Dentists are an indispensable part of the medical field, ensuring patients receive proper and professional oral health care. With dental procedures being a crucial part of our entire lifespan, these professionals must be well-versed in caring for both pediatric and senior patients visiting for myriad reasons. As of 2015, the American Dental Association reported nearly 196,000 dentists were practicing throughout the country, with projections showing more than 26,000 roles will be added in the coming years. Individuals who are prepared to complete an extensive education and learn the tools and technologies of the trade should enjoy fulfilling, busy careers. Learn the steps to becoming a licensed dentist and what a dentist career entails.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Tasked with delivering safe and effective dental care to patients, dentists are specialized professionals who diagnose and provide treatments for a variety of oral health issues. These professionals are required to complete a supplementary four years of training in addition to undergraduate coursework, making them highly qualified for the role. They may work in general dentistry or concentrate their knowledge and skills in areas of orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics or endodontics. Whether opening their own practice or working with a team of dentistry professionals, dentists also frequently oversee the work of others in the office, including dental hygienists and assistants.
Dentist Salaries
When choosing the right career, it is important to understand what you can expect to make when you enter the profession. Those who choose to become dentists often do so not only because they want to help people, but because it is a career with a reputation for high salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists made a median annual wage of $152,700 in 2015. The top 10 percent of dentists made greater than $187,200 per year. Those who choose to specialize might make even more.
The map below shows details of the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile earners for each state.
Steps to Becoming a Dentist
Students should be vigilant about their grades and study habits even at this level, as GPAs play a profound role in dental school admissions.
Scored out of a possible 30 points, the current average score is 19. To be truly competitive, though, students should aim for a higher mark. The ADA reports that enrollment for 2014-2015 reached its highest level in the history of dental school, beating out the peak levels of entrants seen in the 1980-81 academic year. In reviewing admission cycle statistics, the competitive nature of the process becomes clearer when considering these admission numbers reported by some of the following top schools:
- University of California San Francisco: 1,935 applicants, 118 admission offers
- Tufts University: 4,635 applicants, 182 enrollees
- Indiana University: 1,508 applicants, 106 matriculated
Besides regular coursework and clinical rotations covered in the standard four-year program, the American Dental Association currently recognizes nine different specialty areas students can choose to focus their learning. These include:
- Dental Public Health
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Periodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Prosthodontics
The National Board Dental Examinations are administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examination and covers topics ranging from biomedical sciences, dental anatomy, and ethics to clinical dental subjects and patient management.
Clinical examinations are overseen by individual state's boards of dentistry and use a regional testing center to manage the exam process.
Preparing for a Dentist Career:
Dental Schools & Programs
Pre-dental School Programs & Degrees
While dental programs don't start in earnest until the graduate level, there are numerous academic paths a dentist-in-training can take to prepare for future studies. Some of the most common are highlighted in this section.
Pre-dental
This interdisciplinary undergraduate program equips students for advanced dental coursework by combining a variety of educational requirements they'll need to meet for admission to advanced programs, including general and organic chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, speech, communications and English.
Biological Sciences
Students who undertake biology degrees receive extensive exposure to laboratory training, preparing them well for future work in a dental program. Students cover a variety of helpful topics throughout the four-year degree, ranging from genetics and cell biology to social behavior and philosophy of human nature.
Physiological Sciences
Physiological sciences incorporates concepts pulled from areas of anatomy, pathology, physiology and neurobiology to inform students on how organisms behave. This major is well-suited to students aspiring to dentistry as it provides an elemental framework for advanced topics they'll encounter later on. Common courses include biostatistics, psychology, experimental physiology and microanatomy.
Dental School Admission Requirements
Admission to an academic program for dentistry is a demanding process. Most programs are small, and admission is competitive. In order to rise above other hopefuls, prospective students must show how their blend of skills, academic achievements and prior learning prepares them for the rigors of dentistry school. Components of this process include:
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Prerequisite Courses
The majority of programs require at least 90 credits be completed at the time of application, or in some cases a full baccalaureate degree. These credits must include studies in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, physiology, math and English composition. -
Undergraduate Record
Aside from showing the above courses have been completed, the grades achieved in each also matter. Most programs require a GPA minimum of 3.2, but students should aim for higher grades to be truly competitive. -
Test Scores
Like the GRE or GMAT, applicants to advanced dentistry programs must pass the American Dental Association's Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The examination is comprised of eight different scores: six of these cover areas of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning.The other two scores are based on total science and academic average. The examination is scored between 0 and 30 points, with the scores of those accepted to programs in 2012 averaging 19.9.
