7 Steps to Becoming a Cosmetic Dentist

There are several dental specializations, and picking one that fits with your interests and qualifications could help you progress professionally and find personal fulfillment. Highly educated specialists that help individuals enhance their smiles are cosmetic dentists. If you're considering this specialty, learning more about the road to cosmetic dentistry could help you achieve your professional objectives. This blog describes the duties of these dentists, provide information on how to become one, and provide pay and employment outlook data for this field.

What does a cosmetic dentist do?

Cosmetic dentists are medical professionals who help patients repair visual imperfections in their teeth gums to achieve their aesthetic goals. These professionals examine patients' mouths for areas to correct, diagnose dental issues, advise patients on proper oral hygiene and strategies for at-home cosmetic care and perform treatments and surgeries. Here are some of the responsibilities cosmetic dentists often fulfill:

• Whiten teeth using bleaching solutions and laser technology
• Recommend at-home whitening products to maintain effects
• Apply veneers to teeth to mask gaps or breaks
• Input crowns to minimize the visibility of tooth decay
• Replace severely damaged teeth with dental implants
• Take images and X-rays of patients' teeth and gums for diagnostic purposes
• Coordinate with orthodontists to create a plan to straighten crooked teeth

Work environment for a cosmetic dentist

Cosmetic dentists often work in private practices, servicing a rotating roster of clients. Outside of dental offices, these professionals could also work in clinics, hospitals schools, in rehabilitation centers or on military bases. A background in cosmetic dentistry could also qualify you to work in medical research or pharmaceutical sales. Cosmetic dentists typically work independently, though they do collaborate with dental hygienists and orthodontists. These professionals are typically dexterous and have ample physical stamina, as they use a variety of tools, machines and fluids to perform detail-oriented work.

How to become a cosmetic dentist

Here's a step-by-step guide that you could follow if you want to become a cosmetic dentist:

1. Complete your high school education

Before you can pursue training in dentistry, it's essential to finish high school. Dental school can be rigorous, so it might be helpful to helpful to develop effective study habits early. Courses like biology, anatomy and chemistry could prepare for some of the demand of the profession.

2. Succeed in a bachelor's degree program

Next, plan to attend a four-year bachelor's degree program and study a relevant field like biology, anatomy or biochemistry. It might be helpful to inform your academic counselor that you hope to become a dentist. You might be able to customize your course schedule to ensure you're fulfilling prerequisites for dental school. Many dental schools expect candidates to have impressive academic transcripts, so aim to keep a high GPA.

3. Apply to dental school

To work as a cosmetic dentist, it's vital to attend an accredited dentistry program. Dental schools expect candidates to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a 280-question exam that quizzes you on scientific expertise, reasoning skills and reading comprehension. When applying to schools, you can expect to submit your college transcript, your DAT scores, a personal essay, proof of 100 hours of job shadowing in a dental environment and letters of recommendation from qualified contacts.

4. Earn your doctorate degree

To work as a cosmetic dentist, it's vital to attend a reputable program to earn either a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.) or a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.). Dental school typically takes four years to complete, and in these programs you may study topics like anesthesia, oral pathology, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery. During the first half of dental school, students typically take courses in a classroom setting. The second half typically focuses on practical experience in a clinical environment.

5. Consider additional education

After earning your D.D.S. or D.D.M., many professionals pursue additional training to further refine their capabilities. You could attend a two-year post-doctoral program to develop more advanced dentistry skills. You could also pursue a fellowship in aesthetic dentistry to gain hands-on experience with the procedures cosmetic dentists typically perform and the technologies they use on a daily basis. You might also pursue additional courses through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

6. Get a license and accreditation

All states require dentists to hold a state license to practice professionally, so it's crucial to stay compliant. Research your local regulations to learn how you can earn and keep an active license. Aspiring cosmetic dentists can also pursue accreditation from AACD to further validate their qualifications. To earn this credential, plan to take a set of required workshops, pass a written test and an oral test and submit proof of clinical cases.

7. Apply for jobs

Once you have your credentials, you can begin pursuing employment. There are many dental practices that focus on aesthetics. You may also be able to find a job at a general dental practice while specializing in cosmetic procedures like whitening, veneers and implants. When writing your resume and cover letter, it might be helpful to emphasize your capabilities with cosmetic dentistry tools and technology. Mentioning experience with diode lasers, digital imaging and same-day restoration techniques could benefit you.

Salary and job outlook for cosmetic dentists

While specific salary information for cosmetic dentists is unavailable, the average annual salary for dentists of all kinds is $178,364 per year. Individual salaries can vary based on your location, experience and employer. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that jobs for dentists may grow about 8% over the decade, which is about as fast as average across all occupations. According to the BLS, due aging populations, there may be an increase in demand for services like dental implants and bridges, which cosmetic dentists typically provide.

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