As a dental professional, we know that no matter where you are in your current career, you have numerous goals for your future.
In addition to making your mark on the field and making a difference in the lives of your patients, you also want to become the highest paid dentist in your service area.
However, if you want to become the richest dentist in America, you need to start thinking now about the steps — and the very real commitment level — that it will take to get there.
The best way to do that is to learn from those who have already done it.
Whether you’re interested in dental philanthropy, research and academia, or if you want to create a brand surrounding your personality to generate extra income, you need to keep reading this post.
In it, we’ll tell you about three of the most famous dentists in the world — and what you can glean from their career paths in order to enhance your own.
1. Howard Farran, DDS and MBA
If you want to become one of the most famous dentists in the world, then you’re going to need to master much more than dentistry alone.
You’ll also need a dynamic personality and a communication style that can reach everyone from the smallest practice in a sleepy little town to the wealthiest dentist in Beverly Hills.
Enter Howard Farran, DDS, MBA, the founder of Arizona Citizens for Better Dental Health, and the owner of one of the most high-traffic dental websites in the world.
Dr. Farran is considered by many to be the top dentist in the world, and with a list of accomplishments like his, it isn’t hard to see why.
From his humble beginnings as a dentist at his family practice in Phoenix to his successful lobbying campaign to convince Phoenix council members to add fluoride to the drinking water,
Dr. Farran shows what perseverance in this industry can accomplish.
He’s also an incredible role model for those who want to learn more about how they can expand their practice to do more than just dentistry alone.
In 1999, Dr. Farran created Dentaltown.com, which assists those in the dental industry with not only continuing education but also networking and speaking engagement opportunities.
He was soon able to expand the website into a magazine, which is circulated to thousands of dentists around the globe. He also runs a podcast, has created his own dental continuing education courses, and has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
Dr. Farran is now among the richest dentists in America.
Learn from his expertise by focusing on actionable solutions and to create a worldwide network of dentists that will help you to grow your career and carve out an authority for yourself across multiple channels within the dental industry.
2. Martha Somerman, DDS and PH.D
Dr. Martha Somerman began her career as the Dean of the School of Dentistry at Washington University.
She has also held the title of President of the American Association for Dental Research and is currently serving as the Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
This means that she is able to command a top dentist salary while also remaining at the forefront of the latest research and technological developments in the world of dentistry.
So, if famous dentists like Dr. Farran can teach you how to market yourself and expand your influence, those like Dr. Somerman can help you to understand how to become one of the most respected researchers in your field.
Much of her studies have focused on how craniofacial health impacts dentistry and oral development and care. She believes not just in looking at the teeth, tongue, and mouth, but in examining how the face as a whole influences oral health.
She has proven that taking risks and exploring previously uncharted territory in the field of dentistry can have an enormous payoff — and one that has helped millions of people all over the world take better care of their teeth.
If you’re interested in understanding the more academic and research-based side of dentistry, let Dr. Somerman be your guide.
3. Michael Helgeson, DDS
Michael Helgeson, DDS, may be one of the most famous dentists in the world, but it’s his commitment to charity and underserved populations that have truly made him a success.
He is currently the CEO of Apple Tree Dental, which was developed in order to address dental problems within low-income communities.
Now, Apple Tree is able to connect with those in need in eight different clinics within Minnesota and California.
Their clients also include adults with mental disabilities, group and nursing homes, and nonprofits in a variety of cities and communities. He also believes in hiring dental therapists to work with those patients, in order to further strengthen his already incredible impact in their lives.
The lesson here?
Even if you’re the richest dentist in America, it’s essential that you find ways to give back and to share your expertise with those who might not be able to otherwise afford it.
Not only is it an excellent way to lead by example, it also allows you to revolutionize the way we think about dental care and its accessibility as a whole.
Looking to Learn More From Famous Dentists?
From those who give back to dental professionals who have leveraged their personalities and expertise into moneymaking goldmines, we hope that this list of three of the world’s most famous dentists has inspired you to fight for more in your own career.
No matter the community you want to serve or the salary you hope to one day command, understand that no level of success happens overnight. It also doesn’t happen without a strong drive and a wonderful group of supporters around you.
That’s where we come in.
Learn how to find the dental job of your dreams, get the services and products you need to succeed, and access invaluable professional advice by spending some time on our website and blog.
We can’t wait to see where you go next.