In the dentistry area, there are numerous job options that entail treating and caring for illnesses and ailments that affect the teeth, mouth, and gums.Numerous dentistry professions offer rewarding chances to support individuals in maintaining their oral health and enhancing their beauty and smile. You could need to seek further education or a four-year degree, depending on the position you’re after.
In this post, we outline eight potentially interesting and fulfilling careers in dentistry as well as some reasons you might want to seek a career in this area.
Why would someone get a job in dentistry?
Becoming a dentist may be a rewarding and hard career.With the advancement of technology, the dentistry industry offers numerous opportunity to acquire new skills and procedures.
Working with patients in this sector gives you the opportunity to interact with them and make them feel more at ease in situations that could otherwise cause anxiety or discomfort. For individuals who select this career route, being able to provide information and support that help patients feel better while improving their oral health can be a fulfilling experience.
Eight positions in the dental field
For persons who appreciate helping people and giving dental care, there are a variety of dentistry field occupations that could be rewarding and interesting. The following eight dental jobs are arranged from lowest to highest prospective income:
1. A medical biller
$46,294 year is the average pay nationwide.
The principal responsibilities of a medical biller at a dental practice are to compute and retrieve payments for the services rendered by the dentist and other personnel. Updating patient data and records, creating invoices, sending bills to insurance companies, retrieving payments, looking into claims that insurance companies reject, and applying insurance proceeds to patient accounts are some of their main responsibilities. An accurate and timely billing of all treatments and procedures is another responsibility of a medical biller.
Requirements for education: This post requires a high school diploma or the General Education Development (GED) equivalent. Medical billers are required by several dental practices to have a minimum of several years of experience in this capacity.
Although expertise in medical billing is usually adequate, a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, such as a degree in business, accounting, or health care administration, may also be helpful.
2. A receptionist in medicine
$34,401 year is the average salary nationwide.
Principal responsibilities: In a dental practice, a medical receptionist typically performs clerical and administrative duties. These responsibilities include returning calls, setting up appointments, welcoming and checking in patients upon their arrival, helping them with paperwork, and keeping the dentist office, particularly the front desk, tidy. In compliance with local and federal regulations, a medical receptionist is also in charge of updating patient records, keeping patient information private, and recording treatments and procedures.Education requirements: To work as a medical receptionist, you must have a high school degree or the equivalent GED. Securing this position may benefit from prior experience working in a dental office, certification in office administration or medical administration, and knowledge of medical procedures and terminology.
3. A dental assistant
$43,476 year is the average salary nationwide.
Principal responsibilities: Alongside a dentist, a dental assistant helps patients with their oral health needs and supports the dentist during procedures, examinations, and treatments.Answering inquiries from patients, setting up the treatment area with instruments and supplies, and getting patients ready for treatments by seating and drapeing them are a few typical tasks. They also keep an inventory of the dentist office’s supplies, disinfect instruments, keep track of patients, educate patients, and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
Education requirements:
Candidates usually need to finish a dental assisting program at a community college, technical institution, university, dentistry school, or vocational school in order to be considered for this employment. The typical curriculum length is nine to eleven months, while some institutions offer faster versions.
Numerous dental assistant programs nationwide are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a branch of the American Dental Association (ADA). In order to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), a dental assistant may also elect to sit for a certification exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
4. A dental hygienist
The average annual wage nationwide is $74,321.
Dental hygienists’ main responsibilities include giving patients preventive dental treatment, which includes examinations, teeth cleanings, and instruction on proper oral hygiene.Other responsibilities include maintaining and assessing patient health records, cleaning and removing plaque from teeth, and taking pictures of the teeth and roots with X-ray equipment.
A dental hygienist may also be required in some places to remove sutures, provide anesthetic during minor dental operations, work with metal parts, and shape filling materials to fill cavities in teeth. A licensed dentist is the employer of dental hygienists.
Qualifications for education: A high school degree or GED equivalent must be earned before applying to work as a dental hygienist. A dental hygiene degree from an approved university or college is then required.
