After dental school, many dentists opt to continue their education and enter a dental residency program. This is not unlike medical school graduates who attend residency for two to eight years. The difference with a dental residency is that residency is not required. It is your choice to complete a residency or not.

Many would recommend completing at least a year of residency after dental school. The reason is that a residency provides a learning environment not found in dental school. In the third and fourth year of dental school, a student begins taking care of patients in a supervised environment. A student would perform basic tasks and see about three or so patients a day.

In a residency, a dental school graduate could see up to ten patients a day. This hospital environment is much more hectic than anything a student has experienced in dental school. It is a great way to practice your profession because although you are licensed to practice by yourself, a recent graduate cannot make up for lack of experience. Completing a residency allows a student to ask questions that an experienced dentist can answer right away.

The patients you see during your residency are also much different than in private practice. Usually a patient will have other health concerns other than their teeth. They may be on many different types of medication. This environment helps you hone your skills in providing the best care for your patient. You might have to converse with other doctors about your patient’s health before performing a procedure or writing a prescription.

A residency is also the path you take if you want to become more than a general dentist. Maybe you are interested in orthodontics or oral surgery. If you desire to specialize in a certain dental field then you must complete a residency. A residency allows you to apprentice with an experienced professional. This could take two to four years depending on your specialty.

Another career choice after dental school is private practice. Unlike medical school, a dental school graduate is licensed to practice immediately. You don’t have to complete a residency if you feel like you are ready for private practice.

Private practice means that you set up your own office and see your own clients. This is a good way if you are the entrepreneurial type. Remember that opening your own practice means that you will have to draw patients and hire staff. You may need a dental assistant, a front desk receptionist, and other staff. Don’t forget that there are startup costs in opening your own practice such as leasing office space and buying equipment. To reduce these costs, you can open a practice with other dentists.

There are different options out there for dental graduates. Research your next step and think about the lifestyle that you desire.

Review more industry related articles by Catherine Zandueta at CareersandEducation.com. Catherine Zandueta is a CareersandEducation.com feature writer that often covers topics relating to Campus and online degree programs and Career planning.

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