Dental Careers
There are many career opportunities for men and women in the dental profession. Dentists, hygienists, assistants, and laboratory technicians are all part of the dental team that works together to provide optimal oral health care for the public.
Dentist
Different dental careers require different educational backgrounds and training. For instance, to become a dentist, a person generally must graduate from college with a science-based undergraduate degree, and then attend a dental school for three to four years. If he or she wishes to become a dental specialist, even further education is necessary. The dentist is the team leader, overseeing the total oral health of his or her patients, diagnosing oral conditions that need to be addressed, and providing a range of dental procedures based on a patient’s needs.
Approximately 80% of all dentists are general practitioners, offering a wide variety of services to all ages, including preventive services, fillings, extractions, root canals, and replacement of missing teeth.
The other 20% of dentists are specialists, focusing on one particular area of patient care and receiving advanced training in this area. The recognized dental specialties are:
* Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon —Provides diagnostic, operative and related services dealing with disease, injuries and defects in the mouth, jaw and face through surgical extraction or reconstruction
* Orthodontist —Treats problems related to irregular dental development, misaligned teeth and other developmental abnormalities in order to establish normal function and appearance of the teeth and jaw. “Braces” are often used in orthodontic treatment.
* Pediatric Dentist —Offers comprehensive dental treatment to children, adolescents and young adults.
* Periodontist —Provides diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, bone and other tissues that surround and support the teeth.
* Prosthodontist —Constructs artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and other oral structures.
* Endodontist —Deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp, the soft internal tissue of a tooth. While they perform other types of treatment, endodontists are most commonly associated with root canal procedures.
* Oral Pathologist —Deals with the identification and management of disease affecting the oral structures. These diseases are diagnosed through the use of clinical, x-ray, microscopic and biochemical examinations.
* Dental Public Health —Promotes dental health through organized community efforts. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.
* Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology —Use imaging and associated technology for the diagnosis and management of a range of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, and related areas of the head and neck.
Click here for additional resources about becoming a dentist from the ADA.
Dental Hygienist
Most dental hygienists receive a two-year associate degree in college, although four-year baccalaureate degrees are offered at some schools. Hygienists focus greatly on preventive dentistry—cleaning teeth, applying preventive materials such as fluorides and sealants to teeth, teaching patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and counseling patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
Schools:
University of New England
University College of Bangor
Dental Assistant/Radiographer
A dental assistant works with the dentist passing needed instruments and materials. He or she prepares and sterilizes equipment and often helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment. Dental assistants often become certified as dental radiographers, who are able to take and process x-rays under the supervision of a dentist. A number of schools have accredited programs (generally up to one year) for dental assistants, although many states allow on-the-job training for this position.
Click here for Dental Assistant Schools
Click here for Radiography School Programs
Dental Laboratory Technician
A dental laboratory technician works with the dentist to create replacements for natural teeth and corrective devices, such as dentures, bridges, crowns and orthodontic appliances. Some technicians receive training through accredited technology programs, but careers can begin through on-the-job training in a dental laboratory or a dental office.
Click here for Dental Laboratory Technician Schools
Dentist
Different dental careers require different educational backgrounds and training. For instance, to become a dentist, a person generally must graduate from college with a science-based undergraduate degree, and then attend a dental school for three to four years. If he or she wishes to become a dental specialist, even further education is necessary. The dentist is the team leader, overseeing the total oral health of his or her patients, diagnosing oral conditions that need to be addressed, and providing a range of dental procedures based on a patient’s needs.Approximately 80% of all dentists are general practitioners, offering a wide variety of services to all ages, including preventive services, fillings, extractions, root canals, and replacement of missing teeth.
The other 20% of dentists are specialists, focusing on one particular area of patient care and receiving advanced training in this area. The recognized dental specialties are:
* Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon —Provides diagnostic, operative and related services dealing with disease, injuries and defects in the mouth, jaw and face through surgical extraction or reconstruction
* Orthodontist —Treats problems related to irregular dental development, misaligned teeth and other developmental abnormalities in order to establish normal function and appearance of the teeth and jaw. “Braces” are often used in orthodontic treatment.
* Pediatric Dentist —Offers comprehensive dental treatment to children, adolescents and young adults.
* Periodontist —Provides diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, bone and other tissues that surround and support the teeth.
* Prosthodontist —Constructs artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and other oral structures.
* Endodontist —Deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp, the soft internal tissue of a tooth. While they perform other types of treatment, endodontists are most commonly associated with root canal procedures.
* Oral Pathologist —Deals with the identification and management of disease affecting the oral structures. These diseases are diagnosed through the use of clinical, x-ray, microscopic and biochemical examinations.
* Dental Public Health —Promotes dental health through organized community efforts. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.
* Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology —Use imaging and associated technology for the diagnosis and management of a range of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, and related areas of the head and neck.
Click here for additional resources about becoming a dentist from the ADA.
Dental Hygienist
Most dental hygienists receive a two-year associate degree in college, although four-year baccalaureate degrees are offered at some schools. Hygienists focus greatly on preventive dentistry—cleaning teeth, applying preventive materials such as fluorides and sealants to teeth, teaching patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and counseling patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.Schools:
University of New England
University College of Bangor
Dental Assistant/Radiographer
A dental assistant works with the dentist passing needed instruments and materials. He or she prepares and sterilizes equipment and often helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment. Dental assistants often become certified as dental radiographers, who are able to take and process x-rays under the supervision of a dentist. A number of schools have accredited programs (generally up to one year) for dental assistants, although many states allow on-the-job training for this position.Click here for Dental Assistant Schools
Click here for Radiography School Programs
Dental Laboratory Technician
A dental laboratory technician works with the dentist to create replacements for natural teeth and corrective devices, such as dentures, bridges, crowns and orthodontic appliances. Some technicians receive training through accredited technology programs, but careers can begin through on-the-job training in a dental laboratory or a dental office.Click here for Dental Laboratory Technician Schools