Dental School Courses & Requirements
Upon passing the application stage, admitted students are accepted to either a doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine program. These terminal doctorates both qualify a graduate for licensures, and the content in each is the same. The name differences are more a matter of semantics rather than differing curriculum.
Students dedicated to full-time study are typically able to complete their program in four years, during which time they sit in on lectures and seminars while gaining hands-on training in clinical rotations and laboratory sessions. The first two years of study are foundational in nature and expose students to an array of topics that inform the field. The final two years, conversely, heavily involve clinically-based courses; didactic learning continues alongside.
Some of the courses most commonly found at dental school include:
Microbiology & Oral Health Promotion
Teaches students how to effectively communicate with and provide culturally competent care to a spectrum of patients. In addition to lectures covering dental public health and health communication, students dig into demographic topics such as special needs and medically compromised patients.
Skills Gained
-
Providing care to a range of patients -
Being socially and culturally aware of individual needs -
Learning how to address dental public health
Dental Development and Anatomy
Introduces students to common frameworks used within the dental profession, including numbering and classification systems. This course provides a mix of lectures and laboratory time and underpins theoretical knowledge with real-world application. It is typically taken in the first year of study.
Skills Gained
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Understanding traits of different teeth within the classification system -
Developing an awareness of primary vs. permanent dentition -
Recognizing the differences of maxillary vs. mandibular arches
Oral Health and Nutrition
Provides an understanding of how nutrition affects tooth and gum health while teaching dentists-in-training how to employ behavioral management techniques with their patients. Many case studies are used to help students develop their skills in working with varied populations and demographics.
Skills Gained
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Overcoming barriers to care with different types of patients -
Teaching patients how to properly care for their teeth and gums -
Delivering the best oral health care to patients regardless of their circumstances
Anesthesia and Pain Management
Incorporates both classroom instruction and clinical rotations to provide future dentists with a thorough understanding of how to manage dental pain associated with procedures. Many courses allow students to observe licensed dentists administering anesthesia and offer the first opportunity for students to administer local anesthesia.
Skills Gained
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Understanding how anesthesia blocks nerve impulses -
Learning how to safely administer anesthesia -
Identifying the correct amount of anesthesia to use for different types of patients and procedures
Oral Surgery
Offered as a bundle class incorporating both lectures and clinical rotations on oral and maxillofacial surgeries, this block exposes students to the foundational skills behind more complicated procedures. These classes also provide students with their first opportunity to perform exodontia and pre-prosthetic procedures under the watchful eyes of professors. This course is typically taken in the third year.
Skills Gained
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Awareness of implant selection and surgery -
Understanding how post-surgical care is implemented -
Ability to diagnose and treat conditions requiring oral and maxillofacial surgeries
Dentist Career Concentrations
The American Dental Association reported that one in five active dentists worked in a practice, research or administration area that is recognized as a specialty by the ADA in 2015. Dentists can specialize in a variety of different areas of the field, ranging from pediatric and periodontal to oral surgery and orthodontics. Many dental programs offer different concentrations for students who have a fine-tuned idea of the type of oral health care they wish to provide. Whether planning to work in general dentistry or a focused area, the following examples of options will help narrow down your top choices.
General Dentists
Median salary: $152,700These professionals serve as the backbone of the dentistry profession and the first port of call for any oral health issues. A general dentist's day-to-day work involves examining patients and diagnosing or treating problems surrounding teeth and gums. Common procedures they perform include repairing cavities, fitting caps and treating diseases related to nerve or pulp issues. This career concentration is perfect for the future dentist who may feel limited by performing similar tasks each and every day.
Orthodontists
Median salary: $187,200Orthodontists are tasked with correcting misaligned teeth and jaws for their patients. These issues can affect a wide range of daily activities in their patients' lives and lead to problems with chewing, speech and articulation, and appearance. These professionals may correct anteroposterior deviations – also known as underbites and overbites – or realign teeth that have been overcrowded by lack of jawbone space. Whether fitting braces or realigning jaws, lips, and teeth to correct malocclusions, these professionals must be well versed in the nuances of orthodontic care.
