- 1. A person qualified to treat the diseases andconditions that
affect the teeth and gums
2. Why A Dentist?When people ask what do you want to be when you
grow up? the mostcommon answer said from 15-30% of the population
is: I want tobecome a doctor. However, that is when the second
question getsasked: what kind of doctor? This is the question that
most people getstuck on because THEY ARE NOT SURE. However, in the
end a fewamount of people from this group end up becoming a
dentist.There are many different reasons that make people want to
become adentist; including:You get to be creative (cosmetic),Help
people,Meet new people every day, and actually get to know
thembetter.Be your own boss,Make a very good living,Make a
difference in peoples lives, especially those who mayfeel
embarrassed about their smile.Have more fun compared to other types
of doctors since youare physically doing work instead of sitting
around anddoing research or waiting for a customer.Have more free
time compared to other doctors since mostDentists are not
constantly working as much as othertypes of doctors such as family
doctors. 3. Types of Employers-Most dentists work in private
practice, but theymay also be employed in hospitals, clinics,public
health facilities, or universities.-Most dentists are their OWN
EMPLOYERS andonly some places accept dentists such as
largehospitals and dentistry businesses. 4. Types of
Duties?Dentists perform some or all of the following duties:
Examine patients teeth, gums, and surrounding tissueto: -Diagnose
disease, injury, and decay, and -Plan appropriate treatment
Restore, extract, and replace diseased and decayed teeth Perform
oral surgery, periodontal surgery, and other treatments Clean teeth
and instruct patients on oral hygiene Design bridgework, fit
dentures, and provide appliances to correct abnormal positioning of
the teeth and jaws Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants,
and other staff Diagnose oral problems. Fill cavities. Perform root
canals. Treat gum disease. Practice orthodontia. Give anesthesia
and perform oral surgery. 5. Skills Required Good communications-
good communicator. This means the ability to listen to the patients
concerns and problems with interest Able to answer using proper
English that can be understood by the patient. It is often said
that the best dentists are those who communicate well and not
necessarily those who carry out clinical dentistry to the best
standard.Patience-One also needs to be patient. One will need to be
able to treat a widerange of patients: the very old at one end and
the very young at theother. Dentistry, by its very nature, is not a
naturally pleasantexperience and it can induce states of fear,
panic and near hysteria(psychological disorder) in certain
individuals, but always rememberthat a difficult child could be
your son or that slow elderly lady couldbe your mother! 6. Skills
RequiredKindness and compassion-One needs to be able to show
kindness and compassion. Peopleoften only go to the dentist when
they have a problem such as pain,swelling, broken teeth, infection,
bleeding gums etc. It is thereforeimperative to be non-judgemental
and supportive of your patientsand demonstrate your desire to want
to help relieve their suffering,regardless of their class or
background.Manual dexterity (skillful withusing your hands)-Manual
dexterity is certainly a bonusalthough not must have.
Clinicaldentistry is a very practical subjectand one cannot only
give muchpleasure to the patients by producing very natural
product. If you are ableto show to your patients that you arewell
with using your hands than it will make them feel comfortable; so
theyknow that they are in good care. 7. Skills RequiredPhysical
fitness and health-The practice of dentistry can be very tiring
both physically as wellas mentally. It is therefore important to be
fit and healthy, as theeyes, hands and back can all be strained.
The reasons for thisinclude that youre constantly standing. 8.
Secondary School CoursesHigh School courses no high school courses
are actually needed to getinto dentistry. However it can be
beneficial to take some or most of thefollowing:University Physics
(The reason University physics is importantis because once you get
to University you will be taking sciencecourses as most of your
courses and university physics can helpyou get prepared for that.
However it is not required.)University Chemistry The reason
University chemistry isimportant is because once you get to
University you will betaking science courses as most of your
courses and universityChemistry can help you get prepared for that.
However it is notrequired.)University Biology The reason University
Biology is important isbecause once you get to University you will
be taking sciencecourses as most of your courses and university
Biology can helpyou get prepared for that. However it is not
required.)University Math (The reason University Math is important
isbecause once start to get into advanced Science, then you willbe
using math for all of the courses; even biology.)University English
(The reason University English is important isbecause first of all:
English is a compulsory course in grade 11and doing University
level English can help you prepare yourselffor lab reports (a lab
report is where you write the discoveriesthat you made when doing a
certain experiment.) that you willhave to write once you get into
University.) 9. Marks Required for PostSecondaryWhen going into
post secondary in order to become a dentist, yourmark does not
really matter. The reason for this is because you canget an
admission into dentistry school by majoring in almost allscience
related courses. However, it is recommended that you have85% or
over in what ever course you will be majoring in, inUniversity. 10.
Type of EducationDentists are licensed professionals who provide
oral health careand preventative treatment to patients. Becoming a
dentist beginswith completion of a science-related undergraduate
degreeprogram. Aspiring dentists then attend dental school to earn
aDoctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine
(DMD).Graduates of dental programs are required to earn
provincelicensure to practice in the profession. 11. Type of
EducationThere are initially 2 different types of education you
need in orderto become a dentist.Step 1: Earn a Bachelors DegreeNo
specific undergraduate major is required for students
pursuingdental school; however, many dental schools require
thatapplicants complete science courses, such as chemistry,
physics,mathematics and biology. For this reason, a bachelors
degree ineither biology or chemistry provides sufficient
preparation forcontinued study in a dental program.Step 2: Complete
a Dental Degree ProgramThis includes getting accepted into a dental
school and trying tograduate from that school with high marks.
