A career in dentistry is gratifying.
Although the long duration needed to acquire a dental degree, the high cost of dental school education, and the physical demands of a dental career can dissuade one from pursuing a dental career; dentistry is still one of the best career pathways in the world at the moment.
The state of Florida is the home of some of the best dental schools in the US. However, applicants must fulfill specific requirements to get into any of them.
This article will list the requirements for dental schools in Florida and provide information about the three best dental schools in the state.
Nevertheless, this will only come after it discusses what dentists do and why dentistry is a promising career.
Who is a Dentist?
Dentists are experts who assess medical conditions relating to the teeth, gums, and mouth and provide treatment for them. Â
These professionals perform oral surgical processes to correct any form of dental deficiency.
Dentists give anesthetics before dental surgery, analyze dental test results, and devise treatment plans for extreme oral conditions.
There are lots of specialties in the field of dental medicine, and some of them include orofacial pain, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, and others.
Top Reasons To Become A Dentist
Here are the primary reasons why you should pursue a dental career:
1. Opportunity to touch lives
Working as a dentist will give you the honor of positively impacting people’s lives. As a dentist, you will consistently treat people to lessen all forms of oral pain they suffer.
Playing such a role daily will leave you with a satisfying, priceless feeling. So, if you are looking to make people feel better, a dental career will make so much sense for you.
2. Opportunity to be self-employed
Dentists have the liberty to practice on their own.
So, if you have always been looking for a medical career specialty that will enable you to control your time and work at your pace, look no further than dental medicine.
Having your dental brand can enable you to employ people you desire to work with and enact rules you feel are right for the brand.
Being self-employed will enable you to make more money as a dentist.
3. Good salary
Dentistry is one of the best-paying specialties in the medical field.
According to research, the average median salary of a dentist is $240,000 every year.
In addition to this great pay, dentists enjoy attractive incentives like health insurance, all-expense paid vacations, and lots more.
However, the salary of dentists will differ according to experience, expertise, higher academic credentials, employer, and work location.
4. Job stability
Dentists are one of the most highly-sought after professionals in the world. This is because oral issues occur in humans consistently.
So, once you complete your dental education, finding a job won’t be hard. Moreover, if you successfully get a job, you won’t lose it for long.
Requirements For Dental Schools In Florida
To attend any dental school in Florida, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- An undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or its related field
- A GPA of not less than 3.5 (varies according to school)
- A completed application form
- A good extracurricular track record
- DAT score (minimum score varies across schools)
- Letters of Recommendations
- A passing IELTS or TOEFL score (for international students from non-English speaking countries)
What Is The Duration Of Dental School In Florida?
You can complete dental school in Florida in four years.
While the first two years in spent primarily on acquiring theoretical knowledge, the final two years will be spent acquiring practical experience.
Top 3 Dental Schools In Florida
In no preferred order, here are the best three schools for dental education in Florida:
1. University of Florida
The University of Florida is one of the best dental schools in Florida. The college of dentistry in this renowned institution has been in operation since its establishment in 1972.
This school is widely celebrated for its commitment to dental education, research, patient care, and community service.
The comprehensive curriculum that the University of Florida employs for its dental students equips students with deep knowledge and quality skills that will enable them to reach the pinnacle of a dental career.
The University of Florida dental school has trained some of the best dentists in the United States. This school admits about 90 students every year into its dental program.
Dental students’ lessons in this college prepare them for their professional dental exam. It is an ideal destination for anyone seeking to specialize in dental research as a career.
Some of the areas of research that the University of Florida dental school specializes in are bone biology, pain and neurosciences, infectious dental diseases, and lots more.
There are several world-class medical labs and institutes situated in this school.
The state-of-the-art infrastructure allows students to acquire valuable field experience before graduating.
The University of Florida dental school value excellence, as emphasized by its dedication to providing good dental care, top-notch research, and personalized education.
2. University of Miami
The University of Miami is another excellent addition to this list.
Students of this school engage in classroom and lab learning sessions that empower them with the knowledge of regular, advanced, and comprehensive dental care.
The University of Miami dental school takes students through several lectures, workshops, and clinical rounds that boost their field knowledge.
The lectures are delivered by experienced faculty with in-depth knowledge of their dental specialties.
Furthermore, the University of Miami dental school receives several visiting faculty members each year. The medical facilities at this academic institution reportedly complete over 25,000 dental procedures annually.
3. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is one of the best dental schools in Florida. It is the first private dental school in Florida.
Nova Southeastern University dental school is dedicated to producing graduates with excellent clinical experience and good research skills.
Many alums of this school currently hold leadership positions across several dental health work settings.
Furthermore, dental students at Nova Southeastern University offer lessons for several specialties of dental medicine, such as oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral pathology, and others.
The classroom and lab experiences empower students with the skills, confidence, and technical ability required to become exceptional medical professionals, eventually creating global impacts.
The four-year curriculum challenges students to acquire the knowledge they need to offer professional dental care to millions of individuals that require such services.
The presence of highly experienced faculty members and advanced simulation labs makes Nova Southeastern University an ideal destination for world-class dental education.
Essential Skills For A Dental Career
To succeed as a dentist, you must possess the following skills:
1. Communication skill
Being an effective communicator will enable you to succeed in this career. You convey your message to patients through words and speeches effectively.
This skill can also enable you to converse effectively with patients when ascertaining what is wrong with them. Communicating vital details is essential for a dental practice.
2. Interpersonal skill
As a dentist, you must develop the capacity to work in a team structure. If you are put in charge of a team, ensure that no one is kept in the dark about developments.
On the other hand, if you are working under the supervision of a senior professional, ensure that you don’t frustrate the effort of others by approaching your work with a lackadaisical attitude.
Furthermore, possessing interpersonal skills will help you connect better with your clients.
3. Empathy
Always uphold the virtue of empathy when discharging your duties as a dentist.
Ensure that you adapt when needed to suit the emotional desires of your patients and try to show care and concern about their welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Dental Schools In Florida
The University of Mississippi dental school, Eastern Carolina University school of dental medicine, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City are the three most accessible dental schools to enter in the US.
The median salary of a dentist in Florida is about $180,000, according to salary.com.
The best US state to work as a dentist in Rhode Island, with the average salary of a dentist in this state reportedly about $260,000 yearly.
Spain, Brazil, Belgium, the UK, and Switzerland are the best countries to practice dentistry.
Conclusion
Choosing a career in dentistry is satisfying.
It is one of the top career paths in the world right now, even though the time and money required to complete dental school and the physical requirements of the job may discourage some people from venturing into this field.
Some of the most significant dental colleges in the United States are in Florida. This article has outlined the criteria prospective students must meet to be considered for admission.
Nevertheless, to succeed as a dentist, ensure you develop the skills discussed above and detail orientation.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
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