Dentist - The 100 Best Jobs

A trip to the dentist can be a harrowing experience. The prospect of sharp instruments poking our gums or prodding our teeth can wreak havoc on the psyche. That’s why Dr. Maria Lopez Howell, D.D.S., urges her fellow dentists to stay attuned to patients’ needs and concerns. Howell has worked as a practicing dentist for 29 years and also serves as consumer advisor spokeswoman for the American Dental Association. According to her, this is the best way to gain a patient’s trust: “Always ask them what matters most to them, so you can make their appointments comfortable and less stressful,” she says. “At the end of the day, that’s what we want. We want our patients to be happy.”
 You might find a dentist at an outpatient care center or hospital, but you’re most likely to visit one at a private office or clinical setting. Dentists work alongside dental assistants, who help with record-keeping, sterilizing instruments, and teeth-cleaning. And like a dental hygienist, a dentist might also clean teeth and educate patients on proper dental care. Their other duties could also include extracting teeth, fitting dentures, and filling cavities. Some choose to specialize in areas that range from treating serious oral problems and diseases to straightening teeth and performing oral surgery.
 The need for professionals to examine our teeth, fill and (in some cases) refill our cavities isn’t fading. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 21 percent between 2010 and 2020, above the average for all occupations. Work opportunities are especially plentiful for those who work in traditional dentist offices and other health practitioner offices. There should be more than 25,000 new openings in this profession in the next eight years.
Salary
 According to the BLS, dentists earned $142,740 in 2011, or approximately $68.62 per hour. The best-paid earned more than $187,999, while the lowest-paid earned less than $74,490. Dentists who work in private offices are paid particularly well, but so are those who work alongside other health practitioners. Certain cities also compensate well—specifically, the metro areas of Manchester, N.H., Tyler, Texas, and Rocky Mount, N.C.Salary Range
Median $142,740