Career Research

Keith D. TormeyHLTH 419 September 2, 2015

Introduction O The career I have chosen to research is

dentistry. Dentistry has many different branches and has evolved greatly since 5000 B.C. Despite the different branches, a common goal of all dental professionals’ is to improve a patient’s oral health and promote quality oral hygiene. Dentistry as a career is growing, therefore I have decided to research this profession a little deeper and get to know the real details of all it has to offer.

The History of Dentistry

O The first known dentist dates back to 2600 BC, Hesey-Re, an Egyptian, was referred to as “the greatest of those who dealt with teeth”

O However dental procedures date back as far as 5500 BC to the Sumerians, who believed “tooth worms” were the cause of dental decay.

O The Middle Ages is when dentistry begins as a profession O In 700, a Chinese medical text mentions the us of “silver

paste”, a type of amalgam.O The Father of Modern Dentistry is known as Pierre Fauchard.

O He was the first to describe a comprehensive system for the practice of dentistry including basic oral anatomy and function, operative and restorative techniques, and denture construction

Dentistry in America O John Baker was the earliest medically-trained

dentist to practice in America in 1760.O In 1801, Richard Skinner write the Treatise on the

Human Teeth, the first dental book published in America.

O The American Dental Association was established in 1859.

O Harvard University Dental School was the first university-affiliated dental institution.

O Currently as of 2015, the United States has 65 dental institutions where it is possible to receive a DDM or DDS degree.

Work Environment and Salary O Most dentists usually work in offices wearing masks, gloves,

and safety glasses to protect themselves from infectious diseases.

O Some dentists own their own businesses and work alone, while many work with a small staff to provide the best possible care.

O The majority of dentists work full time in order to meet their patient’s needs however, the number of hours worked varies among different dentists.

O Each branch of dentistry differs in their median annual wage, but according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dentists was $149,310.

O The lowest 10% earned less than $73,840O The highest 10% earned $187,200 or more

Growth Potential O Dentistry has an expected career grow of 16%

from 2012-2022, faster than average for all occupations.

O There are many areas of the United States where patients need dental care, but have little access to it. Cosmetic dental services, such as teeth-whitening treatments, will become increasingly popular. This trend is expected to continue as new technologies allow for less invasive, faster procedures.

Education and Licensure

O Most dental students need at least a bachelor’s degree, but requirements vary by school. O Dental school applicants must take the Dental Acceptance

Test (DAT) before acceptance into dental school. O Dental school training usually takes 4 years to complete

in addition to a 1 or 2 year residency program.O All states require dentists to be licensed; requirements

vary by state. Most states require a dentist to have a degree from an accredited dental school and to pass a written and practical exam

O Once this is complete and passed, one is officially a general dentist (DDM). Different specialties require more training

Why I am qualifiedO I am a senior Health Science major with a concentration in

Preprofessional Health Studies.O My cumulative GPA is a 3.85 out of a 4.0.O I have been on two mission trips to Central American countries

where I assisted in many oral surgical procedures, performed routine hygiene cleanings, and taught the citizens proper dental hygiene habits.

O I have a hard work ethic and am very determined to learn as much as I can. O I have been an Enhanced LIFE Scholarship Recipient since 2012O I am a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Sigma

Alpha Lambda, and Mortar Board honor societiesO I have been a member of the honor roll during my entire career at

Clemson-- Dean’s List (Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2014) and the President’s List (Spring 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2015)

Relevant CourseworkO Principles of Biology O Intro to Public Health O Health Care SystemsO Human Anatomy and

PhysiologyO Human Health and

DiseaseO Epidemiology

O Chemistry O Statistical Inference O Genetics O Human Sexual

Behavior O Responding to

EmergenciesO Determinants of

Health Behavior O Physics

An “A” was earned in all of the above courses

O*NET Profiler Results

Realist

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10203040

My Interest Results

My Interest Results

Top 3

1. Social – Like working with others to help them learn and grow.

2. Enterprising – Like work that has to do with starting up and carrying out business projects

3. Investigative - Like work that has to do with ideas and thinking rather than physical activity or leading people

O*NET Profiler Interpretation O I would strongly agree with the results the O*NET profiler

compiled.1) Social: I enjoy teaching, giving advice, and helping/being of

service to others.a) Ex: I have been on two dental mission trips to Central American

countries where I taught the citizens of Nicaragua and Guatemala proper dental hygiene.

2) Enterprising: I enjoy persuading and leading people, making decisions, and taking risks for profits

a) Ex: I am the manager of the Clemson Men’s Soccer team. Although this has nothing to do with the science field, I believe by me taking this “risk” by working in different situations, I will profit in terms of experience and being unique from those that apply to dental school

3) Investigative: I enjoy searching for facts and figuring out problems

a) Ex: As a member of the Clemson Dental club, we partner with various local dentists to complete activities relating to different dental subjects

Dental Schools of InterestO Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry

-Dallas, TX

GPA: 3.57DAT Average: 21Entering Class: 104 total (10 out of state)Application Deadline: September 30Tuition (per year): $64,840

Texas A&M University Baylor College of DentistryOffice of Recruitment and Admissions

3302 Gaston Ave., Room 525Dallas, Texas 75246-2013

Dental Schools of Interest • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

-Chapel Hill, NC

GPA: 3.66DAT Average: 20Entering Class: 82 total (13 out of state)Application Deadline: September 30Tuition (per year): $75,807

DDS AdmissionsUNC School of Dentistry, CB #7450

1611 Koury Oral Health Sciences BuildingChapel Hill, N.C. 27599-7450

Conclusion O Overall, dentistry is a rapidly

growing field and the demand for dentists is high. This profession can be very rewarding for many reasons but many sacrifices have to be made before one can begin a career as a dentist. When choosing a career/career path to follow, each of the previous slides must be thought out thoroughly and carefully in order to make a career decision.

References

O http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-1O http

://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-history-and-presidents-of-the-ada/ada-history-of-dentistry-timeline

O http://www.centreoms.com/admin/storage/news/ADA%20Definition%20of%20OMS%20and%20Dentisry.pdf

O https://www.dentistry.unc.edu/academicprograms/dds/O http://www.tambcd.edu/admissions/ddsadmissions.htmlO http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?

abc=h&iid=305&aid=1256O http://

www.adea.org/GoDental/Prehealth_Advisors/History_of_Dentistry.aspx