Dentist Career

A career in the health and science field can be very rewarding, not only in terms of monetary gains but also because it gives a medical professional various opportunities to help others and make a difference in their lives. Among the most coveted professions in this field is dentistry. This article aims to provide helpful insights about a dentistry career, to serve as a guide to readers who wish to enter this profession.

What is a Dentist?

A dentist is an accredited professional in the field of medicine. He or she specializes in the care of people’s teeth, gums, and mouth. Dentists are the ones who diagnose possible problems with the teeth and other areas in the mouth, and provide the appropriate treatment. There are also dentists who are capable of performing corrective surgery and cosmetic dental surgery.

Dentist Job Duties:

A dentist career entails certain responsibilities that only a licensed and qualified dentist can do. Among the duties of a dentist are filling cavities, fixing the teeth, adding sealants, and when needed, performing surgery to treat diseases involving the teeth and gums. Dentists also prescribe medications to teeth bacterial problems and other causes of toothaches. Moreover, a dentist teaches patients the proper ways to care for the teeth in order to avoid dental problems.

Dentist Skills:

A dentist learns all the necessary skills through schooling, training, and practice. To be effective, a dentist should be willing to learn and understand scientific and medical knowledge. He or she should have good manual dexterity because dentists work with their hands. This medical professional should also have excellent people skills because one of the main responsibilities of a dentist is to be able to give advice to patients regarding proper dental care.

Dentist Education:

To get started with a dentist career, a person should have a minimum of 2 years of pre-dental college education and then be enrolled in a dental school. Studying in any of the accredited dental schools in the United States will take 4 academic years. Once a student completes all the requirements of the school, he or she will be awarded either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. Passing the licensure examination is also a prerequisite to be able to practice dentistry.

Dentist Salary:

A dentist is paid handsomely. As of May 2008, the median annual salary of general dentists was $142,870. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, on the other hand, are paid even higher, with a mean annual salary of $210,710. Dentists who specialize in orthodontics have a mean annual salary of $206,190, while those specializing in prosthodontics have a mean annual wage of $125,400. Hourly wages also vary from state to state, with New Hampshire as the highest paying state at $117.79 per hour, mean average.

Dentist Job Outlook

Employment of dentists has a very promising future. Younger dentists will take the place of those who are already in their retirement age. Moreover, as more businesses grow, there will be more patients who will need consultation and treatment from their dentists since they have dental insurance. Employment is projected to grow up to 16% until 2018, which is good news to all dentists as well as those who want to be one.

While the road to getting a license to practice dentistry can be long and difficult, it also promises fulfillment, both financially and professionally. Anyone who is determined enough to become a dentist can succeed at it, if armed with the right skills and attributes.