There are many reasons to become a dentist. This is a rewarding career with many challenges and rewards. It also offers the opportunity to help people make their communities better.
The demand for dentists is increasing due to population growth, changes in the law governing health care, and the retirement of many dentists who were trained during the 1960s and 70s. Practicing dentist-to-population ratios vary widely, but range from roughly 42 to 108 dentists per 100,000 people, according to the American Dental Association.
Because they can…
Transform the lives of their patients by restoring their oral health.
The dentist can transform a patient’s lives by providing preventative care, performing dental restorative procedures or addressing pain.
You should be independent in your career.
After graduation, dentists can start their own business. This allows them to be independent and helps them set their career and business goals.
You can earn a great salary.
According to the 2018 Survey of Dental Practice by the ADA Health Policy Institute, the average income of an independent general practitioner who owned all of their practice was $190,000. For dental specialists, it was $330,180. The type of practice and income will determine how different incomes are.
There are many career options.
Although 80% of dental school graduates are in private practice, there are many dental recruitment opportunities for research, clinical, and academic learning.
Flexibility is key.
Dentists have many career options and can choose the lifestyle and hours they want to lead.
You can shape the future of oral healthcare.
The dentist can contribute to the future direction for oral health care, beyond clinical practice. They can also engage in research and education about dental care. By becoming faculty members of dental education, dental educators can influence the curriculum for dental school and the professional role that the dentist plays. The dentist is a dental researcher. He or she uses the most modern techniques and scientific findings and seeks out solutions to various oral health problems.
Respect others in their communities.
The communities that they serve are proud of dentists because of their contribution to the health of the population and their desire to improve the lives around them.
Use creativity in your daily work.
Dentistry is often called an art. Dentistry requires a level of skill and knowledge that is unique to the profession. While dentistry is mostly about maintaining good oral health, it is also a highly aesthetic practice. Dentistry is primarily about restoring and beautifying smiles so that patients can show off their beautiful smiles to the world.
As a part of a group.
The dentist is often seen as a “lone practitioner,” but dentistry is actually a team-oriented field. The dentist is a key member of a team that works together to restore and maintain oral health.
Give benevolent care in their communities.
The dentist can provide dental care for those who are severely in need of it, and has an income that is well above the national average.
