All you need to know about a career as a dentist
Lowdown
Dentists are healthcare professionals who provide preventive and restorative treatments for problems affecting the mouth and teeth. According to a report published by Dental Economics, the dental care system will further evolve in the next 20 years than in the previous 50 years as the rates of dental visits by patients continue to edge upward
Institutes
* King George’s Medical University, Lucknow;
www.kgmu.org
* All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi;
www.aiims.edu
* Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi; www.mamc.ac.in
Eligibility
Take up biology in Class 11 and continue with it in Class 12. Thereafter, you need to clear the entrance test for BDS (bachelor of dental surgery), followed by MDS (master of dental surgery). The diploma courses after BDS also have great prospects and enhance the career growth of aspiring dentists. Dentists can also set up their own private practice
Skills and traits
* The ability to communicate information about oral hygiene and treatments to patients in a clear and articulate manner
* Good manual dexterity, eyesight and a steady hand
* Good physical coordination and stamina
* Excellent knowledge of the science of oral health
The daily drill
A dentist identifies and corrects diseases concerning the teeth and takes care of oral hygiene
Rs. I take home
Rs. 4 lakh- Rs. 30 lakh per annum
Expert gyan
With the world becoming more aware of the importance of oral health, dentistry is a very lucrative medical field. Constant upgradation of knowledge is key