Fixing people's chompers is rewarding, says ADA executive director Dr Robert Butler, particularly for those who are people-oriented and enjoy combining artistry with science, and for those with strengths in science and mathematics. While salary levels are also a lure, they're not as high as generally perceived. Diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and abnormalities of teeth, gums and mouth and undertaking preventive procedures is still the main work of dentists, but mass fluoridisation and technological improvements have changed the way dentists operate. Because there is so much preventative work done and people's teeth are in better health, we don't need as many dentists now. We think it's changed for the better.
Many graduates work at different practices to make up the hours until they find full-time jobs.
The New Zealand Dentists' Association issues a stronger warning, saying opportunities for employment in the dental profession in Australia are extremely limited, as there is an over-supply of dentists in all states. Nevertheless part-time work suits some dentists. Five years of university training at either the universities of Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Western Australia are required to become a dentist. From next year, the University of Sydney will introduce a four-year, graduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery, requiring entrants to have passed the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test, and be interviewed. To practise dentistry in Australia, you also must be registered in the state in which you intend to work.