1. The Life of a Dentist Jackie Kwapisz Hour 1 1/20/11 Career Tech Foundations

2. Introduction • 78 percent of Americans have at least one cavity by age 17. Who is going to fill all those cavities and prevent further ones from occurring? That’s where I come in. I want to be a dentist and I will work as hard as I can to achieve that goal. I first got interested in the dental field when I went to the dentist office one day for a check up. I used to be scared of the dentist but then one day I realized something… Dentists are not there to hurt you, they are actually there to help. I really enjoyed learning that and something just clicked and then I decided I wanted to be a dentist. In order to explore my career I will need to research; working conditions; training, qualifications, advancements; job outlook/employment; earnings; and related occupations.

3. Nature of Work • Give advice to prevent future problems • Fill cavities • Examine X-rays • Straighten teeth (braces) • Perform surgeries such as root canals • Use x-ray machines • Use drills, forceps and scalpels • Make molds for dentures

4. Working Conditions • Own their own businesses • Indoor office environment • Physical and mental • 4-5 days a week (about 40 hours a week) • Small staff

5. Training, Qualifications, Advancement • Bachelor's degree • At least 2 years of college to enter dental school • Dental school = 4 years • University of Michigan School of Dentistry • High school courses in: Dentist program at Lake Shore, biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics

6. Job Outlook/ Employment • Faster than average growth rate • Demand will increase 16% by 2018 • New technology = more work • Good job prospects • Younger dentists - take over work of retired dentists • Competition = keen (dental school) • Hopefully career openings in Florida • most graduates- buy established practices immediately • Own my own office

7. Earnings • Lifestyle goals: • Earn enough money to support myself and my family • Own my own apartment or house • Own a decent car (2004 Ford Escape) • Money: • This career fits my lifestyle goals  • $58,790 - $161,020 • Earnings vary • Self employed dentists make more than salaried dentists • First purchase: Apartment in Florida

8. Related Occupations • Pediatrician • Specialize in diagnosis's • Care for health of infants-young adults • concentrate on treatments • Track patients growth • Treat day to day illnesses • Take care of minor injuries • Treat diseases and immunizations • 8-12 hours a day • 5 days a week • Average yearly salary about $186,044

9. Summary • The thing that I look forward to the most is owning my own office and being my own boss. The thing that I look forward to the least is causing pain to patients. I want to work with children and be a pediatric dentist but it will be make me sad when I have to do painful procedures on them, even though it’s for the best. Overall, I have learned a lot throughout this project and I definitely am sure that I want to be a dentist.

10. Works Cited • http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm • http://starsmilez.com/blog/more-fun-dental-facts/