Why Being a Dentist is the Best Healthcare Job for 2019

A recent U.S. News & World Report has revealed that being a dentist is the best healthcare job for pay and overall job satisfaction. The research also found that dentists are well paid for the level of work they do, compared to other healthcare jobs. The average salary of a fully qualified dentist was found to be on average $150k, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This is a big rise on previous years, mainly because of the increase in popularity of non-essential dentistry, such as tooth whitening, which has become quite fashionable. It is thought that the number of dental jobs will go up by just under 20% by 2024 due to the rise in cosmetic dentistry and because of our aging population. This is partly why being a dentist was voted the best healthcare job for its job security, as well as its pay and conditions. Dentists also enjoy a comparatively good work life balance compared to a doctor for example. Dentists who are part of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) are dental professionals who have taken the time and effort to be trained in areas such as Botox and dermal fillers are the dentists who are taking in the most when it comes to salary. Research found that dentists who were part of this organisation were more happy and content in their job. 

I suppose this is the case because of the increase in patients they can attract, which keeps them busy, meaning they are more satisfied. While the survey from U.S. News & World Report should be celebrated, there will be dentists out there who don’t achieve anywhere near this level of salary. If you invest in yourself and diversify your skills to incorporate cosmetic dentistry, you could rise to this salary level. Keep working on your continuing education credits as well as this, and as your experience grows, your salary will increase too.

Of course, you should be doing these continuing education credits anyway as part of your licence renewal, so this should be seen as an opportunity to expand your portfolio of skills and take your career to the next level.