While some dental hygienists hold bachelor’s degrees, some hold associate’s degrees. This frequently relies on the dental hygienist’s home state.
5. Dental Professional
$223,864 annually is the average pay nationwide.
Dentists’ main responsibilities include the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses affecting the mouth, including the teeth, gums, and other associated tissues. Performing oral examinations, evaluating X-rays and other photographs of the teeth and mouth, diagnosing oral health issues, and creating treatment plans are among a dentist’s main responsibilities. In addition, dentists repair patients’ cavities, extract teeth, affix crowns and permanent implants, and carry out other oral procedures.
Education requirements:
A bachelor’s degree and graduation from a recognized dental school are prerequisites for becoming a dentist. A full-time dental school program lasts four years to complete. Every state requires a dentist to pass both a written and clinical exam to obtain their license after completing dental school.
6. Maxillofacial and oral surgeon
$297,626 year is the average pay nationwide.
The main responsibilities of oral and maxillofacial surgeons are treating diseases or abnormalities by performing procedures on the oral, maxillofacial, and soft tissues.In addition to providing emergency care for injuries to the soft tissues of the face and oral regions, they also administer local anesthetics, perform surgery to prepare the mouth for oral implants, and analyze X-ray images to determine the position of wisdom teeth and other teeth for removal.In order to restore function and form to the face, they also extract teeth that are broken, impacted, and irreparable as well as relocate or remove skin, nerves, bones, and tissues from other body areas.
Qualifications for education:
A bachelor’s degree is required to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. After that, which takes four to six years, they must complete their residency program after graduating from a dental school with accreditation.Obtaining a medical degree and obtaining the training required to conduct surgery are common outcomes of the six-year program.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is required by law to maintain a valid license, which is obtained through passing both a written and clinical examination. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) is a resource that many oral and maxillofacial surgeons use to achieve board certification.
7. Periodontist
$209,761 annually is the average pay nationwide.
Principal responsibilities: A periodontist examines, treats, and guards against illnesses that impact the gums and surrounding bone structure of the jaw. Among their responsibilities include implant placement, preventive care, treatment plan development, tissue reductions or grafts, and the provision of both surgical and nonsurgical gum disease treatment options.
Education requirements:
A periodontist must get a bachelor’s degree from an authorized dental institution, just like a dentist.
A periodontist completes a residency program focused on gum problems and illnesses after graduating from dentistry school. Periodontists must maintain current license in all states, which requires passing written and clinical examinations.
8. Orthodontist
$294,259 year is the average pay nationwide.
Principal responsibilities: An orthodontist evaluates and treats patients’ misaligned teeth as well as abnormalities in the oral cavity. The primary goal of orthodontists is to employ braces and retainers to straighten teeth and jaws.
Studying patients’ medical and dental histories, creating treatment programs, and evaluating X-ray pictures of the teeth and jaw are additional responsibilities. Along with keeping treatment records, they help fit patients for braces, retainers, and other dental appliances.
Requirements for education:
A bachelor’s degree and graduation from a recognized dentistry school are prerequisites for becoming an orthodontist. They must obtain an orthodontics certification, which requires three more years, after completing dentistry school. Additionally, in order to practice orthodontics in a state, an orthodontist must possess a valid license.
FAQs
How important is dental work?
Numerous health issues, including diabetes, renal disease, and heart disease, are also associated with poor dental health. Regular dental exams are important for your whole health, not just your teeth.
What is the most important thing about a dentist?
At all times, your dentist should make you feel comfortable and show empathy and compassion. A crucial character trait shared by all excellent dentists is transparency; they should be upfront with you regarding your oral health and any necessary procedures.
Why do dentists matter?
Systemic health and oral health are intimately related. Gum disease and other health issues are linked to diabetes, heart troubles, and other ailments. Dentistry keeps your teeth and gums healthy and slows the spread of oral disorders by emphasizing preventative care and dental therapy.
