You might be interested in a career as a Dentist if you're the sort of person who:
This highly-ethical, well-educated profession, which actively fosters a culture of ongoing learning and development specialising in the treatment of conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws and gums.
You will be involved in diagnosing and treating a diverse range of issues affecting a person's oral health, which is a reflection of the growing understanding that the health of a person's mouth, teeth and gums has a significant influence on their overall wellbeing.
Additionally, there is an increasing focus on preventive therapies over treatment, and on educating people so they are able to take an active role in the maintenance of their own oral health.
All of which means that practising as a dentist is a role that now encompasses a diverse range of activities, one that is growing year by year as advances in technology and biomedical research widen the scope of a dentist's role.
Reflective of the near-constant changes in the practise of dentistry, your day could include any one of the following activities, particularly if you are the owner or lead practitioner at a practice;
It's not an exhaustive list by any measure but it underscores how varied a typical day can be in the average practice.
The employment opportunities for a dentist are quite diverse.
While the majority of dentists work primarily in private practice, beginning as assistant dentists before either establishing their own practice or going into partnership with a colleague, there is a wide range of options available.
These include working in the public sector in places like hospitals, schools and health departments, in the Armed Forces, overseas with international aid agencies, and in teaching & research.
You also have the option of moving into a specialised area of dental expertise such as paedatric dentistry or orthodontics, which usually involves additional study and a demonstrated emphasis over a period of time in your chosen specialty.
Dentists are required to undertake the equivalent of five years of study to become qualified (the length of dentistry courses varies between the respective universities).
Further study is required to become registered in a particular specialty, the amount of which will vary depending on the area of expertise chosen.
Entry into these courses is extremely competitive and may involve an Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and an interview, among other things. Again, these requirements vary from university to university. For a full list of dental schools Australia-wide, please check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Your professional association is the Australian Dental Association.
If you want to practice as a dentist, you will need to be registered with the Dental Board of Australia.
In line with all other registered dental practitioners, you will need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities over a three year period (if you register at any time through this period, you will have to complete a pro rata number of hours).
You will also be expected to comply with the codes and guidelines issued by the Dental Board of Australia. These stipulate, among other things, that you may only practise the profession for which you are educated and trained. Other professional requirements such as the need for indemnity insurance and holding of the appropriate radiation licenses for your state also must be observed.
For further information on job prospects, earning, vacancies and training, consult Job Outlook.
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