reasons why to be a dentist

Ten Great Reasons to Be a Dentist

• Service to Others: Help people maintain and improve their oral health, quality of life and appearance
• Balanced Lifestyle: Dentistry offers flexibility to balance professional and personal life
• Empower Your Patients: Give patients smiles they are proud to wear
• Technology and Research: Be involved with the scientific advancement of dentistry

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Full Answer

What do you need to do to become a dentist?

Be respected members of their communities. Dentists are highly regarded by the communities they serve for their contributions to the general health of the public as well as their drive to improve the lives of those around them. Exercise creativity in their daily work. Dentistry is often referred to as an art.

What are the pros and cons of being a dentist?

Jun 19, 2018 · Add to that a strong sense of compassion and you have what is needed to be a good dentist. I decided dentistry was the perfect fit for me, and I think I made a good decision.”. The answers as to why someone would want to become a dentist are as diverse as the people themselves, but the common thread that binds dentists is a strong desire to ...

How stressful is it to be a dentist?

Jun 30, 2018 · There are a lot of reasons why you should consider dentistry. Here are some of the very best reasons why to choose a dental profession. 1. Ability to Help People with Dental Skills. Dentistry is a service oriented profession. As a dentist …

How satisfying is it to be a dentist?

Oct 04, 2021 · Being able to learn new methods and apply new techniques that improve patient care is one reason I became a dentist." Example 4 "One reason I wanted to become a dentist was the opportunity to work in health care with other professionals from whom I can learn. Throughout my career, I've had opportunities to mentor assistant dentists, hygienists and …

Why did you choose to be a dentist?

What are 3 advantages of being a dentist?

What do you love about dentistry?

What is unique about dentistry?

1. Oral health is a priority

According to a survey, nearly two-thirds of individuals in the United States said their current health priority is their oral health. As a health-related priority, oral health was ranked higher than mental health, exercise, and diet.

3. Dentistry is not just about teeth

Dentists' work goes beyond giving people ease and fixing the teeth' alignment. Imagine someone met with a car accident that deformed their facial bones. Who they’ll go to? A qualified oral surgeon.

4. Be your own boss

If you've ever dreamed of being your own boss and want to work in medicine, dentistry provides a variety of flexible choices. When you graduate from dental school, you have a lot of options for where you want to work. You have the option of joining a practice or pursuing your business dreams and opening your own clinic.

5. Balance the ratio of dentist to population

There were 61.04 dentists per 100,000 people in the United States in 2020. And about only one in five professionally active dentists reported that their practice, research, or administration area is an ADA recognized specialty.

6. More interaction with people

A normal day in the life of a dentist is diverse and intriguing, as they deal with individuals of various ages, personalities, and cultures.

7. Contribute to the future of oral health care

Dentistry is frequently referred to be a form of art. It necessitates a level of skill and technique that is unique to the field. Dentistry is primarily concerned with preserving good oral health, but it also focuses on the capacity building of everyone practicing.

8. Earn a lucrative salary

Although you shouldn't pursue it only for the money, a dental career pays well everywhere in the world, and you'll be able to make a good living. Dentists in the United States earned an average salary of $158,000 per year, or approximately $76 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why do people choose dentistry?

Here are some of the very best reasons why to choose a dental profession. 1. Ability to Help People with Dental Skills. Dentistry is a service oriented profession. As a dentist you will spend all of your time helping people.

What is the job of a dentist?

A dentist holds the title of doctor and is given the responsibility to prescribe drugs, review personal health histories and perform oral surgeries. With this responsibility comes a strong respect from the community.

Is dentistry a service oriented profession?

Dentistry is a service oriented profession. As a dentist you will spend all of your time helping people. This can make your work very rewarding, especially as you make significant improvements in people’s lives. There can be instant gratification when you end a bad tooth ache or place a beautiful crown. 2.

What is a high respected profession?

2. Highly Respected Profession. Dentistry is a high respected profession. A dentist holds the title of doctor and is given the responsibility to prescribe drugs, review personal health histories and perform oral surgeries. With this responsibility comes a strong respect from the community.

Do baby boomers need dentists?

There is a strong demand for good dentists all over the world. In the US, the baby boomers are aging and their dental needs are likely to increase. Also, there are a limited number of seats per year in the dental schools and as the baby boomer dentists retire there will be more voids that need to be filled.

Why are women less likely to work full time?

Statistically these women are less likely to work full time because some will choose a family life raising children. This means the demands for dental care will increase per dentist, making the profession very stable. 4. Dentists Have Great Pay. According to Forbes Magazine, the average dentist makes $122,883 a year.

1. Think about what inspired you to choose dentistry

Consider several factors that helped you decide on your career path. Factors like helping others learn about their oral health and providing compassionate care show the interviewer your passion and empathy.

2. Highlight your strengths

Discuss the strengths that support your success as a dentist. For example, hard skills like technology proficiency, dental equipment operation and specialized skills in different fields of dentistry showcase your capabilities in the career. Your soft skills are also important to discuss.

