I have always wanted to be a dentist since I was a little girl. When I chose dentistry as my career I knew a little information about being a dentist. Dentists have to use tools to operate on their patients. Dentists also have to wear gloves when they are operating on someone’s mouth. Before I graduate from high school I wanted to know how many years it will take me to get my degree. First, I searched through the Internet and found the website mschoices. com. Then I looked for information about my career in a book called Dentistry.
Finally, I conducted an interview with Dr. Robert D. Newton. By using the Internet, books, and an interview, I discovered the meaning and interesting facts about my career. A dentist has many requirements to do as he operates on his patients. Dentist use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and themselves from infectious diseases. Dentists examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments (“MSChoices. om”).
The study of dentistry is important to our health, because if there were not any dentist we would not have anyone to inform us on how to keep a clean and healthy smile. Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time. In dentistry I understand that I will do a lot of walking or standing, I might sit, but use my arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools (“MSChoices. com”). I hope to experience all of these hands on activities.
There are 15 estimated annual job openings for dentistry in the state of Mississippi. I figured that in Mississippi that we would not find many dentist offices, because Mississippi is a poor state and people up north are not going to come all the way to the South for a dentist visit. The Average Annual Wage is $152,490 – Entry Annual Wage is $57,090 – Average Hourly Wage is $73. 31 – Median Hourly Wage is $65. 04 – National Earnings (average annual wage is $166,810), and Average Hourly Wage is 80. 20 (“MSChoices. com”).
The employment for this occupation is stable. Annual growth rate is estimated to be 2% (“MSChoices. com”). These wages are reasonable to people in Mississippi, but people up north would not be able to have a stable living habitat. After concluding my research on Internet, I next began to discover information about dentistry in a book. Since dentistry is a science, I must have a high degree of proficiency in all the science objects.
Dentist must graduate from an accredited dental school and pass a written and practical exam. All 9 dental specialties require dentist to complete additional training before practicing that specialty (“MSChoices. com”). Most dentists have been to college and took many different classes to earn their degree. Dentists in other words, teach or research full time usually spends an additional 2 to 5 years in advanced dental training. Many practicing dentist also teach part time, supervising students in dental school clinics (“MSChoices. om”).
Some dentists take out the time to spend time with students to explain how to use the tools and equipment properly and what the tool is used for. The estimated salary expected for dentistry is $154,640 per year. A few related occupations to dentistry are: Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, and Prosthodontist (“MSChoices. com”). A dentist has to possess the tenacity to stick to any job until it is completed satisfactorily (Rickert). I chose three colleges that I am interested in to pursue my career.
My three colleges are Itawamba Community College, The University of Southern Mississippi, and The University of Mississippi. First, I went to Itawamba Community College (ICC) website and discovered that my tuition/fees will cost $2,420 – my semester tuition will cost $1,210 – part time tuition (credit/hr) will cost $120 – room and board will cost $3,560 – books and supplies will cost $1,400 – personal expenses will cost $2,840 – and my total In-state cost of attendance will cost $10,220 (“college-tuition. startclass. com”). Next I searched The University of Southern Mississippi.
I found that out that my tuition will cost $2,140 – room and board will cost $9,060 – personal expenses will cost $2,140 – my fees will be $272 – books and supplies will cost $1,200 and my total will cost about $22,326 (“USM. edu”). Last, I checked my last college The University of Mississippi. For two semesters my tuition/fees will cost $7,344 – housing and food will cost $10,800 – books and supplies will cost $1,380 – personal expense will cost $4,050 – medical INS will cost $2,438 my total will cost about $29,612 (“UMMC. om”).
While attending Itawamba Community College I will need to obtain an Associate’s degree, whereas attending The University of Southern Mississippi and The University of Mississippi, I will need a Bachelor’s degree. After concluding my research about my career expenses I realized that college is very expensive and is not anything to be taken for granted. Last but not least, I set up a personal interview with someone in this career field. I interviewed Dr. Robert D. Newton.
When I arrived there to his office Amory Dental I was a little nervous to ask him some questions, but I actually enjoyed the interview. My first question to Dr. Newton is how many years did it take you to get your degree? His answer was “that his undergraduate degree took him 41/2 years and dental school took him 4 years. Next, I asked how often we need to have regular dental visit. His answer was “We need to visit the dentist twice a year, and four times is required. ” Then I asked how can I maintain and prevent most dental diseases?
Dr. Newton said “brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. Sugar hurts your teeth. ” I also asked Dr. Newton what age he starts seeing his patients. He says, “From 18 months and 2 years. Around 3 years to 4”. Next I asked, what is his favorite practice that he likes doing on his patients? His answer to me was “crowning bridge which makes smiles pretty with pretty teeth. ” The last question I asked was what the starting salary is for most dentists in Mississippi. Dr. Newton says, “The salary varies, because just coming out of dental school will be $100,000 or $120,000.
Compared to more experienced people in this career field their salary will be a little more than $100,000. ” Of all the information that I learned about my career, the most surprising facts were that dentists get to do a lot of hands on work. They provide advice and instruction o taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health (“OOH. com”). Dentistry is a wonderful career to choose because dentistry offers considerable flexibility in determining the type of the practice and its locale.
