Careers in Dentistry

The NJDA and the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services have joined forces to create a resource called Exposing Diverse Students to Oral Health Professions.  In it, both guidance counselors and high school students can explore the wide array of careers in the dental profession along with the many New Jersey-specific facts, statistics and resources that will allow students to take action and control of their career choices. Learn more.

Dentistry offers a rewarding career in an exciting field. Opportunities in the oral health care delivery system abound including the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research of oral diseases. In the 21st century, dentistry will provide an even broader variety of options to individuals involved in the oral health sciences.

With the many innovative advances in technology, dynamic changes in dentistry are eagerly anticipated by dental professionals and patients, alike.

The future of dentistry is bright and promises you a gratifying career.

The purpose of this electronic career resource guide is to acquaint you with the variety of career opportunities offered in the field of dentistry.

In addition, an array of specialty and postgraduate options are described with lists of contacts and references which may be used to address some of your questions.

We sincerely hope that this information will stimulate and assist your exploration of the many career options available in dentistry.

Dentist

Dentists are licensed professionals in the art and science of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, diseases, and disorders of the oral cavity, the maxillofacial region, and its associated structures as it relates to human beings. Several years of post bachelor’s training in a university (usually 4-8) and some practical experience working with actual patients' are required to become a qualified dentist. In addition to general dentistry, there are nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association and require 2-6 years of residency training after dental school. The specialties are: Dental Public Health, Pedodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, and Orthodontics.

New Jersey-Area Dental Schools

UMDNJ – New Jersey Dental School
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
New York University College of Dentistry
Temple University School of Dentistry
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive care. Most hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia, depending on the applicable regulations in their area. Cleanings, radiographs, sealants, scalings, and root planings are among some of the procedures frequently performed by a hygienist. In New Jersey, a hygienist must be supervised by a dentist. To learn about the New Jersey Dental Hygienists' Association, go to www.njdha.org.

New Jersey-Based Accredited Schools for Dental Hygiene

Bergen County Community College
Department of Dental Hygiene
400 Paramus Road, S-337
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 447-7937
http://www.bergen.edu

Burlington County College
Department of Dental Hygiene
601 Pemberton Browns Mills Road
Pemberton, NJ 08068
(609) 894-9311
http://www.bcc.edu

Camden County College
Department of Dental Hygiene
Box 200
Little Gloucester Road
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(856) 227-7200
http://www.camdencc.edu

Middlesex County College
Department of Dental Hygiene
2600 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, NJ 08818
(732) 906-2580
http://www.middlesex.cc.nj.us/

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Department of Dental Hygiene
1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07090
(908) 889-2410
http://shrp.umdnj.edu/

Dental Assistant

The dental assistant’s job duties may include preparing patients for exams and dental procedures, sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, preparing dental instrument trays, preparing materials for dental impressions, taking x-rays, and performing other procedures under the direct supervision of the dentist.  Most dentist offices have a dental assistant appointed to be in charge of infection control measures, and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations. Dental front and back office duties may include appointment scheduling, welcoming patients, maintaining treatment records, patient billing and receivables, ordering and maintaining dental supplies and materials. In New Jersey, an assistant must be supervised by a dentist. To learn about the New Jersey Dental Assistants' Association, go to www.njdaa.org.

The NJDA offers a $1000 scholarship for qualified dental assistant students in New Jersey.
Click here to download the application and selection criteria.

New Jersey-Based Accredited Schools for Dental Assisting

Fortis Institute
201 Willowbrook Blvd.
Wayne NJ 07470
(973) 837-1818
http://www.fortis.edu

Fortis  Institute
2572 Brunswick Pike, Suite 100
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 
Phone: 609-512-2560
http://www.fortis.edu/campuses/career-training/2572-brunswick-pike-suite-100-lawrenceville-nj.aspx

Camden County College
P.O. Box 200
TAFT Building, Rm. 205
(856) 227-7200 ext. 4471, 4472
http://www.camdencc.edu/

Cumberland County Technical Education Center
601 Bridgeton Avenue
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
(856) 451-9000 ext. 346
http://www.cumberland.tec.nj.us/

Institute for Health Education
600 Pavonia Avenue, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(888) 443-2329
http://www.ihe.edu

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
School of Health Related Professions
Department of Allied Dental Education
1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-2411 or (908) 889-2504
http://shrp.umdnj.edu/