Useful Guidance for Graduate Dentists

For graduates transitioning from university life to foundation training, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into account. When looking for a vocational dental practitioner (VDP) position, for instance, a graduate must consider how the job that they take will impact their future and the options that will be available to them. As such, each job offer should be carefully considered. After all, there are a number of pathways to go down in dentistry, there's no point accepting a position if it will hinder later career goals.

As for finding the role – for someone new to the profession, it can pay to utilise the services of a recruitment firm like careers4dentists, as it affords a graduate the opportunity to discover the range of VDP vacancies available throughout the UK.

The other aspect that needs to be given thought to when beginning a career in dentistry is student loan repayments. As it currently stands, maintenance loans vary from £7,097 to £11,002 depending on whether students live at home, in student accommodation or are due to spend a year studying abroad. The repayment of the loan is repaid through the tax system and is only initiated when the graduate is earning above a certain amount.

For English and Welsh students who started their course before 1 September 2012, that amount is currently £17,495, and is £21,000 for those that started on or after that date. As for the amount of interest that will be added on to the loan repayments, there are also two different rates that can be applied depending on whether it was before or after 1 September 2012 the loan was taken out. If it was before, the interest rate is 1.25 per cent. If it was after, however, the rate varies depending on the circumstances – something to consider when working out take-home pay.

The other important aspect that graduates should be aware of is income protection insurance, which can be taken out to cover income loss in the event of sickness or injury. Typically, the pay out received if a claim is made is equivalent to 50-65 per cent of a person's usual income, and can be paid until the termination of the policy.

There are a number of policies available to graduates, with 'own occupation' cover thought to be the most beneficial, as pay-outs are based on not being able to perform duties as a dentist. There are plans out there that will only pay a benefit if the policyholder is so sick or disabled that they cannot work at all, so it is always wise to seek advice from a specialist Financial Adviser such as those at money4dentists.

Starting foundation training is hard enough at the best times, so if you are about to become a vocational dental practitioner, why not increase your chances of success with help from specialist advisers. To find out more contact the 4dentists group.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754 DENTIST. Email info@4dentistsgroup.com or visit www.4dentistsgroup.com