3. Relate your skills to the job requirements

When highlighting your strengths, it's also essential you connect these skills to the job requirements. For instance, when discussing technology use, connect your proficiency to the employer's requirements for managing records, budgeting and organizing dental supplies.

4. Explain what engages you in your work

Another effective approach to answering interview questions about your career choice is to describe what motivates you. Consider your favorite aspects of the career, such as helping others, providing oral health education or working in complex dentistry fields.

5. Be genuine in your response

When answering this interview question, be honest in your response. Give genuine reasons for pursuing your career field and convey your interest in and curiosity about dentistry, including innovation and advancements.

Example 1

"I've been interested in a career in the health care field since I was a senior in high school, and then developed my passion for helping others learn about their oral health when I got into college.

Example 2

"Research in dentistry is something I have been pursuing, as I'm interested in the advancements others are developing in the practice. Before moving here, I helped form and lead a small research team, which supported my development in leadership and research and analysis.

1. Help People With Oral Hygiene And Cleanliness

One of the most compelling reasons why you should become a dentist is to help other people. Dentists accomplish that by cleaning patients’ gums and teeth and addressing dental and oral hygiene problems that will only grow worse — and possibly lead to major health problems — if left untreated.

2. Help People Feel Confident In Themselves

Another reason why you should become a dentist is to help people become their most confident selves. Unfortunately, the appearance of our teeth can take quite a toll on an individual’s self-worth and self-confidence — and even their mental health.

3. Perform Important Surgeries

If you are wondering why you should become a dentist, know that dentistry involves a great deal more than removing plaque and teaching patients how to properly floss.

4. Specialize in a Specific Field

Another reason why you should become a dentist is to follow your passion. As with any other career, many dentists have a certain area of dentistry that calls to them in particular.

5. Run Your Own Practice

Perhaps a lesser-known reason why you should become a dentist is to start your own practice and become your own boss. According to a poll by Gallup, 61% of workers endeavor to become their own boss one day. Dentistry provides the perfect opportunity to do it.

6. Employ Other Small And Local Companies As A Business Owner

If you choose to start your own practice, the reasons why you should become a dentist compound. As the boss of your own dental practice, you will have opportunities to give back to your local community, just like UTHealth students gave back to Houston’s veterans.

7. Provide Beneficial Advice To Your Patients And Community

Perhaps one of the most important reasons why you should become a dentist is to educate the public. Dentists are a tremendous help simply thanks to the invaluable advice they impart to their patients.

What is the role of a dentist?

Dentists assist patients in maintaining their oral health. They diagnose and treat common conditions such as cavities as well as potentially serious medical conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer . Dentists educate patients in disease prevention and oral care techniques they can perform on their own. Some dentists also perform cosmetic ...

What do dentists do?

Dentists educate patients in disease prevention and oral care techniques they can perform on their own. Some dentists also perform cosmetic procedures to straighten or repair crooked or damaged teeth, which can provide patients with greater confidence in their physical appearance.

Is dentistry a prestigious profession?

Dentistry is a prestigious profession, and dentists are held in high esteem by friends, family members and the communities in which they live and work. Dentists who work in private practice can assume key leadership roles upon establishing themselves in their local communities, such as spearheading charitable efforts that benefit the community. Dentist who engage in research have the opportunity to make important treatment breakthroughs, enabling them to earn the respect of their colleagues.

Is dentistry a lucrative career?

Dentistry is a potentially lucrative career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income of general dentists in the United States was $161,750 as of May 2011. The BLS also indicates that employment for dentists is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations. A primary reason for this demand is the increasing number of aging Americans who need dental care, according to the ADA.

Can a dentist work as a sole proprietor?

Examples include pediatric dentistry, endodontics and dental public health. Dentists can work as self-employed sole proprietors or in partnership with other dentists, or as employees of organizations such as hospitals and research facilities.

What organization do dentists work for?

Some American dentists work for such entities as the World Health Organization, giving them the opportunity to treat individuals in need of dental care in impoverished nations around the world. SmartAsset.com.

How much does a dentist make in 2016?

2016 Salary Information for Dentists. Dentists earned a median annual salary of $158,390 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, dentists earned a 25th percentile salary of $110,030, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount.

Extracting the wrong tooth

I haven’t done it. Yet, it’s always something that’s just living rent free in my head. Sometimes the fear overcomes me. I’ve been told it’s a good fear to have and a way to help reduce that fear is by saying out loud; Forceps on tooth X. I’m curious to know how others have dealt with it.

Tired of pampering others ?

For starters, I run a successful office in a suburban area in USA and we're doing quite well. However, I'm growing tired of always pampering others. Maybe it's because we haven't had a chance to go on vacation for more than 2 years due to COVID and young kids, but I'm just exhausted mentally.

Anyone else decide it's time to throw in the towel

The mental and physical highs and lows of this profession have worn me down. I thought in 2020, I would try to find a way to get out of dentistry and maybe secure some sort of WFH job. Took some CS courses and continued learning in my limited free time. 2021, I kept telling myself I would leave this year.

How do dentists find jobs?

I just started a job with a staffing agency that specializes in dentists. I'm not a new recruiter but am new to dentistry. For those of you that do not own your own practice, how do you find jobs?