A Guide to Dental Schools
If you’re stuck pondering over new career options, why not consider dental school ? There are numerous institutions across the united states which offer training to work within this lucrative field such as community-level programs like dental hygenist school and dental assistant school as well as 57 full-time dental schools . A
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Nearly all dental college degrees within the united states are five-year programs; within the European union it is required by law that all dental degree programs take at least 5 years to complete. Following the completion of the degree, the student is awarded with a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) DDM (Doctor of Dental Medicine) BDENT (Bachelor of Dentistry) or BDSc (Bachelor of Dental Science) depending on the program undertaken.
There are also nine officially recognized specializations for dental degrees within the united states and Canada, including but not limited to: Dental Public Health, Endodontic/Root Canal Therapy, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Pediatric Dentistry, and Orthodontics. These specializations offer valuable additional training, and may require additional coursework or a secondary degree. Most of the specialized degrees lead to independent practice, or work within a large hospital system as a specialist.
In the current recession, dentistry is a great option for a new career. According to the U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2008-2009; job prospects within dentistry are favorable, with a large number of dentists expected to retire within the next decade, and a general trend of growth. As of 2006 the median annual income for salaried dentists was $136,960. Furthermore, nearly all salaried positions within dentistry come with benefits including dental insurance and malpractice insurance. Job growth across all fields within dentistry is expected to continue growing steadily for a number of years to come. If you can endure the requisite post-secondary schooling, you can set yourself up for a promising and secure life-long career.