After graduating fromthis school you will have some type of degree,
either: Doctor ofDental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine
(DMD). 12. Length of EducationTo become a dentist, you will have to
attend university for about 4years, possibly more before applying
to dental school. Every dentalschool has specific requirements. You
should check with each thatyou are interested in. For example, for
UWO, physics, organicchemistry and other credits are required. For
Toronto, the courserequirements are very few. In any case, getting
good grades is amust. It would be best to take science courses to
keep your optionsopen. If you do get into dental school, it is a 4
year program.Therefore, it will take 8 years to become a dentist at
the least; butcan also become over 10 years if you take your time
and take extracourses to help improve your overall GPA (grade point
Average). 13. Cost Per YearUniversity of AlbertaThe estimated costs
for students entering the DDS program are asfollows:Tuition/COF and
Non-Instructional Year Fees Kit Fees1$21,311.92 $7,230 2
$21,311.92$9,661 3 $21,311.92$2,785 4 $18,548.08$3,000Dalhousie
UniversityDegree Program Program FeePer Course FeeDentistry
Dentistry 16,509 784.80 14. Cost Per YearTufts
UniversityD.M.D.PROGRAMFirst Year Second Year Third Year Fourth
YearTuition $61,920 $61,920$61,920 $61,920Dental Kit4,150 3,275
120-Sterilization Charge3,400 3,4003,400 3,400Preclinical
Supplies1,200 1,300- -Fixed Prostho Lab Kit -600 - -Technology Fee
302 302302 302Activity Fee 244 244244 244Health Insurance3,360
3,3603,360 3,360Health Administrative214 214214 214FeeDisability
Insurance Fee5151 5151Clinic Gown Fee -286570 570Total Billed Costs
*$74,841 $74,952$70,181 $70,061Books and Supplies1,450
**2,210**3,810 **300Living Expenses ***21,00025,200
25,20018,900Total Cost of $97,291 $102,362 $99,191 $89,261Education
As you can see, the price of dentistry school can range from a very
wide price 15. Types of TrainingThere arent any specific courses
you need to take every year orany work placement you need to take
every year. However, indentistry school you can work as an
internship in order to gaintraining and experience. This does not
happen all throughout dentalschool but does happen on some of your
later years. This not onlyhelps you personally but also makes a
good impression on otherswhen you are applying for different things
because they will knowthat you have some sort of experience. 16.
Other RequirementsThe requirements needed in order to complete the
dentistryprogram include finishing your undergrad to earn a
bachelorsdegree. Then you must write and pass the DAT (Dental
AptitudeTest) with good scores in order to get into a dental
school. Thereason for this is because in dental schools they dont
just look atyour overall GPA but also look at your scores on the
DAT. The betteryour scores; the better your chances of getting into
a dentistryschool. You must also write and pass a provincial
dentistry test anda national dentistry test written after your
completion of dentistryschool. This allows you to be recognized as
a legal dentist and youare now able to start helping patients.
However, whenever youmove from one province to another; you will
then have to write theprovincial dentistry test for that
province/territory as well. 17. Experience RequiredYou gain your
dental experience all throughout dental school whichtakes 4 years
to finish. In the school they help prepare you, so thatyou can
become a dentist and can work under any situation; evenwhile under
pressure. However it is also recommended that you getextra
experience if you want by getting a job as working under
thesupervision of a dentist, during the last 2 years of dental
school.This allows you to gain experience treating patients. And
can helpprepare you even further for when you start your own clinic
and getpatients of your own. 18. SalaryOn an annual basis the mean
Dentist wage is $161,750. The lowest10% earn less than $75,000 per
year while the upper 10% earnmore than $187,000 per year. These
salaries are calculated as amean or average.Lowest and Highest
Dentist SalaryThe lowest paid Dentists earn less than $100,000
annually whilethe highest paid Dentists earn over $240,000 per
year.Private Practice vs. EmploymentStatistics show there are over
157,000 dentists in private practiceearning an average net salary
just over $180,000 per year as of2011. Over half of all the
dentists are self-employed or in a privatepractice setting;
Showing, that you can make average dentistsalary even if you are
self-employed. 19. LowHigh AverageWage Wage Location $$$Yearper
hrper hr per hrCalgary - Alberta*26.40 89.76169.23 2011 Edmonton
-26.40 89.76169.23 2011 Alberta* Vancouver and Lower Mainland32.89
52.9262.092001Southwest - BritishColumbiaWinnipeg -29.33
59.6673.372009ManitobaFredericton - New52.00
-84.002009BrunswickHalifax - Nova46.28 60.0971.512010Scotia
Stratford / BrucePeninsula - -188.62-2005 OntarioOttawa - Ontario-
43.30-2005Muskoka /Kawarthas /-100.65-2005 Peterborough - Ontario
London /Woodstock Area -- 60.6383.722006 OntarioPrince Edward- --
-Island 20. Benefit/PensionThere are no benefits or pension
prospects because you work foryourself and therefore there is
nobody to give you he benefits ornobody that you need to pay a
fixed amount of money to. However,even though you dont get any
benefits; it is helpful that you areable to do dental practices to
people you know for free such asyour children. This way you are
saving money and it is consideredas a benefit by some people.
