A general dentist is a type of dentist with an emphasis on treating common oral health issues like cavities, gingivitis, and plaque. Because general dentists don’t specialize in any one area of dentistry, they are able to treat a wide range of patients. General dentists can work in private practices, clinics or hospitals. To become a general dentist, you’ll need to complete undergraduate prerequisites like chemistry, biology and anatomy. You’ll also need to graduate from dental school and complete an additional two years of training as a general dentist. Finding a career as a dentist requires some research, but it’s not impossible! If you want to practice general dentistry — here’s what you should know!
What does a day in the life of a general dentist look like?
As a general dentist, you’ll spend a lot of time examining, diagnosing and treating patients. After your initial exam, you’ll likely recommend an x-ray and oral cancer screenings, if necessary. General dentists often have multiple patients scheduled in one day, so you’ll need to be efficient and organized.
Dentists specialize in treating common dental health issues like cavities and plaque. If you work in a private practice, you’ll treat a range of patients from children to seniors. You’ll also help patients develop long-term dental care plans, which may include taking preventive measures like brushing and flossing regularly, receiving regular cleanings, and getting dental sealants. Dentists also need to be able to administer local anesthesia to patients and perform procedures like fillings and root canals.
The duties of a General Dentist!
Administer local anesthesia and perform dental procedures: General dentists perform a range of dental procedures like fillings and root canals. You may also be required to administer local anaesthesia to patients who need it.
Diagnose common dental issues: Dentists specialise in treating common dental problems, like cavities and plaque. You may be trained to diagnose a range of issues from gum disease to tooth decay.
Educate patients on dental health: General dentists are often tasked with educating their patients about prevention, like brushing and flossing regularly, receiving regular cleanings, and getting dental sealants.
Manage a dental practice: As a dental practice manager, you might be responsible for overseeing things like scheduling appointments, managing the business finances, and hiring staff.
Health benefits of being a general dentist
High salary: As a general dentist, you can expect a higher salary than dentists who specialize in a certain area of dentistry. The median annual salary for general dentists is approximately $156,000.
Flexible schedule: Because dentists don’t specialize in any one area of dentistry, they are able to treat a wide range of patients. This means you’ll have a flexible schedule and be able to accommodate working full-time or part-time.
Job security: There are a wide range of dental problems — such as cavities, gingivitis, and plaque — that everyone experiences. Because there is a constant need for dental care, general dentists are employed in all industries.
Low risk of work-related injury: General dentists are not exposed to the same level of risk as other health care professionals. You’ll spend most of your time in an office setting, which poses a low risk of injury.
Drawbacks to being a general dentist
While general dentistry offers a wide range of benefits, it also comes with a few drawbacks. These include:
Long hours: Dentists have long hours, often working more than 40 hours a week. You may be required to spend your lunch break seeing patients and working on administrative tasks.
Harder to find a job: There are a wide range of dental problems — such as cavities, gingivitis, and plaque — that everyone experiences. Because there is a constant need for dental care, dentists are employed in all industries.
Longer training period: You’ll need to complete a two-year residency program after graduating from dental school. This means you’ll complete your dental education after five to six years.
Conclusion
If you want to become a general dentist, there are a few things you should know about what it’s like working as one. General dentists spend a lot of time examining, diagnosing, and treating patients. You’ll also need to be efficient and organized since you usually have multiple patients scheduled in one day. General dentists specialize in treating common dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and plaque. You may also be required to administer local anesthesia and perform dental procedures like root canals and fillings. It can expect a higher salary than those who specialize in a certain area of dentistry.
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