Carrer Options in Dentistry
Becoming a Dental Assistant
Becoming a Dental Hygienist
Becoming a Dentist
Becoming a Certified Dental Assistant
Career Profile:
Assists the dentist with a variety of treatment procedures.
Helps with patient comfort before, during, and after treatment
Takes and processes x-rays
Prepares and sterilizes dental instruments and equipment
Employment:
Private General dental offices and dental specialists
Dental schools, private and government hospitals/clinics
State and local public health departments
Education:
College-level education is encouraged, but careers
can begin without college-level course through on-the-job-training in
a dental office or high school work study program. It takes a relatively
short period of time to become a dental assistant. Dental assistants
receive their formal education through academic programs at community
colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities or dental
schools. Graduates of these programs usually receive certificates. Although
the majority of academic dental assisting programs take nine to eleven
months to complete, some schools offer accelerated training, part-time
education programs or training via distance education.
Salary:
Median hourly earnings of dental assistants was $15.51 in 2002. With pay varying substantially from to $18.57 an hour or higher in California. Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association's 1999 Workforce Needs Assessment Survey, almost all full-time dental assistants employed by private practitioners received paid vacation. The survey also found that 9 out of 10 full- and part-time dental assistants received dental coverage.
http://www.dental-assistant-programs.us/earnings.htm
Watch an American Dental Association Sponsored Video on Dental Assisting
Online Resources:
ADA Dental Assistant Brochure - all you need to know about what is involved in a career as a dental assistant
ADA Dental Assistant Fact Sheet - Bullets on employment, education, and the job demands as well as a career outlook
Search for your local ADA approved dental assistant program - complete list of ADA approved dental assisting programs
DentalWorker.com - Dental Assistant Online Job Search
DANB Dental Assistant Resource
Career Profile:
Performs patient screening procedures
Teaches patients how to practice good oral hygiene
and about the disease process.
Counsels patients regarding nutrition and its impact on oral health.
Removes calculus and plaque from teeth
Employment:
Private, general dental offices and dental specialists
Public health agencies, hospitals and community clinics
Public schools, dental schools and dental hygiene
educational programs
Dental equipment and product sales and research
2 year AA degree or a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree
must be state accredited
High school classes in math, chemistry, biology and English are often recommended for AA degree and higher education classes for BS degree.
Salary:
The median daily earnings of dental hygienists in
2006 was $400.00. With pay varying from $325-$500 and higher in California.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent
upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association,
almost all full-time dental hygienists employed by private practitioners
received paid vacation. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time
and part-time dental hygienists received dental coverage. Dental hygienists
who work for school systems, public health agencies, the Federal Government,
or State agencies usually have substantial benefits.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
Click Here to View an American Dental Association Video on being a Dental Hygienist
Online Resources:
ADA Dental Hygienist Brochure - all you need to know about what is involved in a career as a dental hygienist
ADA Dental Hygienist Fact Sheet - Bullets on employment, education, and the job demands as well as a career outlook
Search for your local ADA approved dental hygiene program - complete list of ADA approved dental programs
DentalWorker.com - Dental Assistant Online Job Search
Career Profile:
One of the ten most trusted and ethical professions in America.
Opportunity to become ones own boss and own a dental practice.
Diagnosis and treat disease, injuries and malformations of the teeth and mouth.
Improve patient’s appearance using a variety of cosmetic dental procedures.
Perform surgical procedures such as implants, tissue grafts and extractions.
Perform research directed to improving oral health and developing new treatments.
Over 80% of dentists are general practitioners while 20% are specialists
Employment:
Private general dental offices and dental specialists.
Public health agencies, hospitals, military and community clinics.
Teaching, dental research and dental industry.
Education:
A college undergrad degree is strongly recommended as
preparation for Dental School.
Must receive your DDS from an ADA accredited Dental School.
Recommend broad exposure to science and math while in high school.
Take natural science course in college such as general biology, organic
and inorganic chemistry and physics.
Must be state accredited
Salary:
In 2005, the average earnings for a general practitioner who owns his/her practice was $158,080; the average earnings for a dental specialist was $240,500. Rates may be significantly higher in California.
Online Resources:
ADA Dentistry Brochure - all you need to know about what is involved in a career as a dentist
ADA Dentistry Fact Sheet - Bullets on employment, education, and the job demands as well as a career outlook
ADA - American Dental Association
USC School of Dentistry - Apply for undergraduate or DDS admission and learn about the regular and advanced dental programs available
Search for your local ADA approved dental program - complete list of ADA approved dental schools