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    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

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This page last modified on October 26, 2007