Supply, Demand, and Recruiting Considerations in Dentistry
Career Options and Specialties Career opportunities in dentistry include academics, private practice, public health, and more. A dentist could work in several different settings across the course of a career—for example, starting in public health, moving into private practice and finishing in academics.
In addition to becoming a general or family dentist, dentistry also offers a number of specialties. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes 12 dental specialties within the field:
Dental anesthesiology
Orofacial pain
Dental public health
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
Endodontics
Pediatric dentistry
Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Periodontics
Oral and maxillofacial radiology
Prosthodontics
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral medicine
To become a dental specialist, dentists must complete a residency following dental school. Most residencies range between two and three years, with oral and maxillofacial surgery requiring between four and six years. Some programs offer a stipend and pay students during the training, while others require students to pay tuition.
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