Thinking about becoming a dentist? Becoming a dentist is not an easy career choice. In fact, it’s one of the most challenging, intense, and rewarding professions there is. Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating oral diseases like gingivitis, cavities, and periodontal disease. They also help patients who have lost their teeth because of decay or periodontal disease. Depending on your personal and professional interests, different types of dentistry may appeal to you more than others. There are several kinds of dental professionals out there: general dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, and dental hygienists. To find out if dentistry is for you, we’ve listed some pros and cons that come with this career below.
Pros of becoming a dentist
↪ Dentists have job security. As the population ages, more people will need dental care.
➤ The Dentists will be in high demand, especially general practitioners who can treat all types of patients.
↪ Dentists can help change patients’ lives for the better.
➤ Dentists not only treat patients’ oral diseases and replace lost teeth, but they can also improve oral health and confidence.
↪ Being a dentist is intellectually challenging. They solve problems every day, from diagnosing complex oral diseases to designing and fabricating dentures.
➤Dentists earn a lot of money. The average annual salary for a dentist is about $150,000.
Cons of being a dentist
↪ Dentists don’t get many days off.
➤ They work long hours, especially when they’re in private practice.
↪ Dentists work in a very uncomfortable environment.
➤ Some dental clinics and hospitals offer dentists shift work, which means they can choose to work nights and weekends.this
➤ Dentists treat patients who are in pain and don’t have many ways to help them feel better at the time.
↪ Dentists who work in a dental office may have to stand all day, which can cause back and leg pain.
➤ Sometimes, patients are disruptive, which can make the job even more stressful.
↪ Dentists face a lot of stress and pressure.
➤ Working in dentistry can be a stressful and demanding profession that requires an extraordinary amount of skill and attention to detail.
General dentistry is also dental care
Even though general dentists are not specialists, they provide all kinds of dental care. General dental practitioners examine patients’ mouths and teeth, take dental x-rays, clean teeth, fill cavities, extract teeth, and repair broken teeth. They also help patients with orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene, and other general care. General dentists can also administer local anesthesia and prescribe antibiotics when patients need it. In some cases, they can also make restorations such as crowns and fillings.
Orthodontics brings many changes for patients
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in correcting patients’ teeth and bites. Orthodontic treatment can be long and uncomfortable. Patients have to wear brackets, wires, or rubber bands on their teeth, which can be frustrating. Orthodontic treatment can also be very costly. But more than anything, orthodontic treatment involves changing the position of the patient’s teeth, which can be very uncomfortable. Patients may experience some pain and bleeding while the orthodontist realigns teeth. The treatment can also cause patients to experience a dry mouth and might take a long time to finish.
Periodontics helps patients manage chronic disease
Periodontists specialize in treating patients who have gum disease and other oral diseases. Unlike general dentists, periodontists can treat patients who have chronic diseases like diabetes, which may affect the gums and teeth. They can also treat children and adults who have had orthodontic treatment. Periodontists can treat patients with simple dental procedures like putting in a root-planing system, removing plaque and tartar (mineral deposits), and providing patients with antibiotics.
Endodontics Help! Or maybe not.
Endodontists specialize in treating patients with dental pulp diseases, which can be very painful. Some patients may have to get a root canal, which is a very painful procedure. The endodontist can numb the area with a local anesthetic and use a rubber plug to fill the hole in the tooth. However, root canals are not always successful. Sometimes, even the most experienced and skilled dentist can’t save a tooth.
Conclusion
Dentistry is a challenging and rewarding career option. Become a dentist and you will have a job with great security, intellectual fulfillment, and high pay. However, you must be prepared for long hours, intense pressure, and the possibility that a tooth may need to be extracted. If you enjoy working with people, helping them feel better, and like working with your hands, this might be the right career for you.
