Careers in Dentistry
Begin your career in dentistry in 1 year, without biting off more than you can chew

The dental field is a career choice with teeth, thanks to an ageing Canadian population on a constant quest for tooth-to-toe health and beauty. The government expects employment of dental assistants and dental hygienists to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, as dentists delegate routine work to focus on the most profitable dental procedures.

The need for dental laboratory technicians -- a lesser-known group of dental workers -- is also growing steadily. UC411.com has done the research for you, and found 3 great dental careers that you can get into – in just under a year:

Dental Assistants

Dental Assistants provide instruments, suction patients’ mouths and sterilize equipment as dentists examine and treat patients. Dental Assistants may also perform administrative tasks like scheduling and confirming appointments, ordering supplies, sending bills and collecting payments. "You can’t get bored if you apply yourself," says Kristy Borquez. "The workday is so diverse. I have built a rapport with patients and enjoy catching up with them when they come in."

Some Dental Assistants use the position as a stepping stone to becoming a Dental Hygienist or Dentist; others make dental assisting their career, explains Borquez, who has been a Dental Assistant for 30 years. "I think dentists are looking for employees who are dependable, loyal, easygoing, good with people and looking for a professional career, not just a job," she adds.

Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienists provide preventive dental services, from removing plaque to taking and developing dental X-rays. Educating and counseling patients on oral hygiene is another big part of the job description. "There is a growing recognition that oral health is necessary for total health," says Helena Gallant Tripp, who has been a registered dental hygienist for 41 years. Decay and infection in the mouth has been linked to diabetes, heart conditions and bearing low-birth weight babies, Tripp says, and Dental Hygienists play an important role in identifying such problems. "The more education you have, the more opportunities your employer will give you, and the more interesting and varied your work will be," she says.

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Dental Laboratory Technicians fill dentists’ orders for crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental prosthetics. The technician’s goal is to create a replica in the same shape and color as a patient’s lost teeth. First, a technician creates a plaster model of a patient’s mouth based on a mold the dentist has sent. Then the technician uses the model to build and shape a wax tooth or teeth. The wax tooth is then re-created as a metal and porcelain tooth that’s placed in the patient’s mouth. "Dental technology tends to attract a lot of artists," says Ricki Braswell, co-executive director of the National Association of Dental Laboratories . "It’s important to have a keen eye for color, form and function."

Many dental laboratory technicians are self-employed solo practitioners who perform all stages of restoration. Others work in commercial dental labs, where they may specialize in only a few steps of the process. "It’s an excellent career, but most people are not really familiar with it," says Braswell.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew – UC411.com can show you how to start your dental career in just 1 year! Click Here