3. Dentistry is as varied an industry as sales, or finance.
There are many different types of dentists, and many
different reasons why they would specialize in each
field. If you need a dentist that specializes in a
particular field and want to know the qualifications,
or simply are interested in browsing different career
opportunities as a dentist, a little homework goes a
long way. After graduating dentistry school,dentists
choose a specialization residency program that
specializes in one of the following fields, and persue
it. Once they finish residency, they can apply for a
license in thier specialization.
4. Orthodontists - Known for being the people who
put braces on teenagers and adults, they specialize in
realigning teeth. They become specialized in this
practice through extra coursework at their
Universities, and often go through three extra years
of residency in order to get hired. A reason to
become an orthodontist is because they are very
well-paid.
5. Maxillofacial Surgeons and Radiologists -
People who work in maxillofacial surgery perform
tooth extractions, and dental implantations. Many
skilled dentists can do this without too much extra
training. In order to become a maxillofacial
radiologist, dentists need to get a special post-grad
certificate. Being a maxillofacial radiologist means
that you don't have to use drills or perform surgery
on patients, which is a huge perk.
6. Periodontists - Doctors who treat gums, and the
other tissues surrounding teeth are periodonists.
They are some of the most highly paid dentists out
there. This often will include one or two extra
courses during their studies in grad school, along
with specialization residency
7. Endontists - These doctors are well-paid, and also
specialize in root canal therapy. Residency for
endontists is similar to periodontists and others.
Most residency programs cover this field of dentistry.
8. Prosthodontists - Dentists who specialize in
dentures and fake teeth are prosthodontists. They
are in very high demand. Prosthodontists often
specialize in this field during their residency in
college, but some also take certification and extra
classes.
9. Pediatric Dentists - Dentists who are great with
kids and can deal with unruly patrons should
consider pediatric dentistry as a specialization.
Residency for this is often longer, and can be difficult
to find. Extra courses in child psychology also are
useful (and necessary in some universities).
10. Preventive Dentistry and Minimal
Intervention Dentistry - Although not officially
recognized as specializations by the ADA, education
on these forms of dentistry is available, as is
certification. This often is covered in dental school,
and the demand for this is expected to increase in the
following years.
11. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology - One of the
most common specializations in dentistry, oral
pathology takes approximately 2 years of residency
to complete. This is always in high demand, and job
security is high.
12. Public Health - This also covers working with large
amounts of people, educating others on dentistry,
etc. This is an ADA recognized specialization with a
very high demand. It typically takes a 2 year
residency to become a dentist in public health.
