Dentists - An Exciting Career Field On The Rise
Have you been considering a career as a dentist? Dentists are responsible for treating and diagnosing problems associated with the teeth, jaw, and mouth area, and also provide advice to patients in order to alleviate future problems. The demand for all forms of dental care is on the rise with an increasing number of new procedures being introduced continuously.
Employment in this field is accelerating at a pace that is much faster that other occupations and is projected to continue at this rate until the year 2018. Dentists are currently one of the highest paid professionals in the United States with the median annual wage of a general dentist in 2008 reaching over $142,000 and including as much as 141,990 jobs.
General Dentists usually perform routine checkups and see patients at least twice a year. They provide services such as tooth extractions,
general cleanings, bridge work, dentures, and crowns. There are also specialized fields of dentistry available to those who need services not performed by a general dentist. A person can earn a degree in a specialized field of dentistry and stay up to date with new procedures and advanced technology while having the added benefit of a greater earning potential.
A form of specialized dentistry called pediatric dentistry focuses on treating patients who are under the age of 18 and typically requires at least two years of specialized training. Through this field of dentistry, parents and guardians have learned the importance of instilling the practice of good oral hygiene to their children at an early age. Individuals who have diminished mental capacity or mental illness may also receive services with a pediatric dentist in order to care for their teeth.
If you enjoy a challenge and like to be a part of a type of dentistry that has skyrocketed in recent years by helping people look and feel better, then cosmetic dentistry might be the right fit for you. With individuals wanting to improve the aesthetic appearance of their teeth through procedures such as dental implants, teeth whitening, bonding, shaping, veneers and more, this area of dentistry is in high demand. Many have sought the services of specialists known as Orthodontists who provide services to patients needing their teeth properly aligned. Orthodontists complete specialty training of at least two years and work on both young and old patients applying braces and other devices to the teeth in order to improve the functionality and the physical appearance of teeth. Other types of specialized Dentists include:
Endodontist-Specializes in root canals
Periodontist-Specializes in periodontal gums diseases of the mouth such as gingivitis
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon-Specializes in the mouth and jaw area and the in-depth removal of teeth
Prosthodontist-Bridge and Crown specialists who focus on fixing or replacing teeth
There is also room to advance in the field of dentistry with opportunities to teach or practice full time research when you take advanced dental training for an additional 2-5 years. There are also those who have private practices who also teach part time in dental school clinics. If you are a new graduate from a dental school, a great way to gain experience is by working under the supervision of well established Dentists for 1-2 years. You can also choose to buy a new practice of your own immediately following graduation or purchase an already established one.
