Dental Field: Jobs To Think About Pursuing

Written By Kara Masterson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Dentistry is a field that is always looking for qualified candidates, but a dentist’s office does not consist of dentists alone. A full team must fulfill a patient’s dental needs, from the receptionist who checks the patient into specialists who might be called upon for advanced needs.

The following are five jobs in the dental field that you might consider pursuing.

Medical Receptionist

Not only does the receptionist manage typical clerical tasks, but this role is also responsible for maintaining patient privacy with potentially sensitive data. Receptionists make appointments, handle phone calls, and then greet patients and check them in when they arrive for the appointments.

Dental Assistant

Working alongside a dentist, the dental assistant in an office assists with dental procedures, exams, and treatments. An assistant is not the same as a dental hygienist. Assistants are not permitted to perform a hygienist’s tasks.

Rather, assistants prepare treatment rooms, prepare patients for treatments, answer questions, sterilize tools, and ensure a safe and clean working environment. Dental assistant training is less involved than that of the other roles working in the exam room.

Dental Hygienist

While the assistant requires only a year or so of education, a hygienist goes through a dental hygiene degree that is either an associate’s or a bachelor’s, depending on the state in which the hygienist wishes to work.

Dental hygienists provide patients with preventative care. They perform exams, clean teeth, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene practices. Hygienists also polish teeth and remove plaque, use X-ray equipment, and maintain the health records of patients.

Dentist

The main cog of any dental practice, the dentist diagnoses and treats the gums, teeth, and related parts of the mouth.

Primary duties of a dentist include the performance of examinations, analysis of X-rays and related oral imagery, diagnosis of problems, development of treatment plans, cavity filling, teeth removal, and placement of crowns and permanent implants.

Periodontist

Periodontists go through much the same education as dentists; this process is followed by the completion of a residency program focused on the diseases and issues of gums. Every state calls for current licensure.

Periodontists diagnose and treat the bones surrounding the jaw as well as the gums. They place implants, offer preventative care, develop treatment plans, perform tissue grafts or reductions, and provide non-surgical and surgical options alike in the treatment of gum problems.

A good dental practice is like a precision clockwork machine filled with equally essential parts. If you like helping people and have an interest in encouraging healthy oral care, a job in a dental practice may be right for you.

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Written By:
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.