Non-traditional Careers in Oral Health

Abstract

This chapter will look at career paths followed by oral health professionals who do not follow the more established paths, but use their oral health backgrounds to transition into unexpected careers. These paths are at the intersection of diverse disciplines, for example, careers in community organisations, government, health administration, policy making and government research. This chapter describes the interests, skills and abilities, competencies and goals needed for professionals to pursue these paths. Oral health professionals are encouraged to consider how their education, training and experience can be relevant to a wide variety of alternative fields. Personal reflections also provide an insight into one oral health professional’s transition from clinical work to academia and politics and from clinical work to health anthropology.

Luis Castro was an active contributor to this publication. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 before the publication was complete. Luis was very enthusiastic about the book, in fact, he was one of the first to embrace the project. We dedicate this chapter to his memory.