Essentials to know about dental jobs

Introduction to dental jobs

An essential field of medicine, dentistry has been a mainstay in terms of career choices for students. Requiring high expertise and dedication, the area is right up there with most fields of medical study. Before we begin with the various employment options in the field, it must be noted that, like any field of medicine, dentistry too requires strenuous UG & PG study combined with (at least) a year’s worth of practice under a certified medical professional. With that said, let’s take a deeper look at some of the most lucrative dental jobs available to aspirants:

Types of dental jobs

• Orthodontist: Probably the most widely known field of dentistry, an orthodontist deals with matters of straightening & alighting teeth or jaws. These are the kind of medical professionals who engage with the application and maintenance of braces.
• Periodontist: Another specialist in the field of dentistry, a periodontist, is responsible for the well-being of the gums, which end up stalling the proper development and health of the tooth.
• General Practitioner: A field that requires as much study as the fields listed above, a General Practitioner is usually the 1st point of contact for an individual facing mouth/teeth-related issues. After a proper examination, a General Practitioner will refer the patient to a specialist (such as the ones listed above).

With that said, let’s look at the various government & private jobs available to dental professionals.

Government Jobs 

• State Govt. Jobs: Each state government releases details concerning vacancies in newspapers and their websites. Each state holds different eligibility criteria. A good place to start scouting for such openings is just a Google search away; search for “Dental + Vacancy + Government + Your State”.
• Indian Railways: Boasting of part-time & full-time opportunities, Indian Railways provide vacancies on a zonal basis (Central, South, etc.). Please note, Indian Railways are not as big a dental employer as State Governments.
• Armed Forces (Navy/Air Force/Army): A highly illustrious job opportunity, the Armed Forces offer medical professionals the opportunity to help their fellow compatriots and their families.
• National Rural Health Mission: Each state provides opportunities to join its NRHM initiatives. Just like State Governments, vacancy details about NRHM dental job openings are on the internet by searching for NRHM + Your State + Dental + Vacancy.

Private jobs

• Hospitals: Each privately run hospital would offer different treatments, among them dental treatments is well in demand. These vacancies are usually posted on online job portals. Referrals are a great way to get your foot in the door.
• Private practice by leading dental professionals: Several top professionals set up private practices and need more hands on deck to treat patients effectively. This is a huge opportunity for individuals to learn the ropes from professionals with a much larger body of work.
• Set up your own private practice: Usually a route adopted by many professionals, setting up your own practice is a highly lucrative career opportunity. Once you’ve garnered enough experience, you can try & go solo, relying on the goodwill and expertise you’ve accumulated over the years.

Key takeaways

• There exists a plethora of opportunities in the field of dental practice in India, both on the govt. t. & private  side. 
• Like most fields of medical study, dentistry requires strenuous study and practice under a certified medical professional.
• Private practices are gaining traction considering the independence they offer as compared to working as an employed medical professional for a different entity.

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FAQs

Q1. What kind of study is required in the field of dentistry?

Answer: Post pursuing high school studies with PCB subjects, aspirants have to enroll for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Studies), which is a rigorous five year course. A Post Graduation course usually follows this.

Q2. What is the highest-paying job in the field of dentistry?

Answer: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is widely regarded as the highest-paying dental job. Of late, Implant specialists have emerged as a highly paid demographic.

Q3. What is the highest paying job in the dental industry?

Ans: A Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is a highest paying dental job position with an annual salary of $254,000-$397,000 per year.