This is Youniversity TV. I'm Shana and today I'm going to find out what it's like to be a dentist. Are you ready? Welcome to Doctor Geneva White's private dental practice in Lake Worth, Florida. Doctor White's main job is to prevent, identify, and treat teeth and mouth problems. Can you show me any of the equipment that you use on a daily basis? You know when you're checking for cavities?
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This is a shiny mirror thing.
Ok. Dentists also use x-rays to examine patient's teeth. What are we going to be looking for in the x-rays?
We look for cavities, we look for extra teeth, tumors.
Dentists typically work four to five days a week. Like Doctor White, most are solo practitioners who employee hygienists and assistants. Are you doing cleanings and?
No.
Ok.
Just, well she does the cleanings and I assist.
Ok. So whatever she needs. In order to practice dentistry, you must have a license. The first step is hitting the books. How long did it take to go through dental school? How many years is it?
It's four years of dental school. You do pre med or pre dental when you're in college.
After that, you need to pass written and practical exams. So what is the best part about being a dentist for you?
I think the, the self-reliance and being able to set your own hours and still make a good income.
Salary dentists earn about 130000 dollars per year. Between a competitive salary and a bright job outlook, becoming a dentist is not a bad idea. Over the next 10 years, more dentists are expected to retire, leaving more jobs open for you. Students, if you want to be a dentist, these should be your strong subjects.
You have to be good at science.
Doctor White also adds art to the list.
If you're not artistically inclined, you're going to make Mister Ed instead of a nice set of front teeth.
Speaking of front teeth, remember when you lost yours and the teeth fairy paid you a visit? The going rate is 2 dollars per tooth, a fun fact all future dentists should know. Still not sure whether dentistry is for you? I decided to give it a try. Right now, I'm making a wax bite. This is just one of the cool things you get to do as a dentist. I'm Shana, see you guys later.
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