What is it like to be a dentist?
A dentist have to deal with any procedure that involves actual manipulation of the teeth or gums. Dentists have to prevent their patients from many diseases such as swollen, cavities, bleeding gums, or tooth decay. They also need to educate patients about how to preserve a healthy mouth. Dentists now provide cosmetic care like whitening teeth which is really popular to give the impression of a good hygiene in our society. What we less think about is that dentists also need to manage paperwork and insurance claims.
Dentists work usually 7 to 10 hours a day except when emergencies happen and they have to lengthen their shift. For exemple, Dr. Charlotte Leigh get to her workplace at 9am. She look at her list of the day, tell her nurse what she needs to prepare and check all the equipment needed for the day. She chat with her colleagues drinking a coffee and she’s ready at 9.30am to start practice. Her morning session runs 9.30am to 1pm. She can see a patient every half hour for short treatments or check-ups. For longer treatments, she can see about three to four patients. Then, she have lunch between 1pm and 2pm. Finally, she continues seeing patients until 6pm.
The typical workplaces for a dentist are clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, private practice and universities. Their work environment is mainly indoor and in environmentally controlled spaces. In any environment where dentists are in contact with patients, they use dangerous chemicals substances, use biological agents and they’re in contact with radiations which can occur skin injury. This is why specialized safety equipment are used in the workplace. There is also sound and noise created by the equipment, the machinery and the tools used by dentists. Finally, dentists have physical proximity with patients in there environment. They need to be very close and to touch their patients which increases the risk of exposure to a disease. Also, working in group practices instead of private practices cuts back on insurance and overhead expenses. That’s why dentists prefer working in groups nowadays.
To become a dentist you need two to four years of pre-dentistry university studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in sciences and a university degree from a recognized dental program. You will also require a licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body. Finally, if you want to move into a specialized practice you will have to do advanced training.
Dentists start earning significant incomes after 10 years of practice. Last year, the median salary was 110 000$/year in Canada. In Quebec, the median wage was 106 000$/year and the highest was 228 000$/year. We can say dentists are very well paid!
When you graduate, you still have a supervisor who make sure you do your job even if you have your own patients. This more experienced person will oversee your work, tutor and support you. They are there to guide you and to help you face the reality of the job. Dentists can also receive additional training to specialize in fields such as orthodontics or oral surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have to do four to seven years of specialty residency training in their field. Orthodontists have to do three years of advanced orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics program accredited by the Canadian Dental Association.
Dentist are sometimes disliked by the public. Many people hate dentist and it can be frustrating and eventually lead dentist to depression.
Even after 30 years of service, most dentists are still working full time in their job. It’s after 40 years that some dentists start retiring but it’s not the majority.
For my part, I probably want to be a dentist first and maybe an orthodontist after a couple years of practice as a dentist. I am currently at college in my second year and I will complete my program after three years. After that, I wish to be accepted in dentistry at university. I will complete my degree and start my dream job.
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Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
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