Being a dentist is incredibly rewarding.

Ask dentists what they love about their job, and you’ll get a hundred different answers. From the patients to the science, there are plenty of reasons to love what we do. So much so that dentistry is ranked in the top 10 best jobs in the U.S., and it has been there repeatedly for some time now. Personally, we’re not surprised, and we’re here to share 7 reasons why.

1. Rewarding Career

Dentistry is a career where the work itself is incredibly rewarding. Proper dental hygiene or dental work can make a huge difference in people’s lives. A survey showed that more than half of Americans feel insecure about their teeth. It’s our mission to change that, as shown by our smile gallery.

Helping patients feel confident with their smile can make a huge difference in their self-confidence. So of course knowing we get to be a part of that is one of our favorite parts of the job. Besides the aesthetics of a smile, though, we also get to help relieve many patients from pain or perform restorative work so people can enjoy their favorite foods again without worry or discomfort.

So whether it’s fixing an insecurity, relieving pain, or brightening someone’s teeth, seeing how much our patients love their end results is by far the best part of the job for many dentists.

2. Kids will be kids.

…and we love them for it. Being a pediatric dentist is a world away from treating adults. Kids are unpredictable, hilarious, and sometimes downright uncooperative. It certainly keeps us on our toes, to say the least.

But dentistry for children gives us the chance to instill healthy dental hygiene habits for life. We can encourage kids to undertake healthy dental habits at a young age and look after their teeth at home. This helps children grow into adulthood with great oral health, which, of course, we find rewarding.

One of the other things we love about pediatric dentistry, in particular, is being able to create a comfortable atmosphere, warm experience, and fond memories that will create a love of the dentist and an interest in lifelong dental care.

It’s estimated that around 36% of the population struggles with dental anxiety, and a further 12% suffer from extreme dental fear. This is why we do our absolute best to make every child’s visit a fun and memorable one. We think the work we do with children by giving them positive experiences of trips to the dentist makes all the difference.

3. New Technology

Dentistry has changed a lot since we first started practicing decades ago.The healthcare industry has been revolutionized by technology, and dentistry is no exception.

Our equipment is state of the art, and we love using it. But it’s not just the actual equipment that’s changed the way we do dentistry. Automation in our software processes means we can always remind patients about checkups and appointments. This ensures our patients stay on top of their oral hygiene and it allows us to deliver the best possible service. As well as the above, it’s now becoming popular to use movie goggles or VR headsets to help put scared patients at ease. How cool is that?!

4. Our Team

It’s difficult to love where you work if you don’t love who you work with. Most of our team has been together for more years than we’d care to admit! Our team is professional and experienced but, most of all, friendly—to both our clients and each other. Having a great support system at work brings out the very best in us all.

5. Research and Education

The client side of dentistry is just one aspect of it. Many dentists contribute to the future of oral health with dental research and education. Dental researchers help contribute to the new techniques and technologies we mentioned earlier, discovering new ways to improve and maintain oral health for everyone.

Meanwhile, dental educators have the opportunity to teach the next generation of dentists. The person you learn from makes a huge impact on how you carry out your practice later on. It’s an extremely important and rewarding aspect of the career.

Even if we’re not contributing to teaching new dentists, we’re still required to attend educational seminars or classes on a regular basis. This is thanks to the new technologies we mentioned above.

6. Artistry

We know not everyone will think of dentistry as a form of art, but we certainly do. Though the importance of having functional and healthy teeth cannot be understated, much of dentistry is aesthetic-based. It’s the blend of art and science that makes a great smile. What we mean by all this is not just any dentist can give you the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. It has to be both functional and beautiful. Dr. Staley has spent his career priding himself on doing just that!

7. You

Our seventh and final reason is you, the patients. Getting to know you and help you feel more confident about your smile causes us to smile in return. New, old, and everything in between, you’re a big part of why we love our job. In some instances, we’ve worked with patients from when they were just children. So of course we’re invested in their lives beyond their teeth!

Find the right dentist for you and your family today!

If you’re looking for local dentists in Boise, ID, we’d love to welcome you to our practice. Please call us for any dental-related questions or emergencies, and remember we can still schedule routine appointments in advance. We’re here for you, and we miss your beautiful smiles!