Dentists work between 4 days to 5 days per week.
Usually in the beginning of the dentists career they will work 5 days per week and then as they advance in their career they may only work 4 days per week.
Early on in a practice, a dentist generally works five days a week.
As the practice becomes established, the dentist may take a half day off or choose to work four days a week.
Approximately 80% of all dentists practice general dentistry.
General dentists treat all patients, adults and children, in many different treatment facilities and settings.
General dentists are graduates of dental school and hold a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree.
The D.M.D. and the D.D.S. are equivalent degrees that are awarded to dental students upon completion of the same types of programs.
Some dental school graduates opt for one or two years of additional education in a general practice residency or advanced education in general dentistry program, rather than immediately going into practice.
Approximately 90% of all dentists are engaged in delivery of care through private practices.
Full-time dentists spend approximately 36 hours per week in their practices, of which approximately 33 hours per week is spent treating patients.
They have great flexibility in determining the number of hours per week they choose to work.
The remaining 10% of dentists teach in dental education programs, conduct research and/or deliver care in the Armed Forces, the Indian Health Service, the U.S. Public Health Service or other clinical settings.
Dentists engaged in teaching, research or related positions generally work regular 40-hour workweeks.
To practice dentistry in the United States, you must graduate from an accredited dental school.
Dental school programs generally last four years. In order to be accepted into dental school, you have to take the American Dental Association’s Dental Admission Test (DAT).
In making admissions decisions, dental schools consider many factors, which may vary from one school to another.
For example, many state-supported dental schools are required to accept a majority of students who reside in their home state.
Some dental schools consider individuals without a bachelor’s degree, if they have completed a minimum of two years of full-time college study.
However, preference is given to candidates who have a college degree by the time they enter dental school.