There are several careers in dentistry which offer an abundance of satisfaction. While each career area is unique, as a team, each provides excellence when it comes to administering the oral health care needs to a general public population.
As an adult, choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The information provided below will help you explore a possible career in dentistry. If you are an international student, get information on studying in the US or Canada here.
Most dentists practicing today made their career decision in late high school or early college. But, it is never too soon or too late to begin thinking seriously about a career in dentistry. Let's begin by learning what dentistry is and what career opportunities it offers.
Dentistry is a rapidly changing and expanding profession, which involves disease detection, diagnosis, esthetics, surgical restoration and education.
Disease Detection: Dental providers are often the first health care professionals to recognize and identify a wide variety of diseases, which can range from hypertension to cancer.
Diagnosis: A dentist is primarily responsible for diagnosing and treatment problems affecting the teeth, tissue, tongue, lips and jaws. To assist them in their efforts, most dental providers utilize computers and magnetic resonance imaging.
Esthetics: Dentists help to improve a patient’s appearance using a variety of cosmetic dental procedures.
Surgical Restoration: In order to repair, restore and maintain the teeth, gums and tissues that have been lost or damaged by accidents or diseases, dentists perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery procedures.
Public Education and Prevention: Dentists and Dental Hygienists educate their patients, as well as the general public, on the ways in which to achieve oral health and prevent disease.
Dental Careers and Minorities
A career in dentistry allows you to treat people, not just teeth and mouths. You constantly interact with people from all ages, cultures and backgrounds. And because there is a strong need for minorities, it offers both women and minorities exceptional career opportunities. Many believe that dental care may be more readily accepted if the dentist can relate to the patient through language and culture.
While there are large number of administrators and support staff who have careers in dentistry, the primary careers are composed of the four areas listed below. Summary info for each can be accessed using its associated link. You will find that each career in dentistry has its own educational requirements, some require certification, some require a license, and some careers in dentistry require both.
Careers in dentistry offer a range of dentistry opportunities and experiences which includes: gratification and prestige of working in the health care field, job security, flexibility and personal satisfaction from helping other individuals. Overall, a career in dentistry offers you many avenues of oral health to explore, and if you work well with people and enjoy helping others, you can gain lifelong satisfaction. Mind you, the many people who choose a career in dentistry face a considerable challenges. The demands before, during and after dental school are many, but the rewards are great.
One major concern of individuals pursuing a dental career is the cost. The average debt of a new dental graduate is about six months the average net income of dentists in the US. But, while a dental education can be expensive, it is within the reach of people from all economic backgrounds.
Financial assistance in the form of student loans are readily available from a variety of sources. One excellent source is a package of federal and private loans developed especially for dental students by the American Association of Dental Schools (AADS) and the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). Further information regarding this loan program may be obtained by calling, toll-free, 1-800-225-6783. Financial aid officers at each of the dental schools can also help you with loan program information.
AADS and ASDA Organizations
The American Association of Dental Schools (AADS) publishes a guide for students interested in a career in dentistry. Entitled, Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools, it and may be obtained by writing or calling:
American Association of Dental Schools 1625 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-2212 202-667-9433 FAX: 202-667-0642
The American Student Dental Association publishes the ASDA Handbook, which contains information on requirements for application and admission to dental schools in the US. They also offer a predental membership to individuals interested careers in dentistry. For more details, write or call:
American Student Dental Association 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1160 Chicago, Illinois 60611-2616 312-440-2795 FAX: 312-440-2820
You can also contact the dental school nearest you or the local dental society component of the American Dental Association for more information on a career in dentistry.
After you have reviewed the different dental careers and decide that a career is dentistry is what you want, begin the necessary planning. If you are an international student who wants to study dentistry in the US, get information here. US students can begin the process by doing the following:
Contact the admissions offers of the dental schools you are interested in and request information about their program requirements.
If you are in high school, enroll in such college prep classes as chemistry, biology and algebra. The goal is to get as broad of an exposure to the math and sciences as possible. A well-rounded liberal arts education is always a desirable trait for a lot of dental school programs.
Speak with school counselors and advisers about careers in dentistry and the health profession field.
Speak with your family dentist. Offer to spend a day or two in their office in order to observe.
Review the various resources for funding your dental school education. Get information on school grants, dental scholarships, educational loans and student low interest credit card resources. Another resource that I would personally recommend as a way to pay for college (or for anything else), is the Site Build It system. You can read more about my own personal experience with SBI here. In addition to being used by everyone from all walks of life, SBI is also considered to be the ultimate student income opportunity resource. As a dental student, not only can you build a full-time or part-time income with the SBI! system. But it is a system that can work beyond your graduating years. Learn more.
I wish you much success with your career in dentistry. You have found what will be both a rewarding and challenging profession. Be certain to sign up for the Dental Clinic Manager E-zine for the latest news and information on Careers in Dentistry.
I wish you well with your dental needs, The Dental Clinic Manager
