Oral health significantly contributes to one’s well-being. With a poor dental condition, various health problems could crop up, from obstructive sleep apnea to cardiovascular diseases. Because of the importance of oral health, it deserves to have a separate branch of medicine called dentistry.
Dentists promote good oral hygiene and are responsible for caring for their patient’s teeth and mouth. Unfortunately, some are confused about why people are interested in pursuing a career in dentistry.
While it can be insulting for some, aspiring dentists should understand that it might be coming from a place of unawareness and insensibility. So, if someone or you want to know why you yourself want to become a dentist, read the reasons listed below about why it’s a good idea to pursue a career in dentistry.
Have Many Career Options
Those people who graduate from dental school are only considered general dentists. And just like with doctors, they can branch out into different specialties.
Generalists focus mostly on treatments, unlike other specific branches of dentistry. For example, cosmetic dentistry helps patients with visually unappealing teeth. Some of the other specializations available to them are orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Also, there are many different career options available to them. For example, they can work in private practice, public health, or academia.
Guarantee Occupational Growth
Since dentistry is an essential branch of medicine, it’s unlikely to lose demand over time. If anything, dental clinics are expected to stay relevant in society. After all, countless people will rely on dentists to handle a dental implants process and other procedures. Without them, society might start failing eventually now that one of its essentials has been removed from the picture.
Encourages Artistry
Dentistry is a great career choice for creative people who enjoy working with their hands. They can use their artistic skills to create beautiful smiles through their patients’ fillings, crowns, and veneers.
Remember that even though dentistry is a technical field or line of work, there is still a lot of room for creativity. Similar to dermatologists, dentists can use their artistic skills to choose the right materials and techniques for each patient’s individual needs. They can also use their creativity to develop new and innovative ways to improve the dental patient experience.
Earn High Salary
Since dentists have studied for years before graduating, all their efforts and service to their clients are all worth it eventually. Take note that dentistry students can expect to earn a good salary right out of school, and their pay will continue to increase over time.
However, it’s important to note that the rates for dentists for each state may vary significantly. Nonetheless, everyone can safely say these dental professionals earn significantly more than the average Joe.
Exercise Flexibility
Unlike most medical practices, dentistry allows the practitioner more freedom. Because as soon as they’ve graduated, they have two choices. One, they apply to a well-known medical establishment. Two, they open their own business.
Granted, starting a business from scratch isn’t easy. But considering dentists have complete control over it, they can live freely more than other professionals in the medical field because they can dictate their business hours and most patients can’t do anything about it.
Transform Lives
Even though dentists don’t receive the same warm reception as nurses or doctors at hospitals receive, they all share the same duty of treating their patients. Dentists have the opportunity to improve the lives of their patients in a variety of ways. They can help patients improve their oral health, which can lead to a number of other health benefits.
And even though dentistry is seemingly focused on the physical appearance of people’s smiles, dentists can have a profound impact on their patient’s overall well-being as well. To prove this, studies have shown that people with good oral health are more likely to have a higher quality of life. These same people also have better mental health, social relationships, and employment opportunities.
Expand Social Life
Dentistry seems like a solitary career because most dentists spend much of their time working in private offices. However, they’re often at the center of huge social networks comprised of other dentists, dental hygienists, and other healthcare professionals.
Also, a dentist’s job exposes them to a lot more people than people would expect. Their line of work allows them to build relationships with their patients, as they often work with them more closely than most medical professionals—literally and figuratively.
Takeaway
Oral health is truly essential for the overall health and well-being of humans. That’s why dentistry is a respected and rewarding career choice. Unfortunately, not many people see and know that being a dentist is one of the most noble medical careers. While the situation is like that, it doesn’t matter. What’s essential is that dentists—the people you aspire to become—still diligently do their responsibility to society despite the unpleasant treatment they receive from others.
Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.