There are various careers in the dentistry area, which involves taking care of patients' mouths and gums. Numerous dentistry professions offer rewarding chances to help others maintain their oral health and enhance the beauty of their smiles. Finding out more about the compensation, responsibilities, and educational requirements for these roles may help you in your job search. In this blog, we examine some of the most alluring and satisfying occupations in the dental industry and give further details about each one's education requirements and income.
Why work in the dental field?
A career in the dental field allows you to engage with other people while helping them feel more comfortable in a setting that can cause some discomfort and concern. Many patients worry about visiting the dentist, so being able to offer support and resources that allow them to feel better while improving their oral health provides fulfillment for those who choose this career path. The dental industry is also part of the growing healthcare industry, which ensures promising job prospects.
Types of dental jobs
Those who enjoy working with people and providing dental care can find fulfilling and appealing positions in this industry. Here are eight popular jobs available in the dental field, ranging from lowest to highest earning potential:
1. Medical biller
National average salary: $35,246 per year
Primary duties: A medical biller works in a dental office to calculate and collect payments for the procedures and treatments performed by the dentist and other staff. The primary duties include updating patient information, preparing invoices, submitting bills to insurance companies, collecting payments, investigating claims that insurance companies deny and applying insurance payments to patient accounts. Medical billers make sure they bill all treatments and procedures accurately and quickly.
Education requirements: A medical biller often has a high school diploma, and some dental offices require those in this position to have at least a few years of experience. A bachelor's degree in a related field may also be required, such as business, accounting or health care administration. However, experience in medical billing is generally acceptable in place of formal education.
2. Medical receptionist
National average salary: $38,967 per year
Primary duties: A medical office receptionist often handles basic clerical tasks in a dental office. These tasks include answering phones, scheduling appointments, greeting and checking in patients when they arrive, and maintaining the dental office's appearance, especially the front desk. Additionally, a medical receptionist often keeps patient data private and confidential in accordance with local and national laws.
Education requirements: To work as a medical receptionist, you often have a high school diploma or GED. Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology can also make it easier to get a job.
3. Dental assistant
National average salary: $69,057 per year
Primary duties: A dental assistant works alongside a dentist to perform patient care and assist with any needs the dentist has while performing procedures, treatments and exams. Dental assistants cannot perform the same tasks as licensed dental hygienists. Some of the most common duties include preparing the treatment room with tools and equipment, preparing patients for treatments by seating and draping them, answering patient questions, sterilizing tools, maintaining patient records, providing patient education, ensuring a clean and safe working environment and maintaining the inventory of supplies needed in the dental office.
Education requirements: To work in this position, it's a requirement to complete a dental assisting program through a community college, vocational school, university, dental school or technical institute. Most programs take nine to 11 months to complete, although some schools offer accelerated options.
4. Dental hygienist
National average salary: $85,447 per year
Primary duties: Dental hygienists provide preventive dental care to patients, including performing exams, cleaning teeth and educating on good oral hygiene practices. Other duties include polishing and removing plaque from teeth, reviewing and maintaining patient health records and using X-ray equipment to take images of the teeth and roots. In some states, a dental hygienist may be able to perform additional duties, such as removing stitches, administering anesthesia during minor dental procedures, working with metal components and sculpting filling materials to fill cavities in the teeth. Dental hygienists work under a licensed dentist.
Education requirements: Working as a dental hygienist requires the completion of a high school diploma, followed by a dental hygiene degree from an accredited university or college. Some dental hygienists have associate degrees, while others have bachelor's degrees—this often depends on the state in which the hygienist works.
5. Dentist
National average salary: $183,235 per year
Primary duties: Dentists diagnose and treat the mouth, including the gums, teeth and other related parts. The primary duties include performing examinations, analyzing X-rays and other images, diagnosing problems, developing treatment plans, filling cavities, removing teeth, placing permanent implants and crowns and performing other treatments and procedures on patients.
Education requirements: A dentist earns a bachelor's degree and graduates from an accredited dental school. Dental school takes four years to complete in a full-time program. After completing dental school, a dentist passes a clinical and written exam to become licensed, a requirement in all states in the United States.
6. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
National average salary: $195,163 per year
Primary duties: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical procedures on the soft and hard tissues of the patient's maxillofacial and oral regions of patients to treat injuries, diseases or defects. Other duties include administering local anesthetics, evaluating X-ray images to determine the position of the wisdom teeth and other teeth for removal and performing surgery that prepares the mouth for the placement of oral implants. Surgeons also remove damaged, impacted and non-restorable teeth, provide emergency treatment of injuries of the soft tissues of the face and oral region and move or remove skin, nerves, bones and other tissues from other body parts to restore function and form to the oral or facial region.
Education requirements: To become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the first step is to complete a bachelor's degree. The next step is graduating from an accredited dental school, then completing residency training which takes four to six years. The six-year program often involves earning a medical degree and receiving the training required to perform surgery. In all states, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon holds a current license, which requires the passing of a clinical and written exam. Many oral and maxillofacial surgeons also choose to become board certified, which they can do through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
7. Periodontist
National average salary: $223,031 per year
Primary duties: A periodontist diagnoses and treats the gums and bones that surround the jaw. Duties include placing implants, providing preventive care, developing patient treatment plans, performing tissue reductions or grafts, and providing surgical and non-surgical options to treat gum issues.
Education requirements: Like a dentist, a periodontist completes a bachelor's degree and graduates from an accredited dental school. After dental school, a periodontist also completes a residency program focusing on gum issues and diseases. All states require periodontists to hold current licensure, which involves passing clinical and written exams.
8. Orthodontist
National average salary: $287,449 per year
Primary duties: An orthodontist examines and provides treatment for anomalies in the oral cavity and dental malocclusions in patients. Orthodontists generally focus on straightening teeth and jaws through braces and retainers. Additional duties include analyzing X-ray images, developing treatment plans, studying patients' medical and dental histories, fitting patients with braces, retainers and other dental appliances and maintaining treatment records.
Education requirements: An orthodontist earns a bachelor's degree and graduates from an accredited dental school. After dental school, they need to earn a certification in orthodontics, which takes an additional three years. An orthodontist also holds a current license in the state where they practice.
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