Working in public policy can give you a chance to look at dentistry on a community, state, regional or national level rather than an individual level. It’s also a good opportunity for those who aren’t necessarily interested in direct patient care.

As a public policy expert, you may work at a university, a government agency such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or a state’s department of health. You might take a position in an association like the American Dental Education Association or the American Dental Association.