Duties and Responsibilities
Prosthodontics is one of the nine recognized dental specialties that deal with diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, maintenance and restoration of normal oral function in the patient. A prosthodontist mainly specializes in restoration of normal oral function. Prosthodontist duties include the diagnosis and planning of dental procedures to be taken. Construction of prosthesis, like dentures, crowns and implants, are the main ways of restoring normal oral functioning.
Work Environment
Prosthodontists either work in private practice or in conjunction with a group of other dental practioners. Others can be found in hospitals, clinics, military environments, government agencies and research facilities. They typically conduct practice in small rooms or in large rooms with dividers for privacy. Very rarely will a Prosthodontist be working behind a desk unless he is working at a university.
Employment Opportunities
Prosthodontist opportunities could be found in local hospitals, government (careers in the military) and private practice through clinics. With the numerous conflicts that the US military is currently engaged, the need for prosthodontists is increasing. Changing attitudes towards beauty and self care has also made a career in orthodontist a profitable one.
How much does a Prosthodontist make - Prosthodontist Salary and Wages
The Prosthodontist salary range mainly varies with their experience and years in service. Prosthodontist who have less than one year experience get a Prosthodontist salary range of about $130,000 a year. Prosthodontist who have one to four years experience on the other hand get $135,000 per year compared to $140,000 for those with five to nine years experience. Prosthodontist who show ten to nineteen year experiences have $150,000 a year to $140,000 for those with twenty years or more experience. Generally prosthodontist who have 4 years or less of experience have $4,000 bonuses. Those in the 5 to 9 year brackets have $10,000 and those in the 10 to 19 years experience have a slight advantage. Prosthodontist who have been practicing for more than 20 years have the greatest bonuses in the $16000 range.
How to become a Prosthodontist
Educational and Training
The American College of Prosthodontist (ACP) sets the guidelines and standards for members of this field to obtain a Prosthodontist degree. An individual must first be a certified Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM). An additional 3 years of postgraduate studies is required. Training consists of rigorous Prosthodontist courses in the field of basic science, human anatomy of the neck and head, esthetics, biomedical sciences, bio material sciences, normal physiology and function of the mouth. Planning and treatment for dental disorders or those that affect normal oral function is reinforced.
Passing four examinations consisting of one written and 3 oral examinations are required by the American College of Prosthodontist (ACP) for Prosthodontist qualifications. Two examinations, one oral and one written, maybe taken during the third year of postgraduate study and the remaining two after. Upon approval by the ACP the application is good for 6 years. There are only 800 dentists that are certified by the ACP, they are called diplomates and thus making them highly specialized in this field.
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Prosthodontist Resources
ACP - American College of Prosthodontists