Why You Should Consider a Career as a Dental Professional
Dentistry: An Attractive Career Choice
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Security
- Prestige
- Personal Satisfaction
- Health Promotion
Career Profile
- 152,000 + Dentists in the United States
- General Dentists: 79%
- Specialists: 19%
- Private Practitioners: 92% (67% are Solo Practitioners)
- 2001: Approx. 40% of MD's are in salaried positions
- 1995 Gallup Poll: Dentists are 3rd 'Most Trusted' Profession (Behind Pharmacists and the Clergy) 92% of Respondents would refer friends and relatives to their dentist
- Women in Dental School Classes: >40% nationwide, UMC SOD 2002 Entering Class = 46% female
Dental Economics
- UMC School of Dentistry = Least Expensive School in the US
- 1999: Ave. Net Income of General Dentists (US) = $158,080
- Ave. Net Income of Specialists (US) = $240,000
- Net hourly rate of Dentists now exceeds that of: Family Practitioner, Physicians, Pediatricians, General Internists, Psychiatrists
- Average Income of Dentist: Top 8% of US family incomes
- Dental Offices: 3rd Highest Category of US Businesses 'Most Likely to Survive' (According to Inc Magazine)
- Average Dentist Work Week: 37 hours/week (limited "on call" responsibilities)
Future Trends in Dentistry
- 2001 - 2020: 48,000 US Dentists will reach retirement age
- 1990: Ratio of Dentists per 100,000 US Population = 59.5
- 2020: Ratio expected to be 57.2 (fewer practicing dentists)
- Growing Demands for Oral Health Care Services:
- US Population living longer, retaining more of their teeth
- Older population able to afford more oral health care services
Career Opportunities
- Traditional Private Practice
- Academic Dentistry
- Research and Industry
- Military Dentistry
- Public Health - State
- State Dental Public Health Facilities
- County Public Health Facilities
- Public Health - Federal
- Indian Health Service
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
Dental Specialties
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Public Health
Other Notable Items:
- Dentistry easily practiced on part-time basis; ample time to raise family and earncomfortable living;
- Many Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery Programs offer MD along with specialty training;
- Dentists are licensed immediately after dental school, with considerable earning potential just 4 years out of college;
- UMC School of Dentistry: Performance on National Board Dental Examinations
- Part I (2000): Ranked #5 in US
- Part II (2001): Ranked #6 in US