Dentists have been ranked head and shoulders above all others professionals. According to U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of the 100 Best Jobs of 2015, dentists earned the top spot for their field’s outstanding rates of job creation, median salary, employment, job prospects, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and stress level. While 2014 saw dentist ranked as the top job in the healthcare industry, 2015 marks the first year that dentist ranked as the best job over all other careers.
Dentists are in higher demand than ever due to the nation’s increasing need for both preventative and restorative dental care, as well as the rapidly growing desire for cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening. Dentists are valued for much more than their ability to care for teeth, but also the way a dental exam can help to detect undiagnosed diseases such as oral cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
As a result of these dental needs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts more than 23,000 new job openings for dentists through 2022.
Along with a high rate of employment is the high compensation a dentist receives. Dentists earned a median salary of $146,340 in 2013. And while dentists in private practices are notably well paid, dentists in other types of healthcare settings are also paid well.
Finally, the many professional rewards for a dentist are matched by the numerous personal benefits. According to the report, dentists enjoy a healthy work-life balance and low levels of stress. Altogether, this provides dentists with great job satisfaction.
Clearly, there’s never been a better time to both be and become a dentist.
