Every year, globally, there are innumerable dental students who finish their dental studies from their respective dental schools and enter the new phase of their career life known as the apprenticeship period. As soon as these students start their apprenticeship, they are referred to as ‘dental residents’. Although every one of them possesses the similar skill set and knowledge of their subject when they become dental residents, even then their salaries vary a lot.
As the dental students start their apprenticeship period, they are paid salaries regularly on weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly basis depending on the institute they are pursuing their residency in. Some of the countries and the estimate amount of salaries (in regards to their respective currencies) that are paid to the dental residents are:
USA (United States of America)
In countries like the United States of America, the dental residents like most of the other professionals are paid on a bi-weekly basis. The salary of dental resident in USA varies from $55,000-$82,000 annually depending upon the institute from where the apprenticeship is being done. The salaries of dental residents also vary in the different states across the country. For instance, the highest salaries are provided by states like Rhode Island ($84,000 – $92,000), Vermont ($82,000 – $88,000) and Alaska ($77,000 – $80,000). Other factors that vary the salaries are the experience of a dental residents, more the experienced a dental resident is more is the salary. In countries like these, the students have a choice to pursue their apprenticeship in the hospital or dental institute of their choice. They just have to apply to the hospitals of their choice, and the rest is dependent on the administrative staff whether or not to accept their application based on various aspects, like their GPA and clinical knowledge. Different states in the USA have different salaries across the country:
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the state of the USA which provides the highest salaries for their dental residents. Due to a developing state, the state dental board provides handsome salaries for the residents. The salaries vary from approximately $84,000 – $92,000 annually which estimates up to $60 – $80 per hour salary.
California
One of the most developed state, California too, provides great salaries for the dental residents. Due to being a densely populated state, it provides a wide variety of opportunities to the professionals like dentist, and thus high salaries for them. The dental residents in California make up to $60,000 – $75,000 annually. This variation depends upon the experience of each dental resident.
Kentucky
Kentucky comes second in having the lowest salaries for the dental residents in the USA. The reason being the low economic growth of this state, which leads to a salary towards the lower side. The average salary of the dental residents in Kentucky sums up to just $40,000 – $45,000 per year, making it a salary of around $45 per hour.
West Virginia
Regarding the state with the lowest salaries for the dental residents in the USA, West Virginia holds up the 1st place. The state dental board of West Virginia only provides a salary of $35,000 – $42,000 annually. The main reason behind this low salary rate is probably the population of the state, which leads up to lesser opportunities and thus fewer salaries. With an hourly wage of $35 – $40, it is the state with the lowest salary for the dental residents.
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be clearly seen that some countries pay higher amount of salaries to their dental residents than the others. As we know giving salaries is the way to appreciate a person’s skill set and knowledge, this can lead to inferiority complex in the minds of the dental residents of countries which do not earn that much. To overcome this situation, an international board should be formed which overseas that every dental resident in the world is being paid equal salary which they deserve. Dental residents and surgeons also play a very significant role in maintaining the health and hygiene of the citizens of a country. The salaries set up by the board should also be according to the service they do and also according to the area of their expertise.
FAQs
1. Why do dental residents in countries like India are paid much less as compared to other countries?
As we all know that India is a highly populated country. Consequently, the competition is really high in countries like India. As a result, they are numerous of dental schools being constructed in India, which mass produces dentists. On the contrary, there are really limited jobs for dental residents in India, which makes the dental residents to settle for a low paying apprenticeship program rather than without any apprenticeship.
2. Do countries like the USA, also have separate dental boards for different states?
Yes, even in countries like the USA, there are separate dental boards for separate states within the USA. Some of the states in USA also have separate dental board exams to clear if a dentist from a different state wants to continue his/her dental practice in a that very state.
3. Does a third world country like India, making efforts to make a difference in the field of dentistry and to make a genuine effort for the progress of its dental residents?
Yes, India and many other asian countries are making continuous efforts for the betterment of its dental residents and also encouraging strong school and community hygiene programs to inculcate in children and in people from different communities and backgrounds to maintain their oral hygiene and health.
4. Are there any programs or councils which work for the betterment and for the rights of dental students, residents and surgeons?
Yes, every country in fact every state has its own dental council/dental board which makes sure to keep a check on the well being of its dental practitioners and also they keep a close record of their health, salaries and their conduct in the area of their practise. That record is then used as an official record of the dentist and is a very important document in cases of immigration and work transfers.
