At a Glance
Want to become a dentist? The first thing you'll need to know
is what to expect. We've all visited dentists for our
check-ups, but what exactly are they
doing
when they're poking around in your mouth?
The practice of dentistry covers all aspects of oral health,
from maintenance to cosmetic surgery. Dentists are responsible
for diagnosing, prescribing treatment, and managing care for
all dental disorders and diseases. This responsibility involves
not only the teeth and gums, but the tongue, lips, and jaw as
well.
In addition to the everyday tasks that you usually associate
with your check-up, dentists also perform cosmetic procedures
like bleaching teeth and carry out trauma surgery, such as
realigning a hockey player's jaw after a slapshot to the mouth.
Dentists play a key leadership role in the education of both
the general public and future dentists on pertinent healthcare
issues.
Opportunities abound in numerous aspects of the profession.
When most people hear the word dentist they tend to think of
the undertakings of a private practitioner. But dentists also
work in areas such as academia, research, public health policy,
international healthcare, and hospital dentistry. Often,
professionals will combine one or more of these fields. For
example, a general practitioner could also moonlight as a
clinical researcher or instructor at a university.
Dentists have several advantages that are unique to their
field. First, they can act as their own bosses. Dentists can
establish an ideal balance between personal and business life.
By owning their own practice, they can adjust their hours to
fit their own wants and needs. In addition, dentists are often
at the forefront of the hi-tech movement, working with novel
advances in an exciting, fast-paced, and perpetually changing
environment.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average income of
dentists is in the highest 5% of U.S. family income. However,
more importantly, dentistry offers a high potential to help
people improve their overall health and appearance. Thus, the
career is flexible, fun, and rewarding, both monetarily and
personally.
The Undergrad Journey
It is said that "the journey is often the reward, not the
destination."
While that may be true in life, the proverb may not apply as
easily to dentistry. Though gratifying in the end, the route to
dental school and a career in dentistry is full of challenges. If you are dedicated and motivated you can succeed.
Whether you have already decided on dentistry as a career or
are just considering it as an option, Kaplan has the tools to
help you do your best.
