Dentists are incredibly important aspects of our healthcare system—they make sure people of all ages have healthy smiles and mouths. And many dentists find the career to be fulfilling. In fact, according to the U.S. News & World Report, dentists have ranked number one in healthcare jobs because there is opportunity for career advancement, it’s an in-demand job, dentists seem satisfied with their work, and it’s a constantly changing field.
This video resource is provided to help kids learn about what a dentist does and why a career in dentistry is ranked so highly for growth and job satisfaction. Dentistry provides the opportunity to work with many different patients, making it so that they have many opportunities for growth. It is an in-demand career, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an employment growth of 19% through 2026. Dentists also generally have a good work-life balance and career flexibility, making the job satisfaction high. The chance to innovate is high in this field, as dentists help shape future oral health care with education and research.
This video may also foster a conversation about future career choices and open up the opportunity for children to become interested in a career in the healthcare industry as a dentist. Give these children the provided tips and knowledge of what it takes to pursue a career in this field.
Discuss the questions below in order to get these conversations started and encourage any child interested to consider dentistry as a potential path for them.
Discussion Questions
Since Oral Health is such a diverse field, what are different career paths that a dentist can take?
Why are dentists ranked #1 in healthcare? What aspects of the career factor into this ranking?
Does being a dentist sound interesting to you? Is it a career that you might consider? Why or why not?