Becoming a Dentist
There are a lot of things to love about becoming a dentist. For one, it’s a great way to help people improve their oral health and feel better about their smile. It’s also a stable career with good earning potential. But becoming a dentist isn’t all sunshine and roses. There can be some challenges, too. Here’s a look at the best and worst things about being a dentist.
1. Help People Improve Oral Health
One of the best things about beginning a career as a dentist is that you get to help people improve their oral health. This can have a profound impact on someone’s life. It can help them feel better about themselves, boost their self-esteem, and improve their overall health. This is why a dental office is such a positive place to be around.
2. Stable Career with Good Earning Potential
Career stability and earning potential are two important factors to consider when choosing a profession. Dentistry offers both. It’s a stable career that is in high demand. And dentists earn a good salary. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for dentists was $159,770 in May 2019.
3. Work with Your Hands and be Creative
Another great thing about becoming a dentist is that you get to work with your hands and be creative. You get to use your creativity to help people achieve beautiful smiles. Not everyone is able to sit at a computer and look at a screen all day. Although, there is nothing wrong with that, it’s just not for everyone. But keep in mind that becoming a dentist means you’ll need to embrace technology and use it to your advantage.
4. Becoming a Dentist is a Rewarding Career
Last but not least, becoming a dentist is a rewarding career. It’s gratifying to know that you are making a difference in people’s lives and helping them improve their oral health.
And Some Challenges Also
Of course, becoming a dentist isn’t all sunshine and roses. There can be some challenges, too. For one, it’s a demanding career. You’ll have to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques. You’ll also need to be able to handle the stress that comes with being responsible for people’s oral health.
1. Lots of Schooling To Becoming a Dentist
Another downside of beginning a career as a a dentist is that it requires a lot of schooling. It typically takes eight years of education to become a dentist. This includes four years of undergraduate school, followed by four years of dental school.
2. Expensive
The cost of becoming a dentist can be another downside. Dental school is expensive. The average cost of tuition and fees at a private dental school was $59,585 in 2018-2019, according to the American Dental Association. And that’s not even taking into account the cost of living expenses and other associated costs.
3. Dealing with Insurance Companies
If you become a dentist, you’ll need to deal with insurance companies. This can be a challenge, as insurance companies can be difficult to work with. They may not always reimburse you for the services you provide or they may not cover certain procedures.
5. Work Long Hours
Another potential downside of becoming a dentist is that you may have to work long hours. This is especially true if you own your own practice. You may find yourself working evenings and weekends to accommodate your patients’ schedules.
Are You Going to be Becoming a Dentist?
All in all, becoming a dentist has its pros and cons. It’s a rewarding career that offers stable employment and good earning potential. But it’s also a demanding career that requires a lot of schooling and can be expensive. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons to decide if becoming a dentist is right for you.