Questions about dentistry can range from dental hygiene, to cleanings, to crowns, to root canals, oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry and more. Whether you are an implant dentist, an orthodontist or a general dentist, having the proper resources immediately available can help you make informed necessary decisions as well as network or find educational opportunities.

Information about dentistry is readily available. From journals to associations to general information and more, most of your questions can be addressed and answered online.

To find the right information on dentistry as a business:

1. Ask yourself what topic you are seeking. Are you looking to network with other dentists? Do you need supplies? Are you looking for an association?

2. Make sure that the sites that you have chosen to pull information from are credible and are backed by the major dental associations, like the American Dental Association (ADA). This is extremely imperative for people presenting for colleagues or students as well as those submitting any manuscripts to the dental journals.

3. If a topic is complex, don't hesitate to obtain more than one backup source of information to verify your dentistry facts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about dentistry

Find out about the dentistry field as well as comprehensive guides and daily dentistry news.

I recommend: Check out the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics information on the dentistry field. Find comprehensive information covering all areas of dentistry from Futuredontics, Inc. Find the latest dentistry news published daily at Medical News Today. Sign up to receive their news feed via email.

Sign up for a dentistry journal

Sign up for your next subscription of a dentistry journal, or if you are brave and professional enough, consider submitting a manuscript for one of the journals.

I recommend: Check out the current issue of the Internet Journal of Dental Science. You can also sign up for new issue notification of the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. You might also consider reading the Journal of the California Dental Association, or there's always the Open Dentistry Journal.

Join a dentist group

Join a dentistry group to meet new professional colleagues as well as swap business stories or find continuing education opportunities.

I recommend: Become a member of the American Dental Association. You can also consider a statewide group like the Wisconsin Dental Association or the New York State Dental Association. The Seacoast Esthetic Dentistry Association is another group option open to dentists or laboratory technicians certified in dental technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Networking with other dentistry professionals is a wonderful tool when starting your own dentist office. Finding out the things that they wished they knew can really come in handy.