Dentists usually complete at least
8 years of education beyond high school.
Employment is projected to grow about
as fast as average, and most job openings
will result from the need to replace
the large number of dentists expected
to retire.
Job prospects should be good.
Nature of the Work
Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat
problems with teeth or mouth tissue.
They remove decay, fill cavities, examine
x rays, place protective plastic sealants
on children’s teeth, straighten
teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They
also perform corrective surgery on gums
and supporting bones to treat gum diseases.
Dentists extract teeth and make models
and measurements for dentures to replace
missing teeth. They provide instruction
on diet, brushing, flossing, the use
of fluorides, and other aspects of dental
care. They also administer anesthetics
and write prescriptions for antibiotics
and other medications. Dentists use a
variety of equipment, including x-ray
machines; drills; and instruments such
as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes,
and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves,
and safety glasses to protect themselves
and their patients from infectious diseases.
Dentists in private practice oversee
a variety of administrative tasks, including
bookkeeping and buying equipment and
supplies. They may employ and supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians,
and receptionists. (These
occupations are described elsewhere in
the Handbook.)Most dentists are
general practitioners, handling a variety
of dental needs. Other dentists practice
in any of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists,
the largest group of specialists, straighten
teeth by applying pressure to the teeth
with braces or retainers. The next largest
group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons,
operates on the mouth and jaws. The remainder
may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing
on dentistry for children); periodontists (treating
gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing
missing teeth with permanent fixtures,
such as crowns and bridges, or with removable
fixtures such as dentures); endodontists (performing
root canal therapy); public health
dentists (promoting good dental health
and preventing dental diseases within
the community); oral pathologists (studying
oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial
radiologists (diagnosing diseases
in the head and neck through the use
of imaging technologies).
Working Conditions
Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week.
Some work evenings and weekends to meet
their patients’ needs. Most full-time
dentists work between 35 and 40 hours
a week, but others work more. Initially,
dentists may work more hours as they
establish their practice. Experienced
dentists often work fewer hours. Many
continue in part-time practice well beyond
the usual retirement age.Most dentists
are solo practitioners, meaning that
they own their own businesses and work
alone or with a small staff. Some dentists
have partners, and a few work for other
dentists as associate dentists.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
All 50 States and the District of Columbia
require dentists to be licensed. To qualify
for a license in most States, candidates
must graduate from 1 of the 56 dental
schools accredited by the American Dental
Association’s (ADA’s) Commission
on Dental Accreditation in 2004, and
then must pass written and practical
examinations. Candidates may fulfill
the written part of the State licensing
requirements by passing the National
Board Dental Examinations. Individual
States or regional testing agencies administer
the written or practical examinations.
Dental schools require a minimum of 2
years of college-level pre-dental education,
regardless of the major chosen. However,
most dental students have at least a
bachelor’s degree. Pre-dental education
emphasizes coursework in science, and
many applicants to dental school major
in a science such as biology or chemistry,
while other applicants major in another
subject and take many science courses
as well. A few applicants are accepted
to dental school after 2 or 3 years of
college and complete their bachelor’s
degree while attending dental school.All
dental schools require applicants to
take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
When selecting students, schools consider
scores earned on the DAT, applicants’ grade
point averages, and information gathered
through recommendations and interviews.
Competition for admission to dental school
is keen. Dental school usually lasts
4 academic years. Studies begin with
classroom instruction and laboratory
work in basic sciences, including anatomy,
microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology.
Beginning courses in clinical sciences,
including laboratory techniques, also
are provided at this time. During the
last 2 years, students treat patients,
usually in dental clinics, under the
supervision of licensed dentists. Most
dental schools award the degree of Doctor
of Dental Surgery (DDS). The rest award
an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental
Medicine (DMD).Some dental school graduates
work for established dentists as associates
for 1 to 2 years to gain experience and
save money to equip an office of their
own. Most dental school graduates, however,
purchase an established practice or open
a new one immediately after graduation.In
2004, 17 States licensed or certified
dentists who intended to practice in
a specialty area. Requirements include
2 to 4 years of postgraduate education
and, in some cases, the completion of
a special State examination. Most State
licenses permit dentists to engage in
both general and specialized practice.
Dentists who want to teach or conduct
research usually spend an additional
2 to 5 years in advanced dental training,
in programs operated by dental schools
or hospitals. According to the ADA, each
year about 12 percent of new graduates
enroll in postgraduate training programs
to prepare for a dental specialty. Dentistry
requires diagnostic ability and manual
skills. Dentists should have good visual
memory, excellent judgment regarding
space and shape, a high degree of manual
dexterity, and scientific ability. Good
business sense, self-discipline, and
good communication skills are helpful
for success in private practice. High
school and college students who want
to become dentists should take courses
in biology, chemistry, physics, health,
and mathematics.
Employment
Dentists held about 150,000 jobs in
2004. Employment was distributed among
general practitioners and specialists
as follows:
Dentists, general
128,000
Orthodontists
10,000
Oral and maxillofacial
surgeons
6,000
Prosthodontists
1,000
Dentists, all
other specialists
5,000
About one third of dentists were self-employed
and not incorporated. Almost all dentists
work in private practice. According to
ADA, 78 percent of dentists in private
practice are sole proprietors, and 14
percent belong to a partnership. A few
salaried dentists work in hospitals and
offices of physicians.
Job Outlook
Employment of dentists is projected
to grow about as fast as
average for all occupations through
2014. Although employment growth will
provide some job opportunities, most
jobs will result from the need to replace
the large number of dentists expected
to retire. Job prospects should be good
as new dentists take over established
practices or start their own. Demand
for dental care should grow substantially
through 2014. As members of the baby-boom
generation advance into middle age, a
large number will need complicated dental
work, such as bridges. In addition, elderly
people are more likely to retain their
teeth than were their predecessors, so
they will require much more care than
in the past. The younger generation will
continue to need preventive checkups
despite treatments such as fluoridation
of the water supply, which decreases
the incidence of tooth decay. However,
employment of dentists is not expected
to grow as rapidly as the demand for
dental services. As their practices expand,
dentists are likely to hire more dental
hygienists and dental assistants to handle
routine services. Dentists will increasingly
provide care and instruction aimed at
preventing the loss of teeth, rather
than simply providing treatments such
as fillings. Improvements in dental technology
also will allow dentists to offer more
effective and less painful treatment
to their patients.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of salaried dentists
were $129,920 in May 2004. Earnings vary
according to number of years in practice,
location, hours worked, and specialty.Self-employed
dentists in private practice tend to earn
more than do salaried dentists, and a relatively
large proportion of dentists is self-employed.
Like other business owners, these dentists
must provide their own health insurance,
life insurance, and retirement benefits.
For information on dentistry as a career,
a list of accredited dental schools,
and a list of State boards of dental
examiners, contact:
American Dental Association, Commission
on Dental Accreditation, 211 E. Chicago
Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Internet: http://www.ada.org/
For information on admission to dental
schools, contact:
American Dental Education Association,
1400 K St., NW., Suite 1100, Washington,
DC 20005. Internet: http://www.adea.org/
Persons interested in
practicing dentistry should obtain the
requirements for licensure from the board
of dental examiners of the State in which
they plan to work.To obtain information
on scholarships, grants, and loans, including
Federal financial aid, prospective dental
students should contact the office of student
financial aid at the schools to which
they apply.
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