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To
be a successful Dentist you should:
- Have excellent judgment of space and shape.
- Be concerned for and commitment to health care and
oral hygiene.
- Have good eye/hand coordination and precision.
- Have excellent manual dexterity and patience for minute
movement.
- Have good listening skills and ability to communicate
clearly.
- Have an interest in biology and health sciences.
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
Dentists have at least eight years of education beyond
high school, and specialization requires even more training.
Students entering dental school are expected to have completed
the equivalent of four years of college and have a science-based
baccalaureate degree. All dental school applicants are
required to take the Dental Admission Test administered
by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental
Association. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Prerequisite:
Connecticut requires graduation from an approved Dental
School and passing the National Board Examination; acceptable
Regional Clinical Performance Test (e.g. NERB) |
| Where
can I get more information? American Dental
Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 621-8099
www.ada.org |
| What
is the salary for this career? $67,766 and
Higher (Source: Connecticut Department
of Labor) |
|
| What
will my job be like? Dentists, or Doctors
of Dental Medicine (DM), or Doctors of Dental Surgery
(DDS), diagnose and treat problems of the teeth and tissues
of the mouth. 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.
Dentists may specialize in the following:
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Surgery
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
|
| Where
could I work? Most dentists are "solo
practitioners," meaning they own their own businesses
and work alone or with a small staff. Some dentists have
partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate
dentists. Dentists usually work with a dental hygienist,
dental assistant, or nurse.
Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week. Some work evenings
and weekends to meet their patients' needs. Most full-time
dentists work about 40 hours a week. They may have their
own practice or be part of a dental or medical group.
Other workplace settings:
- Community Health Centers
- Dental Research
- Dental Schools and Clinics
- Equipment Manufacturing Companies
- Hospitals
- Public Health Departments
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| What
is the future of this career? There is an
ongoing increase in demand or need for dental personnel.
|
| Where
can I get the education and/or training? University
of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington |
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