In the degree programme in dentistry, the students graduate as dentists. Nearly all graduating dentists get employed immediately after graduation. The profession of a dentist is well respected: the dentist has been evaluated 9th in the list of top professions in Finland. Dentists are pleased with their profession and they are committed to the work (Kottonen 2009).

Dentists work with other health care professionals, help patients and work with their hands. The multifaceted work has also been stated to be one of the positive sides of the profession of dentistry, although the work can be physically and mentally challenging. Among the most essential values in selecting the working environment dentists have listed the content of the work. Dentists seem to prefer multifaceted and challenging work, which contents they can influence by themselves based on personal interest. Most dentists treat patients in health centres, in private practices and in hospitals. Commonly the dentist is one member of a working team. In addition, dentists can work as teachers, researchers or in administrative positions. Dentists can also specialize in various fields of dentistry: maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, clinical dentistry or in healthcare. Dentists can also join in the doctoral degree programme aiming at a doctoral thesis, which trains them in scientific research and teaching.