Dental Tips For Dental School - 1458 Words

If I decide to go to dental school and become a dentist, my job duties will consist of treating issues of the teeth and surrounding tissues in the mouth and also providing insight to prevent future dental problems (Dentist Job Description - Job Descriptions). The role of dentists in society is to monitor oral hygiene of patients in order to prevent gum disease which can further lead to heart disease, ultimately reducing casualties from oral cancers and heart disease (Gum Disease Can Lead to High Heart Disease Risk). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of dentists is expected to increase by 16 percent from 2010 to 2022, making the Dentist Job Outlook better than the average for all occupations. The mean annual wage for a†¦show more content†¦They also examine patients in order to develop treatment plans (Kesler). In 2010, Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that orthodontists made up the largest group of dental specialists in the United States. The number of available orthodontic positions was expected to increase 20% between 2008-2018, which is must faster than average of other occupations. In South Dakota, orthodontists make, on average, $187,200 annually (Orthodontist: Job Duties, Employment Outlook and Educational Requirements). The role of orthodontists in society, aside from giving beautiful smiles, is to provide patients with straight and properly aligned teeth that are easier to clean and ultimately, easier to maintain oral health (Daniels). The education required to become an orthodontist is much similar to that of becoming a dentist. Students much receive a bachelor’s degree, most likely in the field of biological sciences, and pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in order to be admitted into dental school. After graduating dental school and passing the National Board Dental Examinations, a written and clinical examination, one can get licensed through your State Board of Dentistry. Next, one will need to get certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, by taking The Initial Certification Examination which, again, consists of written and clinical examinations. Once one passes the examinations, one will earn the Board Certified Orthodontist designation