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Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. If you're considering the profession, it's a good idea to fully understand what a dentist does before applying to dental school. Dentistry is a challenging career that requires extensive training and preparation. Aspiring dentists must meet stringent educational requirements, including eight or more years of study after high school, and fulfill the licensing requirements of the state in which they wish to practice. Most dentists practicing today made their career decision in late high school or early college. It is never too soon or too late to begin some serious thinking about your career in dentistry. The information below will help you explore one exciting career possibility —dentistry. Reasons to Become a Dentist Helping Others Dentists assist patients in maintaining their oral health. They diagnose and treat common conditions such as cavities as well as potentially serious medical conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer. Multiple Career Paths While the American Dental Association indicates that about 80 percent of dentists in the United States were general practitioners as of 2012, dentistryoffers nine different specialties from which to choose. Prestige Dentistry is a prestigious profession, and dentists are held in high esteem by friends, family members and the communities in which they live and work. Financial Rewards Dentistry is a potentially lucrative career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income of general dentists in the United States was $161,750 as of May 2011. Duties of a Dentist Treatment A general dentist diagnoses and treats problems with the teeth and gums. The duties of a dentist typically include interpreting x-rays, removing decay from teeth, filling cavities, repairing cracked or fractured teeth, extracting teeth and monitoring the growth and development of the teeth and jaw. Advice In addition to administering treatment, dentists also advise their patients on caring for their teeth and gums. They explain to patients how diet, flossing, use of fluoride and general lifestyle issues, such as drinking and smoking, can affect dental health and overall well-being. Dentists offer advice concerning good oral hygiene -- and recommend products that can help patients keep their teeth and gums in good condition. Management Most dentists have some managerial and administrative responsibilities, especially those who run their own practices. Dentists who run businesses need to hire and manage staff, look after the marketing of their services and liaise with suppliers. Specializations A dentist who wants to practice in a specialty must have a license in that specialty, which usually requires 2 to 4 years of additional education and in some cases, the completion of a special state exam. Hope this article help you know more about dentists career. Read more: dentalequips.co.uk