We need to take good care of our health and have annual checkups with our doctors to prevent serious conditions or diseases. This is how preventive care in health works. But we often forget that along with our bodies, our teeth also need care and checkups. This is where dentists and their important role come into play in medical care.
Dentists play a massive role in maintaining our dental health and help us keep our teeth healthy. These professionals are among the most demanding in the medical field. Just like physicians and surgeons, dentists also have a successful career in medical care. Thus, in this blog, we will shed light on the responsibilities of a dentist and how to pursue this career in the USA.
Who is a Dentist?
A dentist is a healthcare professional who diagnoses, provides preventive care, and gives treatments for conditions of teeth, gums, and the mouth. They offer complete preventive and recovery care for teeth-related problems to dental patients. They may use a medicinal method or dental surgeries as a treatment for relieving conditions affecting teeth, gums, and the mouth. Dentists also help us maintain and improve our oral health.
Responsibilities of a Dentist in Dental Care
Dentists provide us with oral care and help us prevent serious issues related to teeth and gums. The job of a dentist is to provide holistic care and treatment for problems like tooth decay, gum disease, sensitive teeth, root infections, and more. To treat the oral problems, dentists provide the following services to their dental patients:
Examine Teeth and Gums:
Dentists do complete oral checkups of dental patients. They use the visual inspection method or X-rays to examine the teeth and gums of patients.
Prescribe Oral Care Medicines:
In case of a tooth infection, or as part of any treatment, dentists prescribe medicines to treat oral issues or provide relief from pain in teeth and gums.
Provide Preventive Treatments
Dentists use preventive treatments like fluoride treatments, teeth whitening, and sealants to provide preventive care to their dental patients.
Performing Oral Surgeries:
The dentists treat mild and severe oral issues with procedures and surgeries, including filling cavities, tooth extractions, root canal, gum surgery, and other dental procedures.
Administer Anesthesia:
Before doing a proper dental surgical treatment, dentists give and administer anesthesia to their patients so that the patient’s gums become numb and ready for dental procedures.
Monitor Teeth Growth:
Dentists also do routine monitoring of the development and growth of the teeth in children.
Educate About Oral Hygiene:
It is a dentist’s job to educate dental patients on how to practice healthy oral habits to protect their oral health
Career Path to Become a Dentist in the USA
Becoming a dentist in the USA takes a long time. It is because the USA education system for dentists requires several examinations to test the knowledge and expertise of the students. So, to become a dentist in the USA, students have to follow the steps below:
Get a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is to enroll in a bachelor’s degree with a focus on pre-dental coursework. This includes subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, and more. This step is essential as it equips students to learn the fundamentals of dentistry. It takes four years to complete the undergraduate degree.
Complete the Dental Program
After the bachelor’s degree, students have to complete the dental degree. Students can either choose a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Students can choose either of these programs as both of them have the same curriculum of dentistry coursework, and the US government recognizes them. It only depends on the dental school whether they offer a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree for emerging dentists.
Both of these are four-year programs that enhance students’ knowledge in biology, dental radiology, anatomy, microbiology, and more. The dental school also helps students gain clinical experience in dentistry.
Obtain Dental License
After completing the dental program, the students have to pass the national dentistry exam to get their license. The National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) issues licenses to dentists who have completed dental school. To obtain a license, students have to pass a written examination and a clinical examination, and then they obtain their official, nationally recognized dental license. Students should also check their state license requirements and may have to pass the state examination to obtain a state license for dentistry.
Average Salary of a Dentist in the USA
It takes around eight years for students in the USA to become licensed dentists. After an extensive study of eight years, dentists have a strong career in the medical field. On average, the annual salary of a dentist in the USA is $179,210.
Which Medical Settings Do Dentists Work In?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation of dentists is set to increase 5% from 2023 to 2033. This study was carried out in 2024, and it shows that there is a greater need for more dental professionals in the USA. So, students becoming dentists can look for job opportunities in the following medical settings:
- Hospitals
- Private dental practices
- Public health clinic
- Dental schools
- Military
- Dental research
Final Thoughts
A dentist is a successful profession that takes around eight years of study to get this title. However, once the survey is completed, students can pass the national dentistry exam and get their license. This helps them become a licensed dentist, and they can easily start their career in a hospital or run their private dental clinic.
Are you looking for a dentist role in the USA? Consider taking help from Intuitive Health Services, which is a health staffing agency. Intuitive Health Services will locate you the dentist roles that fit your personal preferences.
