roles in specialist fields the basic salaries can extend up to around £120,000 in hospital posts.
Specialist skills can lead to a broader range of services you can offer, and in private practice that often translates to higher fees and less reliance on NHS contract rates. Many dentists with specialist skills also find they receive referrals from other clinicians, which can help sustain a busy and financially robust practice.
Should you bolt specialisms onto general dentistry?
Adding specialist services to an existing general dentistry practice can make sense in several ways. It allows you to diversify the treatment portfolio under one roof, attracting patients who want advanced treatments and keeping referrals and income in-house, like Linda Greenwall, a well-known London specialist in tooth staining, that also offers periodontics, orthodontics and general dental treatment.
It also helps you retain patients through a full continuum of care without referring out. In the private market this can be very profitable, depending on your patient base.
However, there are challenges. Specialist training takes years and may require you to significantly reduce clinical time or even step away from your existing practice to complete full-time hospital-based training.
There can be financial trade-offs during the training phase, as you might earn less while studying and lose income from your existing practice. Many specialists break even on their investment in extra training only after several years of specialist practice.
Or become a specialist-only practice
Setting up or converting to a specialist practice can position you as a destination for specific high-value treatments. In areas with demand, this can allow you to charge premium fees, focus entirely on complex cases and work with a team tailored to advanced care.
A specialist-only model can be very successful, but it also carries risks. It generally involves greater business complexity, higher marketing demands and often a need to educate potential patients about why specialist care is worth paying for.
Location plays a big part: offering specialist services in an area where patients can afford private care, or where there is unmet demand, will be more profitable.
Balancing general practice and specialist work
Many dentists find a middle way, developing specialist competence in a chosen field while continuing to offer other general dental treatments. This approach gives flexibility, helps maintain a steady income and broadens your skill set. It also keeps clinics dynamic and attractive to a wider range of patients.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal career goals, financial situation and interest in specialist fields. Specialising can offer higher earning potential and deeper expertise, but it comes with years of training and potential income disruption. Adding specialist services to a general practice can boost revenue and patient care, but it also needs careful planning and a supportive patient base.
