Different dental careers you can pursue

Are you interested in dental careers? From working as a dental assistant to becoming a periodontist, there is a wide range of interesting opportunities in this field. Knowing more about the various options will help you to decide which dental career is the best match for you. So, if you’re looking for exciting career opportunities, visit Job Mail today.

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Below are some of the dental careers you can pursue:

1. Dental Assistants

If you decide to become a dental assistant, you might also find yourself being referred to as a dental nurse. You’ll be responsible for supporting the dentist when they’re treating patients. The duties of an assistant include the following:

• Passing instruments to the dentist during treatments
• Helping patients to develop good oral hygiene skills
• Getting patients ready for dental procedures
• Sterilising equipment
• Maintaining patient records
• Holding suction equipment
• Making appointments

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2. Dental hygienists

Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to ensure that their patients achieve good oral health. To succeed in this career, you’ll need great interpersonal capabilities. The ability to pay attention to detail is also important. A gentle and meticulous approach is required for this role. The responsibilities of these professionals include the following:

• Reviewing the oral health of patients
• Checking the dental history of patients
• Taking dental x-rays
• Cleaning the surfaces of teeth to remove plaque
• Educating patients on oral hygiene
• Creating impressions of teeth to be reviewed by the dentist
• Keeping records
• Performing office management tasks
• Examining teeth for cavities
• Polishing teeth

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3. Dental laboratory technicians

Dental technologists make specialised dental appliances. The dentist provides the technician with drawings and measurements from their patients so that they can customise the appliances precisely. The patient’s dental impression is vital in this process. As a dental technician you can expect to make the following:

• Crowns
• Bridges
• Implants
• Dentures
• Mouthguards
• Ocular prosthesis

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4. General dentist

General dentists study an aspect of medicine that focuses on the mouth and teeth. You’ll need good vision and manual dexterity in order to perform your duties. As a dentist you can expect to have the following responsibilities:

• Examining patients’ teeth and gums
• Diagnosing oral diseases
• Educating patients on proper dental care
• Cleaning and filling teeth
• Fitting dental appliances
• Administering anaesthetic
• Removing teeth
• Treating jaw fractures
• Treating gum disease
• Prescribing medication
• Administrative duties

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5. Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on correcting the alignment of their patients’ teeth and jaws. To succeed as an orthodontist, you’ll need to be able to work with state-of-the-art technological tools. Communication and organizational skills are also essential. The following tasks are associated with this position:

• Conducting in-depth orthodontic assessments
• Diagnosing malpositioned teeth and jaws
• Developing treatment plans
• Discussing treatment options with clients
• Fitting braces with the aim of straightening teeth

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6. Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon

An Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon treats diseases and injuries that affect the mouth, jaws and faces of their clients. This surgical specialisation requires knowledge of both medicine and dentistry. You’ll need critical thinking, active listening and problem-solving skills to succeed in this career. The tasks that accompany this role include the following:

• Administering anaesthetic
• Working together with other specialists to develop treatment plans
• Operating on their patient’s mouth and jaws to treat cleft palate and in preparation for dental implants
• Treating facial injuries
• Removing teeth, tumours and growths
• Carrying out small cosmetic procedures

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7. Periodontist

These professionals treat gum disease, which contributes to their patients oral and overall health. Periodontists are responsible for the following tasks:

• Treating gum disease and bone loss
• Carrying out dental examinations
• Diagnosing periodontal disease
• Removing bacteria from the gums
• Crown lengthening
• Performing dental implant surgery and tissue grafts

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8. Paediatric dentistry

Paediatric dentistry focuses on working with children, from infants to teenagers. These professionals require specialised training to prepare them to work with kids. They need to be able to create an environment that’s safe and welcoming for children. Paediatric dentistry includes a range of tasks, such as:

• Educating parents on how to ensure that their children have good oral health
• Helping parents to implement preventive care programs for their children
• Providing advice on pacifier habits as well as growth and development
• Treating dental injuries and gum disease
• Performing check-ups

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Now that you know more about the different dental careers, you can decide which one interests you most. You’ll also need to take your skills and personality traits into consideration when you’re making a decision. Browse Job Mail to find a range of exciting employment opportunities.

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Different dental careers you can pursue

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Are you interested in a dental career? From working as a dental assistant to becoming a periodontist, there is a wide range of opportunities in this field.

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Job Mail Staff Writer

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Job Mail

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