Lydia+M

= Dentist =

= = = =

** Three questions I want to answer in my research about this job **
1. What subjects do I need to take in year 12 and 13 to be eligible for this job? 2. Do you get payed well? 3. Is there a high demand for dentists in the work force?

** The sources I used to find this information, listed in order of usefulness **
1. [] 2. [] 3. []

Dentists study and treat diseases, injuries and problems of the mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. They also educate patients on how to avoid oral health problems.

 * //Some of the tasks and duties of the job include://**
 * examining patients' mouth, teeth, gums and jaw
 * diagnose diseases
 * treat diseased teeth and gums
 * replace missing teeth with implants, bridges, or partial or full dentures
 * improve the appearance of teeth
 * advise patients on oral health
 * refer patients to other dental specialists and health professionals


 * //Dentists need to have knowledge of://**
 * how to assess and diagnose dental problems
 * the structure and functions of the teeth, jaw and mouth
 * the structure and functions of the body, and general injuries and diseases of the body, especially the head and neck
 * injuries and diseases of the mouth
 * dental and oral health care methods, materials and medicines
 * hygiene and sterilisation procedures
 * first aid


 * //Personal and physical qualities needed are://**
 * able to relate to a wide range of people
 * accurate and responsible
 * able to work well under pressure
 * good at problem-solving and decision-making
 * have good eyesight
 * good hand-eye co-ordination

** About the qualifications and conditions **
To apply for tertiary training you need to have NCEA Level 3 which means you need to complete all your school years. Useful subjects to take in secondary school include maths with calculus and/or statistics, chemistry, physics, biology and English.
 * //Secondary education//**

The University of Otago is the only university in New Zealand that offers the Bachelor of Dental Surgery. To become a dentist you will need to complete the Health Sciences First Year programme at Otago University and then complete a four-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree also at Otago.
 * //Tertiary education//**

The most useful experience for dentists is any form of work that involves dealing with people. It is very useful if you have had any experience in the health industry.
 * //Useful experience//**

They work in offices and surgeries in places such as private practices, hospitals and community health centres. Dentists usually work regular business hours, but may be required to do some evening and weekend work.
 * //Working conditions and hours//**

Pay for dentists depends on their experience, location and size of their practice. Qualified dental specialists working for a district health board usually earn between $150,000 and $206,000
 * //Pay and progression//**
 * Dentists with one to two years of experience usually earn between $65,000 and $80,000 a year
 * Those with three to five years of experience usually earn between $80,000 and $120,000
 * Dentists with more than five years of experience usually earn up to $150,000

The chances of getting a job as a dentist are good due to a shortage of workers. There are a shortage of dentists because there is a lack of trainees and most dentists choose to work privately.
 * //What are the chances of getting a job//**

//**Becoming an orthodontist**// If you want to become an orthodontist you have to do the full five year course of dentristry and then an additional three years of either Master of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry degrees.

Jobs that relate in some way or are similar to being a dentist include:
 * //Related jobs//**
 * Orthodontist
 * Periodontist
 * Dental hygenist
 * Equine dentist
 * Dental therapist

** My conclusion **
The career choice of becoming a dentist would suit me quite well as i like working with people and helping people. It would be a really rewarding job because you would be helping patients and you would feel like you were making a difference. A couple of the negatives about this job are that you would be working inside everyday and that it would be a hard course to complete at university. My interest in this job would now be high but that will most likely change in a years time. There is not a lot i can do to develop my knowlege in dentistry at this age except for taking the subjects needed to be eligible for the course. In the future, dentists will have more advanced technology which means i would have to learn new skills. It sounds like a great career but im not sure if it would be the right career for me.