Dental Careers

Are you looking for a career in Dental Care but don't really know yet what jobs are out there or where to start looking? Although the path may be (or seem like) a long one, a career in dental health care can be both rewarding and challenging. The good news is that if you are successful in attaining a career in this field, you will be one of the highest paid professionals in the world and will have earned yourself a respectable title.

There are many different areas in the dental care field besides being a dentist or dental hygienist. You could become a dental assistant, lab manager, dental care researcher, or a cosmetic dental consultant. Another field of interest may be orthodontics, which has become a wide open and very popular career choice. Many people feel there are very few opportunities in the dental care field and are surprised by the options that are available.

Whether you want to become a dentist, a hygienist, or a consultant, many start off as dental assistants. Dental assistants work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. Their job includes anything from patient care to office and laboratory duties. If you have ever visited the dentist (as I am sure you have), then you are familiar with why a dental assistant's job is important and helpful in the dental care industry. They become the extra hands a dentist wishes he/she had. Not only are they responsible for preparing and sterilizing instruments but they also make sure a patient is comfortable during procedures, take x-rays, and explain general or postoperative oral health care.

Dental hygiene is another field in dental care. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who specialize in preventive dental care focusing primarily on oral hygiene. Most hygienists work for a dentist in private offices, but some work in schools, hospitals, correctional institutions, and even nursing homes. Their job description includes performing oral health care assessments by reviewing patients' health history, screening for oral cancer, and doing an evaluation for gum disease.

A licensed dentist works with an individual's teeth and mouth tissue. Treating and providing care by filling cavities, examining x-rays, removing tooth decay and even straightening teeth are just some of the many jobs of dentists. They provide advice on proper tooth care and instruction on how to brush and floss. Dentists are also the first to diagnose diseases such as cancer and hypertension. In order for a dentist to begin his/her own practice, they must first have 2-3 years experience assisting senior dentists.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry concerning the study and treatment of tooth irregularity and disproportionate jaw relationships causing improper bites. Orthodontic treatment can be done for aesthetic reasons to improve the general appearance of patients' teeth or for more practical reasons such as the straightening of teeth using braces.

To begin any of these fascinating careers, first, you need one thing, an education. This can take anywhere from one to six years to complete depending on which field you decide to enter into. Dental assistant programs take about 1 year to complete in which you earn a certificate or diploma. Dentistry, dental hygiene, and orthodontics take quite a bit more schooling to complete. First, a bachelor's degree is needed before applying to dental school. Very few dental schools accept applicants with a two year degree. You will need to take classes in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A background in social sciences and humanities is strongly recommended also. Such classes include: political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, literature, history, philosophy, and aesthetics. Other courses vary by school but may include biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology.

I hope you consider a career in dental health care, but be prepared for some hard work because dentistry is not accomplished easily. Keep in mind that an awarding career takes hard work and the harder you work to achieve your goals, the better you feel when you actually achieve them!