Some students open private practices when they graduate. Wages vary according to training, experience and location. Entry wages may be lower. Starting wage is unavailable at this time. Pay varies by the number of years of experience and the dental specialty.
Many dentists are self-employed.
Like most business owners, they must provide their own health insurance and retirement benefits. The cost of establishing a practice is high and a dentist's income during the first few years may be low. Thus many dentists work in group practices until they have enough money to open their own offices. There were 1,310 people employed as dentists in Indiana in 1998. It is estimated that between 1996 and 2006, about 51 jobs per year will need to be filled in this occupation.