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5 Lessons to Learn from Successful Dentists – and 5 From Failures

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The dental field is projected to grow during the next 10 years about 18%.

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The rapid growth of corporate dentistry ( dental management companies) has only recently caught the attention of traditional dentistry. What factors are fueling ...

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Dentists use x-ray technology to see how a patient's teeth are forming under their gums.

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Essential Question: How can I become a contributing member of society?

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Essential Question: How can I become a contributing member of society?

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Dentists help the community by diagnosing and treating problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care.

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Medical, dental and prescription drug coverage

Vision insurance

Company paid basic life insurance

Company paid short term and long term disability

Company paid Professional Liability insurance

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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Average Benefits and Salary for Dentist Jobs in the U.S. | Kool Smiles Jobs

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Dentist benefits and salary are typically competitive with any other health care job. Learn more about the average pay for dentists across the U.S.

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-median salary of $153,900 in 2016
-The best-paid earned more than $208,000, while the lowest-paid earned less than $67,690.

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How Much Can a Dentist Expect to Get Paid?

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Salary information and advice for dentist at US News Best Jobs.

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-The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
- Before reaching dental school, I must complete at least 90 hours of an undergraduate program
- Doctoral or professional degree

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Before reaching dental school, students must complete at least 90 hours of an undergraduate program, though many departments now require a full degree. While students may elect to complete an unrelated curriculum, those who choose pre-dentistry or a science-related major will be ahead of the pack when it comes time to meet prerequisite requirements. Some of the common undergraduate degree paths for aspiring dentists are reviewed in-depth below.

Students should be vigilant about their grades and study habits even at this level, as GPAs play a profound role in dental school admissions.

Get a Good Score on the Dental Acceptance Test

Administered by the American Dental Association, the Dental Acceptance Test is a major component of a dental school application. Comprised of 280 questions, this five-hour test is heavily weighted toward questions related to the natural sciences, with reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning also making up a significant portion of the overall score.

Scored out of a possible 30 points, the current average score is 19. To be truly competitive, though, students should aim for a higher mark. The ADA reports that enrollment for 2014-2015 reached its highest level in the history of dental school, beating out the peak levels of entrants seen in the 1980-81 academic year. In reviewing admission cycle statistics, the competitive nature of the process becomes clearer when considering these admission numbers reported by some of the following top schools:

University of California San Francisco: 1,935 applicants, 118 admission offers

Tufts University: 4,635 applicants, 182 enrollees

Indiana University: 1,508 applicants, 106 matriculated

Complete a Doctoral Degree

Dental schools in America currently offer two different types of program that qualify students to practice as dentists once licensed: the Doctor of Dental Surgery and the Doctor of Dental Medicine. Don't let the names fool you. Both programs are basically the same in terms of coursework and outcomes. The most important consideration at this level is to find a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to ensure licensure will be possible after graduation.

Besides regular coursework and clinical rotations covered in the standard four-year program, the American Dental Association currently recognizes nine different specialty areas students can choose to focus their learning. These include:

Dental Public Health

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Pediatric Dentistry

Endodontics

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Periodontics

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Prosthodontics

Undertake Requirements for Licensure

Individual states mandate licensure requirements for dentists, but most include similar steps. Aside from completing a course of study at an accredited institution, students must pass two examinations covering written and clinical components.

The National Board Dental Examinations are administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examination and covers topics ranging from biomedical sciences, dental anatomy, and ethics to clinical dental subjects and patient management.

Clinical examinations are overseen by individual state's boards of dentistry and use a regional testing center to manage the exam process.

Preparing for a Dentist Career:
Dental Schools & Programs

Pre-dental School Programs & Degrees

While dental programs don't start in earnest until the graduate level, there are numerous academic paths a dentist-in-training can take to prepare for future studies. Some of the most common are highlighted in this section.

Dental School Admission Requirements

Admission to an academic program for dentistry is a demanding process. Most programs are small, and admission is competitive. In order to rise above other hopefuls, prospective students must show how their blend of skills, academic achievements and prior learning prepares them for the rigors of dentistry school. Components of this process include:

Prerequisite Courses

The majority of programs require at least 90 credits be completed at the time of application, or in some cases a full baccalaureate degree. These credits must include studies in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, physiology, math and English composition.

