While dentistry requires skill, artistry and technical ability, it is primarily a helping profession where you will often have more interaction with patients than doctors and nurses. It is also an occupation that primarily derives its income from self employment, meaning good dentists will also be good business people with sales skills. A skilled dentist not only needs to be able to provide patients with options but also the encouragement to purchase those products and services; an aspect that makes dentistry quite a bit different than medicine in British Columbia. This is a classic example of where our understanding of an occupation splits from the day-to-day reality. The statistics demonstrate that the longer a dentist practices the interpersonal aspects of their job, the more their income will rise as they improve their speed, develop a comfort with the sales aspects of the work and build their patient base. Simply put, a likable dentist will be far more successful than a quiet, socially awkward dentist. By the year 2015, it is estimated there will be 3,880 dentists in British Columbia and growth is expected to continue even further. The growth rate per year is pegged at 2.5% and this level matches even the fastest growing health care occupations. As residents get older, the need for dental care becomes more pronounced and this is one of the key factors in the profession's growth. Approximately 30% (1 in 3) dentists are women and this level is growing. Dentistry also has a higher level of part-time employment, likely because dentistry lends itself better to self employment in comparison to other health care occupations. Dentistry is a strong occupation with excellent employment outcomes. Given that UBC's dental school maintains very high expectations, interested applicants will need to have excellent grades and academic achievements. This platform creates an excellent income where dentists today earn incomes from $60,000 to $175,000 per year. Without question, dentistry has an excellent future. If you have the academic ability to complete the program, you're a born entrepreneur, with strong interest in oral health and a desire to work with people, this career will provide you with great opportunities. |