Public Health Dentist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewThose that enjoy working in a teaching and education setting and are familiar with dental practices and procedures often choose a career as a public health dentist. The public health dentist often works as an organizer and planner in monitoring and assessing the needs of large populations and specific groups to provide necessary dental health treatment. Often employed by the government public health dentists may also be employed by private clinics or even by research agencies.
Public health dentists are often the liaison between the dental profession and the other professionals involved in administration and coordination of community and other services. This may include teachers, doctors, city planners, the public, schoolchildren, or virtually any other stakeholder group in the community.
The public health dentist must be able to speak to wide varieties of people in an informative and educational manner. They should have excellent public speaking skills as well as be able to produce written material that is appropriate for various groups. The public health dentist needs to have a clear understanding of the needs of the population in a given area as well as be aware of current dental practices and trends both within the area and outside.
The public health dentist is often the leader of committees and projects designed to increase the overall dental health of a community or special group. The public health dentist must be very organized and be able to compile and prepare reports and databases as needed to make sound public health decisions.
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Career RequirementsMost public health dentists have a Masters degree in Public Health and then complete a dental program. Some dental schools allow a currently practicing dentist to work through a specialized program that focuses on aspects of public health and management to obtain the certification necessary for a public health dentist.
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Job OutlookThere are limited job opportunities of public health dentist that want to work in certain geographical areas of the United States. The greatest job opportunities are in larger, more affluent communities and areas, and are less available in rural communities and smaller population centers.
Public health dentist positions are usually available simply because they tend to pay less that other specialized dental positions in private practices.
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Career TrackA public health dentist can move into government management positions especially in the field of public health. There are often opportunities to work with other agencies; especially private research companies on either a full-time or consulting basis.
In addition a public health dentist may move into private practice at any time. Many public health dentists are able to work with dentists currently in practice and develop a good network for options for careers if they decide to move out of the public health dentist position.
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CompensationIn the United States the salary for a public health dentist ranges between $93,000 and $150,000, depending on location and years of experience. Those public health dentists that work for government agencies and assume management or leadership responsibilities may make slightly more per year than those that are not consider to be in management positions.
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