However, overall there is no benefit orpension. 21. RisksRisks of
becoming a dentist: a. Every once in a while you will get a patient
who does not know how to clean his teeth or simply does not care
to. These types of patients usually only come to see a dentist in
an emergency situation, so you get to see them at their dental
worst.b. As a hazard of the profession,dentists are often required
tohunch or bend over to work on a patient for a long period of
time.After doing this for several years,you can imagine what kind
of backand neck paid it might cause. 22. Risksc. As with most types
of medical practices, there is usually a gooddeal of blood
involved. Making skin contact with someone elsesblood can sometimes
result in the contraction of a disease orillness. Dentists
typically wear gloves and face masks, butaccidents still occur.d.
If you are not very good at running a business or have no ideahow
to; you will have a lot of problems attracting patients andmaking a
profit from your clinic.e. The cost for dental school can be well
over $100,000 by the timeyou graduate. Add this to the cost of
undergraduate school, andyou can have a bill that approaches a
quarter of a million dollars.This amount of debt can be a real
challenge, because the loanpayments can be more than a mortgage
payment. New dentistshave a couple of options forpracticing: They
can build or buy apractice or they can buy into apractice as a
partner. Both optionsare extremely costly and couldexceed a million
dollars. 23. Labour Marketa. There are currently over 8,700
dentists in Ontario. Employmentfor this occupation is expected to
grow more rapidly than theaverage for all occupations in the
immediate future. More jobopenings will be created each year from
the need to replacedentists who retire.b. Several factors influence
the demand for dental services:population growth, improvements in
oral hygiene that allow elderlypeople to keep their teeth longer,
and public awareness of theimportance of dental health. In
addition, as the baby boom ages, alarge number of the population
will need maintenance oncomplicated dental work. The nature of
dentistry is also changingwith a greater emphasis on cosmetic
procedures.c. A 2004 survey estimated that 58% of the profession in
Ontariopractised in the City of Toronto. Toronto, therefore, is a
highlycompetitive market and applicants should consider practising
inareas outside of this concentrated area. 24. Current
ProspectsDentists currently are making a lot of money and are able
to live asuccessful and happy life. The average dentist gets more
than 10patients a day which can really bring in a lot of money
since it isquite expensive to get your teeth repaired. Dentists
also have a lotof free time since they are running their own
business and cancontrol what they are doing.Future ProspectsIn the
future it is predicted that dentists will bemaking a much larger
amount of profit andtheir business will be booming. The reason
forthis is because the population will be going upand also since
many of the baby booms willstart to get older; they will need to
get theirteeth checked up on much often; allowing thedentists to
have more patients. However, eventhough this means that dentists
will be makingmore money, it also means that they will be having
less free time asthey will most likely always be busy with their
customers. 25. Typical DayMost dentists do not have the same
typical work day as each other.The main reason for this is because
since most dentists start theirown business, they pick how many
hours they want to work for.However this is how the typical day of
a dentist would be like: 26. GoalsThere are many goals that must be
set in order to accomplish inthis field. A lot of these goals have
to do with your loans fromUniversity and Dental equipment. Making
goals such as I will try topay off all of my loans within two
years: is a type of goal almost alldentists make, and is a very
important goal as well. Since, withoutthis goal you might end up in
an even bigger debt and can startlosing money instead of gaining.
Also goals related to studying canhelp you become more successful
in this field such as I will finishthis chapter by 7:00 goals like
this help keep you timely and canhelp manage you making studying a
easier and more helpful. 27. Related Occupationsa. Dental
hygienist- An ancillarydental worker specializing in scalingand
polishing teeth and in givingadvice on cleaning the teeth.b.
Veterinarian- A person qualified totreat animalsc. Nurse- A person
trained to care forthe sick or infirm, esp. in a hospital.d.
Obstetrician- A physician or surgeon qualified to practice in
thebranch of medicine and surgery concerned with child birth.e.
Dermatologist- a doctor who specializes in the physiology
andpathology of the skin.f. Urologist- a specialist in urology. 28.
ConclusionDentists are people that treat diseases and conditions
that affectteeth and gums. The become dentists by going to school
for a verylong period of time after high school which includes 4
years ofgetting your bachelors degree and 4 years of dentistry
school.Once you become pass the school you will have to write
aprovincial and federal test giving you license to become a
dentist.Dentists make an average of $161 000 dollars a year in
Canada andare usually employed by themselves. Dentists are
currently makinga good living while being able to work for how many
hours theywant and this will continue to happen I the future with
even morebenefits. However, there are a few risks like getting
infections fromother patients or having a bad business. However,
even thought youdont become a dentist there are still a few other
jobs you could tryfor.
