Being a dentist is rewarding because you ensure that everyone receives the best oral care so that their teeth are healthier. However, you don’t have to work as a dentist in order to have a career in dentistry. There are other dentistry careers that do not require advanced degrees and that pay you a decent salary. You’ll probably need to take courses at a community college and this is less expensive than a four-year college. You might also need certification from your state for certain dental careers.

Dental Assistant

A dental assistant is the person who helps the dentist treat patients. The assistant does clerical work, speaks with patients concerning dental procedures, takes X rays of teeth, cleans dental equipment, and performs lab tests at times. Dental assistants work mainly in hospitals and dental clinics and they have flexible schedules since most dental clinics close right before 5 pm. You receive training at a vocational college or community college and then you would get certified before you seek employment. The average annual salary is $34,000 although this varies by location, years of experience and your education.

Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist is responsible for cleaning patients’ teeth and examining them to determine if there are potential dangers lurking in patients’ teeth. They also educate patients on proper oral care before and after the dental procedure. In some dental clinics these duties are done by the dental assistant instead of the hygienist since the duties of the assistant and hygienist are similar. Their work hours are also similar to that of the dental assistant. To become a dental hygienist you would take courses at a community college and receive certification from your state.

With these two careers in dentistry, you can still help people achieve brighter smiles without spending so much time and money on a bachelor’s degree and medical school. You’ll still earn a good salary and you’ll have a nice work-life balance that regular doctors do not always experience.