Dentistry

The Profession
The dental profession consists of health care providers whose primary mission is oral health wellness.  The profession is made up of dentists, dental hygienists and support personnel such as dental chairside assistants, receptionists, practice managers, business managers, insurance and other office staff. 

Dentists are primarily concerned with the preservation and maintenance of the health of the teeth, periodontium (gums and supportive bone), muscles of mastication and temporomandibular joints (TMJs).  Their skills focus on prevention and restoration of the common dental diseases, treating associated infections and developmental abnormalities.  They are involved with prevention of oral diseases, esthetics, form and function, and comfort and wellness. 

Dentists are part of the total health care team and consider the complete health of the patients, understand his/her medication and medical condition-especially when the disease or medication affects the dental condition or treatment.  Their care is often in concert with medical treatment such as health of the heart or cardiovascular system, communicable diseases, systemic diseases, developmental, psychological or behavioral problems. 

Dentists are not only providers of clinical care and health but are most often the managers of a small business.  They can be personnel mangers, business managers and planners, financial planners for themselves and their team.  They are expert at people skills; at establishing relations and communication with their team (staff), their patients and the community. 

Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they practice.  For licensure in Minnesota, a dentist must graduate from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, pass Parts I and II of the National Board Examination, pass the clinical examination administered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) within five years of application for licensure, pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence examination and submit an application fee. 

Self-Assessment
Dentists must combine a range of skills, including: technical knowledge, interpersonal communication and the ability to work well with patients, business administration and management, recordkeeping, self-discipline, and the ability to supervise employees. Students applying to dental school must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Click here for admissions statistics.

Exploring Options
Most dentists work in private practice. They can practice alone or in partnership with one or more other dentists. Dental businesses, clinics and hospitals also employ dentists. Dentists have the option of practicing in the military, the Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service and the National Health Service Corps. 

Most dentists are general practitioners, roughly 79%. Others choose to specialize in the following areas:

• Orthodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Pediatric dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Endodontics
• Public health dentistry
• Oral pathology
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology

The future of dentistry looks great!  The dental market has changed in the last 20 years or so from a sellers market to a buyers market.  Because of the aging population and the number of practicing dentists at or near retirement age, the dentist to population ratio is also changing.  Dental graduates currently find a relatively easy market for them to locate practices.  There are many underserved populations and areas, but even the well served areas such as metropolitan settings are becoming more available than in the past.  There is a strong emergence of the fee for service practice of dentistry.  Financing the purchase of part of an existing practice is now usually very attainable.  Even start-up practices are often now supported by banks and other lending institutions. Click here for salary information.