Healthy teeth and a bright smile will make you feel years younger. In most cases, we need to thank our dentists not only for treating our physical appearance but so much more.
These highly trained medical specialists have a long history behind them and have been working for us since the days of the Middle Ages. Today the clinic of a dentist is a place of modern equipment, the best dental practices, and a team of other specialists.
The dentist is one of the highest-paying professions in the USA mainly because it requires many years of practice and dedication.
For dentists in the USA to achieve a high standard of clinical practice, they must go over 4 years of education programs that consist of in-class, pre-clinical, and clinical instruction.
The dentist faces the specialization of medical practice that is present in all of the therapeutic areas. He can choose to go ahead and undergo a post-graduate program that can take up to 6 years to complete. After the program is finished, a dentist will be able to perform maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, or even pediatric surgery.
After almost 8 years of learning, studying and practicing, we can clearly see why dental surgeons have a high-salary job in the USA.
Pursuing a career in dentistry can be very challenging for many people due to the high costs of education that are rising from year to year.
However, if you really love the dentistry industry, the job as a dentist will be worth it in the long run.
What Are The Primary Responsibilities Of A Dentist?
A dentist is a practitioner or specialist in the field of dentistry that is responsible for the treatment and overall health of the teeth, gums, and mouth.
Dentists treat diseases or injuries that occur in the mouth of the patient. They also examine x-rays of the teeth to identify any underlying problems in the mouth and help the person correct those issues.
Most dentists also provide additional dental care, such as:
- filling cavities,
- repairing broken teeth,
- strengthening crooked teeth,
- placing sealants when needed, etc.
Dentists can specialize in dental public health (general dentists) that are responsible for regular teeth cleanings and routine dental exams, or they can specialize in specific dental fields such as:
- Orthodontist (responsible for teeth and alignment of the jaw using wires, braces, retainers, etc.)
- Pedodontist (or sometimes called Pediatric Dentist – responsible for children’s dental care and treatments)
- Endodontist (responsible for the nerve of a tooth and performing root canals)
- Periodontist (responsible for treating and repairing diseases and problems of the gums)
- Prosthodontist (responsible for repairing teeth and jawbones, but also for improving the appearance of the teeth – such as teeth whitening)
- Oral Pathologist (responsible for the treatment of oral diseases of the teeth and jaw. Here also belong Oral Surgeons that are trained to perform surgery.)
Dentists must complete a bachelor’s degree and go through 4 years of dental schooling to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DMD), which allows them to practice. However, for those seeking further accreditation in the specific fields mentioned above, 2-3 more years for specialization would be required.
Most dentists, when they receive their degree are usually self-employed, working full time and building up their own dental clinic with their own practices. But being self-employed means they will need a start-up investment for equipment and helping staff (such as secretaries and dental hygienists)
What Is The Average Salary For Dentists In The USA?
The average salary for a Dentist is $144/year (as of 2022). The total cash earnings for the dentists range from $96K to $209K on the high end.
Base Salary | $96k - $209k |
Bonus | $970 - $51k |
Profit Sharing | $340 - $116k |
Commission | $5k - $51k |
Total Pay | $97k - $224k |
Why Dentist Is The Best Paid Job In America?
There is a reason dentists have one of the best-paying careers in the USA. This is due to the fact that in order to help others, they must train and learn intensely to achieve a high level of clinical practice.
As with other medical professions that imply the human body, dentists also carry a great deal of responsibility. There is little room for error when talking about the health of patients. An excellent dental surgeon will keep your mouth and teeth healthy and make sure you understand the implications of being ill.
Prevention is critical, and in almost 99% of the cases, it’s easier to prevent a mouth disease than to treat one. That is why a dentist’s job is very hard and thus, the dental surgeon occupies a spot in the top 10 jobs in the USA.
It is clear to anybody that if you can help others, you will feel fulfilled. As a dentist, you will have the privilege of curing illnesses and helping patients overcome health problems.
There is almost no limit when it comes to how old or how young you are supposed to be to pay a visit to the dentist. Having the possibility to work with children, adults, and older people is a great reward.
Final Words
Dentists in the USA have one of the best-paying jobs in America, and they use it to bring a smile to people’s faces. One of the greatest ways to serve people is to keep them healthy so they can enjoy life, a dentist’s mission is precisely that.