Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Prosthodontist
No one likes to think about growing old, the inevitable—if fortunate enough to reach old age.  Old age is often associated with and accompanied by increased health issues, especially dental (loss of teeth).  But, advances in medicine and dentistry have created options for those who lose teeth, not having to rely on the one-size-fits-all dentures of the past.  If you are interested in becoming a Dentist, have an affinity for the elderly, and excel in Science, Math, and Health, then a career as a Prosthodontist would be a great fit.

Prosthodontists are Dentists who specialize in crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, dental implants, and oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures in an effort to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function (chewing, speaking, etc.), and to improve appearance.  They perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones, extract teeth, and make models and take measurements of permanent and removable fixtures to replace missing teeth.  Tools and equipment include:  x-ray machines, face-bows, dental articulators, drills, mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels.

The duties of a Prosthodontist include but are not limited to:  repairing cracked or fractured teeth and removing teeth; bleaching/whitening and placing sealants on teeth; giving patients anesthetics to numb pain during procedures; performing surgery to insert dental implants; writing prescriptions for medications; examining x-rays of teeth, gums, and jaws; making models and taking measurements and impressions for dental appliances (dentures, etc.) to fit patients; designing, fabricating, fitting, adjusting, and repairing dental prostheses; placing veneers onto teeth to conceal defects; using bonding technology on the surface of teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps;​ collaborating with General Dentists, other specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns; replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures (crowns, bridges, dental implants, etc.) or removable fixtures (dentures, bridges, etc); restoring function and aesthetics to and correcting oral deformities of traumatic injury victims or individuals with diseases or birth defects; educating patients about diet and dental care; and conducting research and teaching at universities.

High school students interested in becoming a Prosthodontist benefit from taking Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology/Anatomy, Nutrition, Health, Chemistry, and Physics.  Students entering Pre-Dentistry Bachelor's of Science programs with no previous Dentistry training should expect a period of 4 years to complete said program.  Prosthodontists must be licensed in all states; requirements vary by state.  To qualify for a license in most states, applicants must graduate from an accredited 4-year dental school and pass written and practical exams.  Before legally practicing Prosthodontic dentistry, graduates must complete additional training in the form of a 3-to-4-year Prosthodontic residency program.  Licensure must be attained in this specialty, which also mandates completion of a special state licensing exam (from the state in which you wish to practice).    

Prosthodontists work in small private offices or clinics and may spend time performing surgery at hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers.  Those with private practices employ and supervise Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Laboratory Technicians, and Receptionists.

A large number of Dentists is set to retire, yet the population of aging baby-boomers needing complicated dental work is on the rise.  And as studies continue to link oral health to overall health, the employment of Prosthodontists, though expected to grow 21 percent over the next decade, will not keep pace with the increased demand for their services.  Job prospects will be particularly good for those practicing in rural, low-income, and under-served areas, where patients still have little access to dental care.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $147,500

Salary Range:  ~$94,500 - $205,900+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming a Prosthodontist have been to attain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Pre-Dentistry, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Biochemistry, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pre-Medical (Dentistry concentration), Physics, Biology (Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Health Professions, or Medical Technology concentration), Chemistry (Pre-Dentistry concentration), or Medical Technology.

All dental schools require applicants to have completed certain required science courses, such as Biology and Chemistry.  Majoring in a science, such as Biology, might increase the chances of being accepted, but no specific major is required to enter most dental programs.

College students who plan on applying to dental school must take the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) during their junior year.  Dental schools use the DAT, GPA, and recommendations to admit students into their programs.  Required classes in dental schools include:  Local Anesthesia, Anatomy, Periodontology, and Radiology.  All dental schools include practice where students work with patients in a clinical setting under the supervision of a Licensed Dentist.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have a School of Dentistry and related undergraduate majors are:  Howard University (Washington, DC); Meharry Medical College (Nashville, Tennessee); Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, California); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); Albany State University (Albany, Georgia); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Paine College (Augusta, Georgia); and Morris College (Sumter, South Carolina).
Available Scholarships