Dentistry is a broad field that encompasses all professionals who assist in the treatment and maintenance of teeth. Dental surgery, general dentistry, orthodontia, veterinary dentistry, and forensic dentistry are the five main areas of dentistry, despite the fact that there are many specialties. There are a variety of job opportunities in each of these fields. Surgeons, doctors, dental assistants, dental hygienists, technical staff, and office personnel are among them. Position, geography, and employer all influence the requirements, responsibilities, and pay for these dental career opportunities.
Preventative care, such as cleanings and X-rays, and minor treatments, such as filling cavities, are included in general dentistry. Actual dentists, who are the doctors in charge of inspecting teeth and performing procedures, are among the general dentistry career opportunities. Assistants and hygienists, for example, specialize in cleaning teeth, educating patients about dental care, and taking X-rays. In addition, office workers are in charge of scheduling appointments and calling to remind them, as well as processing insurance claims, sending invoices, keeping track of accounts, and performing clerical duties.
Dental surgery, also known as oral surgery, involves operations on the mouth or teeth, such as complex extractions, root canals, and wisdom tooth removal. The surgeons in this area have received specialized training and certification. Surgeons’ office staff often performs the same tasks as those in general dentistry. A surgical assistant may also assist the surgeon during procedures. Dental anesthesiology is one of the few careers in dentistry that is virtually exclusive to this field.
Orthodontia is a branch of dentistry that deals with oral appliances like braces, partials, bridges, and even false teeth. Career opportunities in dentistry for orthodontia include doctors, office staff, and technicians, just like in many other fields. Orthodontists and their assistants are specialists in dealing with and fitting dental appliances.
Veterinary dentistry is a subset of veterinary medicine. A veterinarian provides basic care in many cases, but this field also offers career opportunities in dentistry for doctors, surgeons, assistants, and office staff. These jobs are very similar to general dentistry jobs in most cases, except that the patients are animals rather than humans.
Forensic dentistry offers some of the most unique career opportunities in dentistry. Forensic dentists and dental technicians examine the dental features of human remains to identify them and, in some cases, to determine the cause of death. Others may study the dental remains of skeletons discovered on archaeological digs to learn more about past cultures. Traditional dental roles are frequently supplemented research assistants and academics in this field.