Each week we explain the ins and outs of a job area. Today, dentistry.

What are my options? You have several. As a dentist you can have a general practice, which does check-ups and treats everyday complaints, or you can specialise in orthodontics (teeth straightening), endodontics (root-canal treatments) or periodontics (gum-disease treatment).

A dental hygienist cleans people's teeth and advises patients on oral care and hygiene. Hygienists can work in all areas of dentistry.

A dental nurse assists dentists during check-ups and treatments, keeping records of patient care, as well as ensuring that a dentist has the correct tools to carry out procedures.

Dental technicians make the crowns, plates, bridges and false teeth that dentists need. They also repair crowns.

What sort of talents and qualities will I need? You need to be a good communicator to work in a dental surgery. Dealing with nervous patients and showing people how to take care of their teeth are parts of the job.

A dentist needs to be academically able. It's not a career suited to those with poor eyesight or motor control.

Good organisational skills are important, especially for dental nurses.

A dental technician works in a slightly different environment and must have knowledge of dentistry. It can be a job that requires problem-solving and lateral thinking in unusual cases.

What Leaving Cert subjects should I be thinking about? Two higher-level science subjects are required for entry to dentistry. Students need at least a B in one and a C in the other. Combined physics-and-chemistry and agricultural science are accepted as sciences by Trinity College in Dublin, but University College Cork will accept only physics, chemistry or biology.

An interest in science is useful in all dentistry-related jobs.

What about work experience? The Irish Dental Association suggests that students approach their local dentists about work experience.

There are often opportunities to help out in surgeries over the summer, to help provide holiday cover. Students can help dental hygienists, observe dental procedures and gain experience in the running of a busy surgery by assisting on the reception desk.

It is up to dentists to decide if they want to provide experience to students. If you aren't successful on your first request, thank the dentist for his or her time and try asking somebody else.

What courses are available? Trinity offers a bachelor's degree in dental science; UCC offers a bachelor's degree in dental surgery. Between them the courses have about 80 places a year; points were 560 and 555, with random selection in the final round, at Trinity and UCC respectively last year.

UCC also offers a diploma in dental hygiene and a certificate in dental nursing. Trinity offers two-year courses in these subjects, as well as dental technology.

Dental nursing is also available at Athlone and Carlow institutes of technology, Drogheda Institute of Further Education and Marino College, in Dublin.

For further information about courses see www.qualifax.ie. General career information and advice is available on www.careerdirections.ie and www.skoool.ie