Small Business Series: Dentists

QUICK SNAPSHOT DENTIST IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE ARE ABOUT 155,700 LICENSED DENTISTS DENTIST Approximately 84% of all dentists are general dentists. The rest 83.9% GENERAL DENTISTS specialize in disciplines such as orthodontics or prosthodontics. 5.1% ORAL & SMALL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON BUSINESS 5.3% ORTHODONTISTS SERIES DENTISTS 0.6% PROSTHODONTISTS 50 100 PERCENTAGE 5% ALL OTHER Whether you love or hate going to your local dentist, you have them to thank for keeping your Among general dentitsts: pearly whites nice and healthy. Here, our first in a series of service-oriented small business 90% WORK IN professionals, we profile dentists: who they are, PRIVATE PRACTICE 50 100 where they are, how much it takes to do their PERCENTAGE jobs, and what's in store for the industry. 10% WORK IN DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS/ CONDUCTING RESEARCH/IN OTHER CLINICAL SETTINGS *Latest recorded data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2010). CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK & TEXAS boast the most number of DENTIST EMPLOYMENT employed general practitioners. 130-320 330-630 700-1090 1,100-1670 1,720-3,050 3,340-11,520 JOB DESCRIPTION EDUCATION & TRAINING In a typical day, a general dentist might: High school and college students aspiring to become dentists are Once they are admitted recommended to take courses in into a dental school, an chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, ADA-accredited institution and mathematics. which includes in-class and clinical instruction, they can be expected to complete an average of 4 YEARS OF DENTAL SCHOOL And during their junior year, college undergraduates must take the If students want to go into A EXTRACT TEETH E PERFORM X-RAYS American Dental Association's specialized areas of study (ADA) multiple-choice Dental (orthodontics, etc.), it'll take PERFORM IDENTIFY AND Acceptance Test (DAT) to apply 2 TO 6 CHECKUPS REMOVE CAVITIES to dental school. TEACH PATIENTS G ABOUT HEALTHY DENTAL CARE C WHITEN TEETH MORE YEARS CLEAN TEETH & H CREATE AND FIT DENTURES GUMS After graduating, each state requires a license FULL-TIME DENTISTS... More than 85% of dental students to practice, with its own obtain at least a bachelor's degree Work an average of 36 hours per week. provisions. prior to entering dental school. 2 Spend 33 of those hours directly treating patients. 85% DOLLARS & CENTS FUTURE GROWTH Median salary compared to other specialties and occupations: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that, from 2010 to 2020, dentist employment will increase by 21%. $146,920 ALL U.S. DENTISTS $166,400 ORAL AND MAXILLOFICAL SURGEONS $166,400 ORTHODONTISTS $141,040 GENERAL DENTISTS Employment, 2010: 155,700 Projected Employment, 2020: 187,900 $118,400 PROSTHODONTISTS $33,840 THIS GROWTH RATE IS FASTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF ALL OCCUPATIONS $71.490 ALL OCCUPATIONS.- HEALTH PRACTIONERS With the population aging, and trends such as teeth whitening growing more popular, dental services will increase in demand and $94,990 OPTOMETRISTS $84,540 ENGINEERS THE INDUSTRY WILL REMAIN STRONG INTO THE NEXT DECADE. Where do general dentists get paid best (Average salary 2011)? ALABAMA NORTH DAKOTA MAINE SOURCES: AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, VALUATION RESOURCES, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS $205,130 $205,760 $208,06O Demandforce In Partnership with Column Five DELAWARE NEW HAMPSHIRE $210,440 $237,430 PER WEEK