Prosthodontists
Median salary 2015: $119,740 (BLS)Unlike orthodontists who work with existing jawbones and teeth to correct structural issues, prosthodontists specialize in the use of prosthetics to replace missing teeth or correct deformities. Some of the procedures done by prosthodontists include dental implants, dentures, crowns, bridges and temporomandibular corrections. Aside from issues requiring surgery, these dental professionals may also be called upon to handle cosmetic procedures. In addition to dental school, prosthodontists must also complete three years of advanced training in a graduate-level prosthodontic program.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Median salary 2015: $187,200 (BLS)Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are most commonly associated with the extraction of wisdom teeth, but these medical professionals are also responsible for performing many other advanced dental procedures. In addition to removing impacted or compromised teeth, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are tasked with ensuring the health of other components of the mouth. This may include regenerating deficient bones; treating infections in salivary glands, jawbones, and the neck; diagnosing and developing treatment plans for ulcers; removing tumors and abnormal growths in the oral cavity; correcting cleft palates; and using tissues from other parts of a patient's body to perform reconstructive surgery on the face or jaw.
Endodontist
Median salary 2015: $201,208 (Payscale)With a focus on the tooth specifically, endodontists are concerned with the soft tissues and nerves living within the tooth. One of the most common procedures performed by an endodontist is the root canal, and patients are typically referred to them by their general dentist. The main goal of these professionals is to avoid extraction of a tooth if there is a way it can be saved. In addition to oral surgeries, endodontists also provide teeth whitening and bleaching services. After graduating from dental school, aspiring endodontists must complete two to three more years of training and must pass the American Board of Endodontology examination to be licensed.
Components Of A Successful Dentist Career: Skills, Credentials, Tools & Technology
Although education plays a critical role in the abilities and successes of dentists, many other components combine to form a prosperous career. The following section highlights some of the top skills and credentials top dentists hold and takes a look at common tools and technologies they use.
Skills
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Problem Solving
Dentists must be able to identify the issue affecting their patient before formulating an effective treatment plan. Because young children and older patients may not be able to withstand certain types of treatments, dentists must find the right solution to fit their needs.
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Compassion
Dental procedures can cause fear and anxiety in many patients, and the best dentist will be alert to these feelings and show compassion before, during, and after a procedure.
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Time Management
Dentists must balance their time while also ensuring each procedure is done safely and according to set protocols.
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Leadership
In addition to working with their patients, dentists are also tasked with overseeing other members of the dental office, including dental assistants, dental hygienists, and front office staff.
Tools and Technologies
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Dental matrix bands -
Dycal instruments -
Chemical sterilizers -
Composite placement instruments -
Dental bite blockers -
Dental drills and bits -
Impression trays -
Laboratory devices
Credentials
Licensure requirements are mandated at the state level and individual components vary by region; however, all states have three basic requirements:
EducationTo be eligible for licensure, students must graduate from a program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. As of 2016, there are 66 accredited programs throughout the United States.
Written ExaminationLicensing boards use the National Board Dental Examination for the written component. The exam, which consists of two parts, is overseen by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.
Clinical ExaminationAll 50 states except Delaware outsource the clinical exam component to a regional testing agency. Depending on where a licensee lives, they must contact one of these assessment boards:
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
- Council of Interstate Testing Agencies
- Southern Regional Testing Agency
- Western Regional Examining Board
Dentist Salaries & Job Growth
Dentist Job Growth
Much like other medical fields, roles for dentists are expected to expand significantly between 2014 and 2024: current projections show an 18 percent growth, or the addition 26,700 jobs. While these figures represent the country as a whole, some states may be set for greater or lesser growth. Examine each state's job outlook for dentists as well as the number of openings expected.
Related Dental Careers at a Glance
Median Salary: $72,330
Education: Associate Degree
Median Salary: $35,980
Education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median Salary: $103,900
Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Median Salary: $119,340
Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Median Salary: $90,840
Education: Doctoral degree
Median Salary: $33,950
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Dental Schools & Dentist Career Resources
American Academy of Periodontology
Dentists following this path of specialization can find many helpful member resources provided by AAP, including continuing education, publications, regular meetings, and a career-finder tool.American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
The AAOMS represents the needs and interests of oral and maxillofacial surgeons by helping enhance their practice through valuable resources, research, education, exhibitions, advocacy, and regular meetings. There is also a special section of the website for dental students.American Association of Orthodontists
Representing the interests of Orthodontists in all 50 states, AAO provides helpful tips on practice management, continuing education opportunities, an online library, legal advice, and numerous meetings and events.American Association of Women Dentists
Did you know female dentists comprise 29 percent of the current workforce? This professional body champions women dentists and advocates on their behalf. The AAWD also hosts numerous opportunities for female dentists to join together and inspire one another.American Dental Association
The ADA is the leading professional body for the industry and provides myriad services, ranging from licensure examinations and advocacy to research and events.National Dental Association
In addition to releasing regular research findings and academic publications, NDA also hosts several events throughout the country that are open to both practicing dentists and students. Be sure to visit the career page while checking out their website.
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