One of the main benefits of being a dentist is being able to help people. Even though some of the procedures may be considered minor, the impacts of the solution to these issues are significant. Dentists can fix the smile on people’s faces, which may change their lives which is a considerable achievement that they get to enjoy. Another benefit of dentistry is that there is a constant demand. People are always in need of dental services, and to maintain good oral health, we are required to have regular checkups and visits (Glick and Barbara para 8).
On its own, Dentistry is a broad field that contains several levels which means that students who are interested in it as a career have a wide range of choices to choose from. They can pick the type of dentistry they are most comfortable with, which is not typical for most careers. There is also a lucrative benefit. Dentistry is a career that offers good stable income. In the current economy, it is not easy to find careers that are in high demand and provide an excellent, dependable and steady income. Another benefit is that dentistry is among the few medical fields that have reasonable working hours. Most dentists have flexible schedules, which are easy to manage, and this gives them time to take part in other activities and takes off the load and stress of being overworked. Finally, dentistry is a potential career because most dentists can open up their dental clinic after some years of practice. It promotes autonomy for the dentists to break out of the cycle of employment and be their bosses (Becker et al. 32)
However, all the benefits that are associated with dentistry come at a cost. One of the most common and feared con of dentistry is education. Gaining the required skills to become a professional dentist is no easy task, and it requires serious studying. To become dentists, the student must undergo several years, at least 8 in medical school, before they can be qualified to practice. Most people are scared off by this since it also includes learning technical issues. Another con is the cost incurred in dental school. Most medical schools are costly, and dental school is no exception. Most students who can complete their courses are usually deep in student debt, which they have to repay as the interests keep adding up (Nasseh and Marko para 8). The thought of being in massive debts to access education is not attractive to most people. The only good part is that those who complete their course can pay off the student debts since the career offers a good stable income.
Another con of dentistry is the stress and responsibility that come with the work. Most people assume that it is not as risky and challenging as other medical fields because it deals with oral health. Similar to other cases from different medical areas, dentistry requires a lot of skill and concentration, the poor practice may lead to profound health implications, and some may affect the patient’s lives forever. It also takes a severe physical toll on the dentists as their work includes working in the mouth, which is a very constricted ad tiny space. As a result, the pressure is double as it is easier to make mistakes if one is not careful (Nasseh and Marko para 12).
For students interested in dentistry as a career, the highest degree in dentistry is the Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS, and DDM, Doctor in Medicine. Both are the same degrees are they offer the same education. To be allowed to practice as a qualified dentist, it means they graduated from Dental school and were accredited with either of these degrees.
In general, dentistry is a broad medical field that entails much and has more to offer to students interested in it as a career choice. Knowing its history and background makes it easier to look at it through different lenses and appreciate it more. The research has also broadened my view of the different levels that I can choose from if I am interested in it. Having a wide range to choose from makes it easier to select what I am most interested in to give it my best. The benefits and the cons are also an eye-opener as I can weigh the positive and the negative and consider if I am still interested in dentistry. Having a comprehensive knowledge of what dentistry entails is very beneficial as it helps understand it more to make an informed decision.