1. Jackie Kwapisz Hour 1 1/20/11 Career Tech Foundations
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
-fun-dental-facts/