You've chosen a great time to get started in a dentistry career—it was one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Careers of 2007, and the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage estimates for dentists at $140,950. The Department of Labor also estimates that the employment rates for dentists will increase between 9 and 17% through the year 2014.
Why is the future smiling on dentistry? Careeroverview.com credits the number of retiring dentists as well as the aging of the baby boomers. As this significant portion of the population continues to get older, they will have a considerable impact on several industries in this country, including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and even cosmetics. And as these folks continue to get older, they'll require preventive and maintenance care for their teeth, as well as bridges and dentures.
There are plenty of great reasons to pursue a career as a dentist: a good salary, the on-going intellectual challenge, job autonomy and security, the opportunity for research, and working with people are just a few. But dentistry isn't only about cleanings, x-rays, and cavities—while many dentists choose to be general practitioners, the American Dental Association recognizes several fields of specialization. Take a look at a few of the opportunities available to a DDS outside of general dentistry.
Fore more information about becoming a dentist, visit the American Dental Association website or predentist.com.
