5 things you should know before starting your career as a dentist

Juanita

Dentists work with oral diseases and infections. It is a very well paid field in the employment sector in the UK, where wholly private dentists can earn up to £140,000 a year. It is a job that is needed throughout the world, and in the NHS a dentist can expect a salary of around £76,761. Dentists treat also treat injuries and dental issues, such as common cavities or orthodontic treatments. In this entry you will get to know the areas of study a dentist can have, as well as the responsibilities of this healthcare job.

You’ll need to be open to educate patients on their oral healthcare by examining their teeth through x-rays. Decay and gum diseases are both very frequent, so keeping medical records is a must. For this reason, you need to be organized and be open to the latest technology related to dental healthcare, basic computer science and administration.
You need to maintain stocks of equipment in order to have your office. Additionally you should train and recruit your nurses, hygienists and the rest of your teamwork. To keep updated on the newest health technology and administrative tools, you should attend some conferences. Work travel is frequent in this area.
You can study pre-dentistry programs or work as a hygienist while and while you gain experience, major in a science such as physiology, chemistry or biology to enter many dental schools, where you must spend 4 more years. There are some combination programs that bring the total years of study and practice up to 7.
Your practicing hours will depend on whether you are self-employed and therefore can arrange your own hours or whether you work in a hospital, where short-term contracts are more frequent. Night practice is very uncommon, different to other healthcare services.
Neck pain and fatigue, as well as visual aid issues are common in the field. Dealing with the patient’s anxiety and pain can be very stressful. Also, to avoid contagion of a possible infection you should always wear your safety glasses and surgical gloves. However, it can be a very rewarding job when you see the client’s satisfaction.