2023 Salary Survey Report
See how you comparePosted April 09, 2018
You might be considering a career change for several reasons. You could be burnt out on your current career, want to help people, make more money, or decide to return to school after your kids grow up. A new career in dentistry might be the right choice for you.
If you’re worried about changing careers later in life, remember it’s never too late. Many people choose to pursue different careers mid-life and never regret the decision. Here are a few dental career choices and tips to help you succeed – whether you want to switch to something new within dentistry or are completely new to dentistry.
Maybe you’re already set on becoming a dentist. And there are many different dental specialties. If you’re ready to jump back into dental school, there are a few things you should know:
However, there are lots of other options in the dentistry field to choose from. After weighing the pros and cons of being a dentist, you might consider other options like dental hygiene. This might be a better path if you think you would enjoy working under the supervision of a licensed dentist, cleaning teeth, and educating patients about good oral hygiene.
Some options require less training or a few months at a vocational school. Dental assisting programs can take as few as 9 to 12 months to complete, and you’ll be on your way to a new career helping doctors and their patients.
But maybe you’re interested in the dental industry but don’t want to return to school. Or maybe you prefer an administrative role to more hands-on career paths. Dental offices need all kinds of employees to operate every day. What skills and experience have you gathered in your career so far? How can you apply that to a new job in a dentist’s office? A few unique dental career options include:
As you can see, if you’re interested in the dental industry, there will be a job fit for you. You just might have to get creative and network with professionals already working in the field.
Choosing your career path is hard enough, but now you must study for it. Maybe you’re nervous about returning to school and changing careers in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. Don’t worry, lots of people have done it before you.
You might return to a very different school than you attended in your younger years, but a few things will never change. Tests must be one of them. A test can be nerve-wracking or even sweat-inducing for some people. Here are five study and test-taking tips:
Finishing school will feel like a whirlwind, but where do you go from there? After dental school, you have a new career path set in front of you. You could start your practice, join a thriving one, or transition to a new role within your current or prior practice. The choice is yours.
Updated October 2022.