A Closer Look At Dentist Salary For Professional Practice

If you want to help people keep their teeth and mouths healthy, then becoming a dentist may fit your desires. The educational requirements are rather lengthy compared to becoming a dental hygienist; however, you have more options like opening your own practice. Not to mention, a dentist salary is quite high when you think of other professionals in dental healthcare and the medical field in general.

A dentist is the person who examines people’s teeth and gums. He or she also determines the appropriate course of action to treat oral health issues like cavities, tooth fractures, and gum disease. The dentist also provides patient education, so these individuals leave his or her office with knowledge regarding how to take care of their teeth.

A dentist is the person who examines people’s teeth and gums. He or she also determines the appropriate course of action to treat oral health issues like cavities, tooth fractures, and gum disease. The dentist also provides patient education, so these individuals leave his or her office with knowledge regarding how to take care of their teeth.

Dentists also administer pain and anxiety-relief measures before procedures as well as prescribe antibiotics. Although a dentist doesn’t usually perform the X-rays on a person’s teeth and mouth, this person is responsible for reading the results in order to diagnose oral health issues.

Some other dental procedures a dentist performs include making molds for dentures, placing caps on teeth, and potentially using lasers to correct health issues.

If you have your own practice, you also oversee administrative tasks, such as bookkeeping. Additionally, you may need to purchase equipment and supplies or hire someone to do so. The dentist of a private practice must hire and supervise the rest of the staff including the hygienists and receptionists.

In some cases, the dentist must provide referrals to other specialists. For instance, if a dentist believes a spot on a patient’s gums looks potentially cancerous, he or she may refer the patient to a specialist to have imaging done. Another time a dentist may refer a patient is when the person has a tooth misalignment since orthodontists specialize in braces and other forms of misalignment corrections. In cases of severe gum disease, a patient must seek the assistance of a periodontist.

According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dentists held approximately 153,500 jobs in the United States in 2016. Some of these professionals were general dentists who were part of a multipractictioner office while others owned their own practice. Some dentists specialize in oral surgery, orthodontics, or prosthodontics.

A majority of dentists are part of a multipractitioner practice. In fact, the BLS states 71 percent of dentists worked in offices with other dentists. Only 19 percent of dentists had their own practice while seven percent worked in outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, or through the government.

Before you can open your own practice, you must complete your required education to become a dentist.

When you’re still in high school, you should take courses in biology, anatomy, chemistry, and physics. You may want to look into the undergraduate program you want to complete because they may have specific prerequisites.

Undergraduate school is necessary to apply to dental school. Typically, you need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter into dental school. A standard bachelor’s degree program takes four years to complete, although you can complete it sooner if you take an accelerated program.

Although dental schools don’t require a specific major, you want to opt for a science-related field such as biology. Often, dental schools prefer applicants who major in a science-related subject, and it makes dental school easier for you. Before you decide on your major, you should research the dental school you want to attend’s requirements since some schools may require you to have a specific major.

Although dental schools don’t require a specific major, you want to opt for a science-related field such as biology. Often, dental schools prefer applicants who major in a science-related subject, and it makes dental school easier for you. Before you decide on your major, you should research the dental school you want to attend’s requirements since some schools may require you to have a specific major.

During your time at dental school, you will complete coursework related to anatomy, periodontics, radiology, anesthesiology, and oral health in general. Part of your education consists of working under the supervision of a licensed dentist as well. Total, your clinicals and coursework take four years to complete, meaning you can expect to attend school for eight years.

After you complete dental school, you usually have to complete a residency program, which lasts anywhere between two to four years. The specific requirements for your residency vary from state to state and whether you want to specialize in a particular area of dentistry.

You need certain licensure to become a dentist, although the requirements vary based on your state and specialty. In all states though, you need to complete dental school in an accredited school before sitting for the examination. All dentists must pass the written and practical examination administered by the National Board Dental Examinations. Additionally, if you want to specialize in orthodontics, you need to apply for additional certifications.

If you want to earn a dentist salary for having your own practice, you must take the necessary steps after dental school to do so. Because your education alone costs an average of over $200,000, you may want to start working in an already-established practice first to earn money to start paying off your loans and cover the expenses of opening your own practice. Generally, it costs about $500,000 to rent a building and bring it up to code for a dental office, as reported by USA Today.

You then may want to consult with industry professionals to help you when your practice is in its early stage. You might also want to have a financial advisor to guide you financially during the process.

Although you have expenses like paying employees and for all of your office supplies, you have the potential to earn more than a dentist who is part of a multipractitioner practice. This is due to the fact that you don’t have to split your income between multiple dentists.

Your location affects your dentist salary as well, so you must research and find the areas where dentists make the most and also position your practice at a prime spot in that location. If you specialize, you tend to make more money as well since the cost of your treatments is usually higher than those of a standard dentist.

Out of all the places where dentists work, those in dental offices make the most, besides those who work in specialized institutions for the disabled or who have mental or substance abuse issues. Those who work in their own practice or alongside other dentists earn an average dentist salary of $176,630 per year. The next top earners work with the government where the average dentist salary is $167,200 per year.

The states where the most jobs include California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. However, none of those states make the list of the top-paying states. Delaware is the state where the average dentist salary is the highest. There, dentists earn an average of $257,290 per year, which is the same as $123.70 per hour.

The next highest paying state is North Dakota. Dentists there earn an average of $238,170 annually or $114.51 per hour. Dentists in Alaska make an average of $237,140 per year.

The dentist salary is quite high, and the job opportunities for dentists, including those who want to open their own practice, will grow by 19 percent from 2016 until 2026. This rate is much higher than the average occupation. The BLS projects this growth as a result of the aging population. Not to mention, dental care is becoming known as a vital aspect of your health.

With a dentist salary remaining high and the ever-growing demand for dentists, you may want to consider going to dental school and opening your own practice. You’ll benefit people’s lives while being in control of your financial future.