Are you interested in a career where you can help people maintain healthy smiles? Look no further than becoming a dentist! Dentists play a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaws. Not only is this profession rewarding, but it also offers a competitive average salary of $86.79 per hour.
To become a dentist, you'll need to complete six years of post-secondary education. Additionally, this profession requires certifications that are provincially regulated. The demand for dentists is high, with less than 1500 positions available per province.
As a dentist, your main responsibilities include advising patients on oral health care to promote good dental hygiene, restoring damaged teeth both functionally and aesthetically, and removing teeth when necessary. You may also replace missing teeth using fixed or removable devices such as bridges, dentures, or dental implants. Additionally, dentists diagnose and treat various diseases of the mouth and adjacent areas, as well as perform surgeries on the mouth, jaw, and surrounding tissues.
With further specialization, dentists can focus on specific areas such as pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and dentofacial orthopedics, periodontics and gingival surgeries, oral and maxillofacial/orthognathic surgery, and more.
In terms of working conditions, dentists typically have regular weekday hours, but they may also work some weekends and evenings. They must be available for emergencies outside of regular hours. To excel in this profession, dentists need good health, eyesight, and fine motor skills. They should also have excellent communication skills to effectively interact with patients and make them feel at ease.
If you enjoy problem-solving, performing precise work, and helping others, then a career as a dentist may be a great fit for you. Get ready to make a difference in people's lives by preserving dental health, restoring natural teeth, and improving both the look and function of smiles.
In terms of classification, dentists fall under various National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes, including 2006 NOC: Dentists (3113), 2006 NOC-S: Dentists (D013), 2011 NOC: Dentists (3113), 2016 NOC: Dentists (3113), and 2021 NOC: Dentists (31110).
Start your journey towards a fulfilling career as a dentist today!