Undergraduate Record

Aside from showing the above courses have been completed, the grades achieved in each also matter. Most programs require a GPA minimum of 3.2, but students should aim for higher grades to be truly competitive.

Test Scores

Like the GRE or GMAT, applicants to advanced dentistry programs must pass the American Dental Association's Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The examination is comprised of eight different scores: six of these cover areas of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning. The other two scores are based on total science and academic average. The examination is scored between 0 and 30 points, with the scores of those accepted to programs in 2012 averaging 19.9.

Dental School Courses & Requirements

Upon passing the application stage, admitted students are accepted to either a doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine program. These terminal doctorates both qualify a graduate for licensures, and the content in each is the same. The name differences are more a matter of semantics rather than differing curriculum.

Students dedicated to full-time study are typically able to complete their program in four years, during which time they sit in on lectures and seminars while gaining hands-on training in clinical rotations and laboratory sessions. The first two years of study are foundational in nature and expose students to an array of topics that inform the field. The final two years, conversely, heavily involve clinically-based courses; didactic learning continues alongside.

Some of the courses most commonly found at dental school include:

Dentist Career Concentrations

The American Dental Association reported that one in five active dentists worked in a practice, research or administration area that is recognized as a specialty by the ADA in 2015. Dentists can specialize in a variety of different areas of the field, ranging from pediatric and periodontal to oral surgery and orthodontics. Many dental programs offer different concentrations for students who have a fine-tuned idea of the type of oral health care they wish to provide. Whether planning to work in general dentistry or a focused area, the following examples of options will help narrow down your top choices.

Components Of A Successful Dentist Career: Skills, Credentials, Tools & Technology

Although education plays a critical role in the abilities and successes of dentists, many other components combine to form a prosperous career. The following section highlights some of the top skills and credentials top dentists hold and takes a look at common tools and technologies they use.

Problem Solving

Compassion

Time Management

Leadership

Credentials

Licensure requirements are mandated at the state level and individual components vary by region; however, all states have three basic requirements:

To be eligible for licensure, students must graduate from a program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. As of 2016, there are 66 accredited programs throughout the United States.

Written Examination

Licensing boards use the National Board Dental Examination for the written component. The exam, which consists of two parts, is overseen by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

Clinical Examination

All 50 states except Delaware outsource the clinical exam component to a regional testing agency. Depending on where a licensee lives, they must contact one of these assessment boards:

Dentist Salaries & Job Growth

Dentist Salaries Across the US

Although the current median annual salary for dentists across the country is $158,310, this number fluctuates from state to state. Use the map below to exam salaries in the top and bottom tenth percentiles as well as the average in each state.

Dentist Job Growth

Much like other medical fields, roles for dentists are expected to expand significantly between 2014 and 2024: current projections show an 18 percent growth, or the addition 26,700 jobs. While these figures represent the country as a whole, some states may be set for greater or lesser growth. Examine each state's job outlook for dentists as well as the number of openings expected.

Related Culinary Careers at a Glance

Dental Schools & Dentist Career Resources

American Academy of Periodontology

Dentists following this path of specialization can find many helpful member resources provided by AAP, including continuing education, publications, regular meetings, and a career-finder tool.

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

The AAOMS represents the needs and interests of oral and maxillofacial surgeons by helping enhance their practice through valuable resources, research, education, exhibitions, advocacy, and regular meetings. There is also a special section of the website for dental students.

American Association of Orthodontists

Representing the interests of Orthodontists in all 50 states, AAO provides helpful tips on practice management, continuing education opportunities, an online library, legal advice, and numerous meetings and events.

American Association of Women Dentists

Did you know female dentists comprise 29 percent of the current workforce? This professional body champions women dentists and advocates on their behalf. The AAWD also hosts numerous opportunities for female dentists to join together and inspire one another.

American Dental Association

The ADA is the leading professional body for the industry and provides myriad services, ranging from licensure examinations and advocacy to research and events.

National Dental Association

In addition to releasing regular research findings and academic publications, NDA also hosts several events throughout the country that are open to both practicing dentists and students. Be sure to visit the career page while checking out their website.

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Dentist Schools & Careers | How to Become a Dentist

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Before reaching dental school, students must complete at least 90 hours of an undergraduate program, though many departments now require a full degree. While students may elect to complete an unrelated curriculum, those who choose pre-dentistry or a science-related major will be ahead of the pack when it comes time to meet prerequisite requirements.