It Takes a Team If a dental career appeals to you but you're not sure about becoming a dentist, there are other great options in the field. Dentistry is a team effort, and great dentistry is rarely accomplished alone. A dental team can be comprised of the doctor, a dental hygienist, an assistant, front desk staff, and dental lab technicians. n DENTAL HYGIENISTS The dental hygienist is an integral part of the team and serves alongside the doctor in direct patient care. Dental hygienists perform many duties, including patient screenings, dental cleanings, taking x-rays, sealant and fluoride placement, anesthetizing (numbing) the pa- tient for the doctor, nutrition counseling, and making dental impressions. There are some institutions that offer an 18- month program (minimally) to become a hy- gienist and obtain an associate degree, and university-level programs usually last two years or more and may lead to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In 2023, the national salary average of den- tal hygienists working five days per week is around $73,000-$92,000 according to Salary.com n DENTAL ASSISTANTS The dentist is able to work more efficiently with a dental assistant at chairside. Like the dental hygienist, assistants are an invaluable team member to the flow of patient care. They seat and dismiss the patient, take nec- essary x-rays and impressions, perform den- tal charting, and suction and assist during patient care. Some dental assistants obtain additional certifications allowing them to perform more complicated roles such as ex- panded functions (fillings or impressions for permanent prostheses). Coronal polishing, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) monitoring, and sealant placement are additional certifica- tions that could also be obtained. According to Salary.com, the average pay for a dental assistant is $41,000-$51,000 per year in Tennessee and can increase based on the certifications and level of experience. n DENTAL LAB TECHNICIANS One of the key players for many dentists, especially general dentists, are lab techni- cians. Some dentists have an in-office lab and others use a laboratory outside of the office. Dental technicians use conventional (a putty-like substance) or digital impres- sions (or mold) to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other appliances to restore a patient’s oral health. Dental lab technicians get to apply both art and science to their work to duplicate (or improve) what a pa- tient had originally. The average salary for most lab technicians nationally is $60,147 but increase significantly based on years or lab ownership. Dentistry: A Great Profession If you want a career that allows you to change the lives of your patients and im- prove their well-being, dentistry is an excel- lent choice. With a range of positions to explore, you are certain to find an avenue that fits your interest. To Learn More About Dentistry Here are a few links you may find helpful to learn more about the dental profession: www.ada.org www.adea.org The Information on this career is submitted by Christina T. Rosenthal, DDS, MPH A product of the inner-city, Dr. Christina Rosenthal defied all odds and ultimately be- came a dentist. In addition to being a wife, mother of three, and general dentist, she makes time to encourage young people to pursue careers in healthcare through her Determined to be a Doctor Someday (D.D.S.) initiatives. She is also author of the children’s book, You Can Become A Doctor Too. To learn more please visit www.pre- scribing inspiration.com Tennessee Career Guide | 2024-2025 57 Tennessee’s Top Careers Delta Dental of Tennessee is the state’s largest independent dental benefits car- rier with 1.5 million lives covered. As part of the Delta Dental Plans Associa- tion, Delta Dental of Tennessee mem- bers have access to the largest dental network in the nation with more than 200,985 providers serving more than 538,819 locations. With the simple mis- sion of ensuring healthy smiles, Delta Dental of Tennessee works hard to help members of the communities it serves. Along with its corporate foundation, Smile180, Delta Dental of Tennessee donated more than $4.0 million in fund- ing and in-kind services to over 100 or- ganizations in 2023. The Information on this career is sponsored by
