Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The information below will help you explore one exciting career possibility -- dentistry.

Is Dentistry for You?

- There are many unique opportunities and benefits within your reach if you choose a dental career.

- A message is included for parents. You can use it as a starting point for discussions with them relative to your future career plans.

- Take your questions to dentists, counselors and teachers in your community. Remember that it’s your future, your career and your choice.

- Dentistry provides many unique opportunities to treat patients who have a wide variety of dental needs.

Dentistry -- A Career for the Future

Most dentists practicing today made their career decision in late high school or early college. It is never too soon or too late to begin some serious thinking about your career in dentistry. To get started, you will need to know what dentistry offers.

Here are some of dentistry’s many challenges and rewards:

- Variety -- Dentistry is a rapidly changing, expanding profession, involving:

- Detection of Diseases -- Dentists are often the first health care professionals to recognize and identify a wide variety of diseases, ranging from hypertension to cancer.

- Diagnosis -- Dentists diagnose and treat problems affecting the teeth, gingival tissue, tongue, lips and jaws. To accomplish this, they utilize new technology such as computers and magnetic resonance imaging.

- Aesthetic Improvement -- Dentists improve patients’ appearance by using a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures. These services can make patients feel better about their smiles.

- Surgical Restoration -- To repair, restore and maintain the teeth, gums and oral tissues that have been lost or damaged by accidents or diseases, dentists perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery.

- Public Education/Prevention -- Dentists teach good habits for good health. They educate their patients, as well as the general public, on how to achieve oral health and prevent disease.

- Dentists Treat People -- Not just teeth and mouths. They interact with people of all ages, cultures and personalities. The dentist’s typical day is diverse and interesting.

- Creativity -- Dentists are artists as well as scientists. To brighten one tooth or realign an entire jaw, dentists must have an artist’s aesthetic sense to help their patients look their best.

- Prestige -- Dentists provide an essential health care service. They are highly respected within the community. Dentists are skilled, conscientious, civic-minded individuals who work with community leaders, educators, other health professionals and government officials. They often volunteer services to school health programs and to elderly, handicapped or poor citizens, demonstrating a selflessness that is a hallmark of professionalism.

- Flexibility -- Dentistry allows you to be your own boss. Dentists can balance their personal and professional lives to meet their individual needs and desires. Dentistry provides opportunities in a variety of private and public settings including private practice, teaching, research, public health and administration.

- Security -- The average income of a dentist is in the highest 8 percent of U.S. family income. The demand for dental care will continue to grow. The increasing number of older adults are keeping their teeth longer; are more aware of the importance of regular dental care; and require more dental services. Geriatric dental care and the greatly increased demand for newer services, such as cosmetic dentistry, will also contribute to this growth.

- Personal Satisfaction -- A career in dentistry is personally fulfilling. Dentists perform an important public service to help people maintain their health and appearance. To serve the present and future oral health needs of their patients, dentists enjoy the challenge of a lifetime of learning. Tomorrow’s dentists will be at the cutting edge of high technology, making the practice of dentistry even more exciting and rewarding than it is today.

Opportunities for Minorities and Women

Dentistry offers minority students exceptional career opportunities. The need for dentists from minority groups is very strong. Dental care may be accepted more readily when the dentist has knowledge of the patient’s language and insight into their cultural background. Career opportunities for women in dentistry are also particularly good at this time.