Dentists are health care professionals who specialize in oral health, a key part of overall well-being. They perform a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services related to the teeth, gums and other structures in the mouth. They also play a vital role in identifying other health problems and diseases that may be manifested first in the mouth. Almost 90% of dentist are in private practice, either working alone or with a dental support staff. In addition to caring for patients, dentists in private practice engage in research and teaching. They often work regular 40-hour workweeks. A minority of dentists teach in dental education programs or conduct research and deliver care in the Armed Forces, the Indian Health Service or the U.S. Public Health Service.

Although you do not have to major in a science as an undergraduate, it is recommended that you take certain biology, chemistry and physics courses. You should also join a pre-dental club, talk with practicing dentists and, if possible, shadow them. A number of dental schools offer summer programs designed to help undergraduate students get a taste of the life of a dentist.

Dentistry is a challenging and demanding career, but it can be extremely rewarding as well. The satisfaction of helping people keep their teeth and gums healthy, as well as improving someone’s self-image and reducing pain or discomfort, makes the long hours of schooling and training worthwhile.

The profession requires an unusually high level of academic achievement and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment under stressful conditions. The work is physically demanding as well, since dentists often spend long periods of time on their feet and in the operating room performing extractions, root canals and other surgeries.

Specialty dentists focus on particular areas of dentistry, such as endodontics (the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the nerve tissue found inside a tooth) and oral and maxillofacial pathology (the study and nonsurgical management of diseases with oral manifestations). There are also three monospecialties in restorative dentistry: periodontists deal with gum disease; prosthodontists repair or replace missing teeth; and orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics are specialists in straightening teeth and modifying jaw growth.

Moreover, dentists in public health work to develop new policies, improve oral care for specific demographic groups and provide training to community health workers. They also collaborate with otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists and neurologists when diagnosing or treating illnesses that affect the mouth and jaws. They may also assist rheumatologists, endocrinologists and gynecologists on multidisciplinary teams caring for medically complex patients.