In the field of Dentistry there are professions that can be specialized as well as generalized, such as: Dental Public Health: Pertaining to the dental health of large populations. Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Relating pathology with the dental health of

individuals. Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Use imaging technology to diagnose the head and

neck. Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Work on mouth, gums, teeth, jaws, neck and head. Orthodontics/ Dentofacial Orthopaedics:

Work on the straightening teeth with devices.

Endodontics: Perform root canal therapy Periodontics : Treat bones and gums of teeth. Pediatric dentistry: Treating children and special needs patients.

Prosthodontists: Incorporate the use of prosthetic teeth.

In the field of Dentistry, salaries vary depending on many factors!The following table is provided from U.S. Department of Labor.

Table 1

General Employment Employment Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage

Numeric Value 4,770 $68.30 $142,070

Table 2

Industry Employment Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage

Offices of Dentists 2,280 $83.15 $172,950

Federal Executive Branch (OES designation)

1,670 $66.38 $138,060

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

70 $37.02 $77,000

Associate-Employed Dentist Benefits Self-Employed Dentist Benefits

Health insurance provided Accountable

Malpractice insurance provided Accountable

Life insurance Accountable

Retirement plans Accountable

401K Accountable

Occupational Title Employment, 2008Projected

Employment, 2018

Change,2008-18

Number Percent

Dentists 141,900 164,000 22,100 16

Dentists, general 120,200 138,600 18,400 15

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons 6,700 7,700 1,000 15

Orthodontists 7,700 9,200 1,500 20

Prosthodontists 500 700 100 28

Dentists, all other specialists 6,900 7,900 1,000 15

    NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.

Degree Requirements to get into dentistry schools:

Bachelor in ScienceThen, “apply to one of the 57 dental schools … [that are] accredited by

the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation. (2)”

A test will be administered prior to acceptance, known as the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).

After four years in Dental school, the prospective dentist will be awarded with a degree of either a:

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Table 1 shows four year colleges in the tri-state area of NYC, that have pre-dentistry programs. These schools will help students navigate towards acceptance in dentistry schools.

Table 1

4 year college Location College Board code

Touro College NewYork,  New York 2902

Wagner College Staten Island,  New York 2966

Table 2 shows dental schools accredited by ADA in the tri state areaTable 2

Dental Schools granting DDS and DMD degrees Location

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine 325 Squire Hall; 3435 Main StreetBuffalo, NY 14214-3008

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine 630 West 168th StreetPH7 East Room 122New York, NY 10032

New York University College of Dentistry 345 East 24th StreetNew York, NY 10010

State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine Health Sciences Center;154 Rockland HallStony Brook, NY 11794-8700

An aspiring dentist should have a strong background in science, work hard and

display this performance through their GPA.

According to the occupational outlook handbook from the bureau of labor statistics “Dentists should have good visual memory; excellent judgment regarding space, shape, and color; a high degree of manual dexterity; and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills are helpful for success in private practice.(3)”

In order to be a fully functioning dentist this is what will be needed:

→ A degree of 2 to 4 years of post grad education from an accredited dental school.

→ Special State Examinations such as:

→ Written examination administered by the state or,

It can also be completed by passing the National Board of Dental Examinations → Practical examination by the state

There are many opportunities for advancement

Programs by Dental SchoolsFor researchFor teaching

Programs by HospitalsFor research

Personal AdvancementsWorking in an

establishmentOpening up own practice

Companies / Organizations that offer jobs in this field:Academy of CAD/CAM Dentistry (ACCD)Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE)Academy of Computerized Dentistry of North America (ACDNA)Academy of Dental Materials (ADM)American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (AAMP)New York State Dental Foundation (NYSDF)National Museum of Dentistry (NMD)

Association Location SiteAmerican Dental Association Chicago, IL www.ada.org

American Association of Endodontists Chicago, IL www.aae.org

American Association of Public Health Dentistry Springfield, IL www.aaphd.org

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Evans, GA www.aaomr.org

American Dental Education Association Washington, DC www.adea.org

American Academy of Prosthodontists Chicago, IL www.prosthodontics.org

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Dentists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm (visited January 26, 2010).

“Major: Predentistry” CollegeBoard. The College Board, 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2010. http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/51.1101.html

“DDS/DMD Programs - U.S.” American Dental Association . American Dental Association, 2009. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp

“Academic Societies and Professional Organizations” Dr Bicuspid. DrBiscuspid, 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2010. http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.asp?sec=lin&sub=def&Pag=def&bc=152x226&srt=A1&pg=N1