Dentists are in high demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of dentists will increase by 24% between 2014 and 2024 because of an aging population and growing interest in cosmetic dentistry.
But if you’re a dentist who’s looking for something new, or just want to make sure your skills stay sharp, here are some alternative careers for dentists that might interest you:
- Medical Laboratory Technician
A medical laboratory technician is someone who works with medical professionals to ensure that lab samples are correctly analyzed and interpreted. This position often requires working with hazardous materials, so it’s important to have proper training and certification. The median annual wage for this job is $50,690 as of May 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists by preparing prescriptions for customers and filling them out at the counter. They also help manage inventory and recordkeeping tasks within the pharmacy business itself. The median annual wage for this job is $29,910 as of May 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Software Engineer
Software engineers create computer programs that perform various functions such as word processing or database management on computers or other devices such as smartphones or tablets,
Alternative Careers For Dentists
1. Insurance coordinator
National average salary: $39,032 per year
Primary duties: An insurance coordinator works with patients, health care providers and insurance agencies to resolve payments and coordinate claims. They’re responsible for researching insurance plans, documenting insurance plan details, processing and submitting claims, contacting patients about financial balances and answering insurance-related questions. Insurance coordinators play an important role in ensuring that patients, practitioners and insurance providers make and receive correct payments on time. Most of these professionals have skills regarding computer software usage and knowledge of common insurance policies. Dentists with experience working with insurance companies may transition into this career because of their knowledge of insurance policies.
2. Patient administration specialist
National average salary: $48,849 per year
Primary duties: Patient administration specialists perform clerical duties such as processing client paperwork and compiling reports. Their work involves collecting paperwork from patients, ensuring patients accurately fill out paperwork, entering patient data into databases and creating data reports for medical providers. In some positions, patient administrators may also process paperwork related to patient admission to a hospital or clinic and their discharge details. This job requires strong clerical skills, such as organization and computer literacy. Dentists looking to transition into an administrative role where they can apply their knowledge of patient documentation and support services may enjoy this position.
3. Professor
National average salary: $53,274 per year
Primary duties: Dentists with a passion for educating and training aspiring dental professionals may consider becoming a professor. Dental professors work for higher education institutions like universities and dental schools to teach students looking to become dentists. Their responsibilities include preparing lesson plans, delivering lectures, coordinating clinical practices, answering student questions and guiding students through their education. Some professors may also perform independent research studies. They conduct research, publish their findings in academic journals and present their research at professional conferences. This can be a great alternative career option for dentists looking to advance their careers.
Related: Learn About Being an Adjunct Professor
4. Health care manager
National average salary: $64,924 per year
Primary duties: Health care managers oversee the management of a health care facility, like a clinic or hospital. They study the most recent laws and regulations and ensure that their facility complies with all standards of health care provision. These professionals manage budgets, identify staffing needs, coordinate between practitioners and executives and develop systems that ensure their facility operates effectively. They may also determine their facility’s technology needs and choose IT systems that best support their establishment’s operations. Dentists may qualify for this role at institutions that offer dental care, though they may need additional training in health care management.
5. Medical writer
National average salary: $70,073 per year
Primary duties: Medical writers are qualified professionals who craft scientific documents for the medical field. They often write documents that explain laws and regulations determined by government agencies, but they can also publish documents on medical research or general interest pieces. Some medical writers specialize in writing instruction manuals for using medical equipment or how to take prescription medications. These professionals know how to adapt messages for different audiences to suit their comprehension needs. Many medical writers have experience working as health care professionals, such as doctors, nurses and dentists. This career may have part-time and freelance options.
6. Health care consultant
National average salary: $76,797 per year
Primary duties: A health care consultant is an analyst who collaborates with a medical facility to understand its goals, strengths and weaknesses. They use their knowledge of health care systems to assess an institution’s current operations and expansion goals to recommend strategies for growth. These professionals also study legal policies and regulations to ensure that facilities remain up-to-date on the most recent operational standards. Health care consultants typically work with executives and administrators to understand how a facility’s directors want to expand their establishments. They conduct research, prepare reports and meet with directors to recommend strategies for reaching their goals.
Related: Learn About Being a Consultant
7. Medical sales executive
National average salary: $76,979 per year
Primary duties: Medical sales executives oversee companies that provide medical equipment to health care practitioners. A medical sales executive determines what products their company offers, establishes pricing strategies and develops sales strategies that help them meet their profit goals. Depending on their place of employment, they may specialize in working with a particular type of equipment or within a certain area of health care. For example, a medical sales executive may work with a company that specializes in selling dental tools and X-ray equipment. Having experience working as a dentist may benefit those working as dental equipment sales professionals.
8. Research scientist
National average salary: $82,476 per year
Primary duties: A research scientist conducts studies that contribute new knowledge to their field of study. Depending on their level of qualification, some scientists design studies and implement them to gather data and draw conclusions about the subject of their research. Other research associates work under the direction of a senior researcher or principal researcher. These scientists follow the senior researcher’s experimental design to conduct studies, collect and analyze data and prepare reports for the lead researcher to interpret. For dentists with a passion for scientific research, transitioning into a researcher career can be a great option.
Related: Learn About Being a Laboratory Scientist
9. Product development engineer
National average salary: $87,779 per year
Primary duties: Product development engineers design new products for various commercial sectors, such as the dental and health care industries. Professionals working in dental product development create products that solve problems in dentistry. They may develop equipment that helps dental professionals perform their work better, or they may create products that support the oral health of patients. For example, a product development engineer may create a new type of dental adhesive for bonding braces to a patient’s teeth. Since experienced dentists understand the types of products and equipment that most benefit their practices, they can make excellent product development engineers.
