Champlain Valley AHEC is continually seeking ways to improve our services and programs. We are eager to hear your comments and questions. You can email us directly at and we will get back to you promptly.
Champlain Valley AHEC is continually seeking ways to improve our services and programs. We are eager to hear your comments and questions. You can email us directly at and we will get back to you promptly.
Health Careers Spotlight:
Dentists are mouth specialists. Besides providing oral exams and filling cavities, dentists are licensed to prescribe medications and other forms of treatment. They screen patients for cancers and disorders of the jaw and bones around the face. Dentistry also makes use of high tech equipment to help people keep or restore proper oral health. A big part of what dentists do is focused on prevention - actually helping people decrease their need for dental care. They use preventive procedures such as fluoride treatments, and they teach their patients how to take good care of their gums and teeth to avoid problems between checkups. 
Where you might work: The majority of dentists are general practitioners; about 20% are specialists who limit their practices to such specialties as: orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, public health dentistry, oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology. Dentists work in clinics, federal government facilities, hospitals, for the military, in private and non-profit practices, for research facilities, and in teaching institutions.
Salary Notes: Most dentists earn $70,000 - $150,000 per year. Salaries depend upon location, specialization and experience. A dentist's average income is in the highest five percent of US family income. Employment for dentists is projected to grow as fast as average nationally; demand for dental services is very high in Vermont.
Education, Licensing & Certification: For those interested in a career as a dentist, high school and undergraduate course work should focus on math and science. Most dental students get a bachelors degree first, though some dental schools only require two years of college before admission. Dental school takes four years to complete. Specialization usually requires an additional two to four years of training. Lastly, candidates must pass a standard national exam and a regional exam in the area where they wish to practice. Students may incur a debt load for dental education as high as $150,000-$200,000 but many states, including Vermont, offer educational loan repayment options in exchange for service commitments working with underserved populations.
For more information on a career as a dentist or another health career in Vermont, please call .
(updated 3/11/09)
David Congalton, DDS was a general dentist at Richford Health Center (now working in Vergennes). David received his Bachelor of Science from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He then attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. David then completed his General Practice Dental Residency at the University of Vermont.
We interviewed David for the Summer 2005 version of The Convener to discuss his experiences working in the field of Dentistry.
Q How did you become interested in becoming a Dentist?
A Exploring career options while in college, a dentist I knew thought I'd be a great dentist - so I looked into it more closely.
Q How long have you been working as a Dentist?
A Five years now.
Q What other career alternatives did you consider?
A Carpentry. I have always enjoyed tinkering with tools and machines.
Q Did any person influence your decision to become a Dentist?
A Yes - Dr. Morgan, a dentist in Colorado. He is the one who suggested to me a career in dentistry.
Q What personal needs are satisfied by your occupation?
A I can see the difference immediately. If someone comes in with pain or a cosmetic issue, I can usually help them and within an hour I can see the problem resolved.
Q If you could have chosen any occupation (no limits) what would it be?
A I always wanted to learn to build wooden boats. It seemed like an uncertain future so I decided I would reserve that for later in life.
Q If you didn't have to work, would you anyway? If not, what would you do?
A Yes, I would work. Maybe not full time. After a day at the office, I always come home tired, but I always feel like I made a difference for my patients. I always want to be a contributing part of the community.
Q Describe the demands of your job...
A Practicing general dentistry is hard work. We work 32-40 hours per week. Dentistry is not an exact science, we often have to problem-solve as we go, while at the same time staying on schedule. Not only do we have nervous patients to deal with, but oftentimes there are staff issues. So as a dentist we wear several different hats.
Q What is a typical day for you?
A First thing in the morning we review charts with the lab assistants, and discuss each patients' treatments for that day. We prepare lab work and be sure all supplies that were ordered for the cases have arrived. Once patients start arriving I will typically work between two rooms with two assistants and in between I'll check patients that are in with the two hygienists. In addition, there are always emergencies that need to be seen, so we are constantly looking for a place to put them.
Q Do you supervise the work of others?
A I typically oversee all aspects of clinical work. We have two hygienists, three assistants, and a receptionist. Because I am ultimately responsible for all treatment provided, I oversee all work with patients carefully. When you are the owner of the practice, you have to oversee the financials at the end of the day too.
Q What personal characteristics are desirable to be a good Dentist?
A You need to be task-oriented, thorough, patient, compassionate, caring, generous, hardworking, and generally likeable.
Q What special knowledge or skill does a person in this job need?
A You need some degree of dexterity. Hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills are a must. In some respects you are called upon to be an artist. In this cosmetic age people often want a certain look and you have to be able to achieve that for them.
Q What kinds of people do you work with? Coworkers, clients, patients...?
A Generally we work with patients of all types. We have patients that are easy to work with and some that make us wonder why we ever entered this profession. Like I said, you have to really like people. The dentist is usually the owner and the boss so everyone else is the staff. A dental office can have anywhere from one to twenty employees.
Q What do you like best about your career and what aspects of being a Dentist cause you the most frustration?
A I like that people really appreciate the work we do (usually when it's done). It feels good to provide something that, no matter what, everyone needs. The most stressful part is managing staff. And the overhead of running an office is very expensive.
Q What high school classes should be taken to prepare for this health career?
A Science. You need to take as much as you can.
Q What requirements exist, in addition to schooling - training, experience, certification, license to become a Dentist?
A When you graduate from dental school, you receive your DDS (doctor of dental surgery), then you can go on and specialize or you can go right into practice as a general dentist. The only obstacle to practice is getting your license. We have to take licensure examinations for the state we want to practice in. These exams are not easy, but once licensed, that's it - no more tests.
Q What are the career ladder possibilities in this field?
A You come out at the top. You may start out working for someone, but eventually you will own your own practice.
Q Can a person specialize within the field of Dentistry? Into what areas?
A You can become any of the following specialists:
Q How does the economy impact Dentistry?
A It doesn't affect us too much. People never stop drinking soda and eating candy.
Q What other occupations are related to Dentistry?
A Dental hygienists, dental assistants, office managers, and dental lab techs.
Q Can a person work flexible hours?
A You can do anything you want. Work one day or six days a week. We can always find work and you will be paid well.
Q What advice would you give someone who is planning to enter the Dentistry field?
A Do well in school. Getting into dental school is competitive. You should take science classes early on and see if you like them, as you will take all of them if you go through dental school. You need to have a strong work ethic; it's not an easy , laid-back profession.
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