Academic Affairs

Local students among record number of graduates at UMMC's 57th CommencementMission of Mercy

  • Why You Should Consider a Career as a Dental Professional

    Dentistry: An attractive career choice

      • Flexibility
      • Creativity
      • Security
      • Prestige
      • Personal Satisfaction
      • Health Promotion

    Career profile

      • 164,000-plus dentists in the United States
      • General dentists: 80%
      • Specialists: 20%
      • Private practitioners: 92% (67% are solo practitioners)
      • 2001: Approximately 40% of DMD's are in salaried positions
      • 1995 Gallup Poll: Dentists are third "Most Trusted" Profession (behind pharmacists and clergy). 92% of respondents would refer friends and relatives to their dentist
      • Women in dental school classes: More than 40% nationwide; UMMC SOD 2009 entering class = 51% female

    Dental economics

      • UMC School of Dentistry = One of the least expensive schools in the U.S.
      • 2005 average net income of general dentists (U.S.) = $198,000
      • Average net income of specialists (U.S.) = $304,000
      • Net hourly rate of dentists now exceeds that of: Family practitioner, physicians, pediatricians, general internists and psychiatrists
      • Average income of dentist: Top 5% of U.S. family incomes
      • Dental offices: Third highest category of U.S. businesses "Most Likely to Survive" (According to Inc Magazine)
      • Average dentist workweek: 37 hours/week (limited "on call" responsibilities)

    Future trends in dentistry

      • 2001 - 2020: 48,000 U.S. dentists will reach retirement age
        • 1990: Ratio of dentists per 100,000 U.S. population = 59.5
        • 2020: Ratio expected to be 57.2 (fewer practicing dentists)
      • Growing demands for oral health care services:
        • U.S. population living longer, retaining more of their teeth
        • Older population able to afford more oral health care services

    Career opportunities

      • Traditional private practice
      • Academic dentistry
      • Research and industry
      • Military dentistry
      • Public health - state
        • State dental public health facilities
        • County public health facilities
      • Public health - federal
        • Indian health service
        • Federal bureau of prisons

    Dental specialties

      • Endodontics
      • Oral and maxillofacial pathology
      • Oral and maxillofacial radiology
      • Oral and maxillofacial surgery
      • Orthodontics
      • Pediatric dentistry
      • Periodontics
      • Prosthodontics
      • Public health

    Other notable items

    • Dentistry easily practiced on part-time basis; ample time to raise family and earn comfortable living;
    • Many oral-maxillofacial surgery programs offer MD along with specialty training;
    • Dentists are licensed immediately after dental school, with considerable earning potential just four years out of college;