DENTAL CAREERS
DENTAL ASSISTANT
Dental assistants, assist the dentist during procedures, take X-rays, sterilize equipment and instruments, schedule appointments, maintaining inventories and ordering supplies
DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Dental Hygienists screen patients, review health histories, clean teeth, apply preventative materials to teeth, educate patients on proper oral hygiene and how their diets affect oral health. ​
Education requirements:
-
Complete a 2 year associate degree or 4-year bachelor's program at an accredited school, with hands-on clinical training
-
Become an Registered Dental Hygineist (RDH) by passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and state licensure exams.
​
GENERAL DENTIST
Dentists diagnose and treat diseases, improve a patient's appearance, perform surgical procedures, educate patients, teach future dentists and dental hygienist, perform research.
Education Requirements:
-
Receive a college undergraduate degree
-
Complete required coursework ( 8 hours Biology with Lab, 8 hours Physics, 8 hours English, 8 hours General Chemistry with Lab, 8 hours Organic Chemistry with Lab)
-
Take Dental Admission Test
PEDODONTIST
Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
Education Requirements:
-
Training programs take from 24 to 36 months. There are currently 82 programs in the United States.
ORTHODONTIST
The dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion. As well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
Education Requirements:
-
Advanced dental education programs in orthodontics take between 24 and 36 months to complete. Currently, you can choose from 67 programs in the United States.
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
The specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Education Requirements:
-
Training programs vary in length from four to six years. Some programs offer certificates while others offer M.D. degree within the residency program. There are currently 101 programs in the United States.
​
ENDODONTICS
The dental specialty that is concerned with the morphology, biology, physiology, pathology and regeneration of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues.
Education requirements:
-
After successful completion and licensure from dental school, to become an endodontist, you will need advanced dental education. Program lengths vary, but the average is 26 months. There are 55 endodontic programs in the United States.
PROSTHODONTIST
The dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.
Education requirements:
-
Advanced education programs in prosthodontics average about 36 months to complete.
PERIODONTIST
The specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.
Education requirements:
-
After successful completion and licensure from dental school, most periodontal education programs last 35 months though program length may vary. There are currently 57 programs in the United States.
DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Dental Lab Technicians combine artistry with dentists to create custom dental restorations, like dentures, crowns, and veneers.