Your Future as a Dentist

The general dentist is the primary oral health care provider, supported by specialists, allied dental professionals, and other health care providers. The future general dentist must be able to address healthcare issues beyond traditional oral healthcare and must be able to practice evidence-based, comprehensive dentistry independently and collaboratively with the goal of improving the health of society. The general dentist must have a broad interdisciplinary biomedical and clinical education and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors and effective communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, they must be able to evaluate and utilize emerging technologies, continuing professional development opportunities, and problem-solving and critical thinking skills to effectively address current and future issues in healthcare.

The Pacific Northwest has large areas that are dentally underserved. The SDM’s unique mission, to train primary care dentists to practice in rural and underserved areas, will help improve oral health awareness and access to oral health care for the region’s population.

ASDA Contour Magazine article: Is Rural Dentistry Right for You?