Pharmacy and dentistry are two of the most popular and in-demand professions in Nigeria. Both professions offer the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and to have a secure and rewarding career. However, there are some key differences between the two professions that may make one a better fit for you than the other.
Education and training
To become a pharmacist in Nigeria, you must complete a five-year bachelor of pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree from an accredited pharmacy school. After completing your pharmacy degree, you must pass the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) registration examination to become a licensed pharmacist.
To become a dentist in Nigeria, you must complete a six-year bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) degree from an accredited dental school. After completing your dental degree, you must pass the PCN registration examination to become a licensed dentist.
Job duties
Pharmacists dispense medications, provide advice on drug use, and educate patients about their health conditions. Dentists diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the teeth, gums, and mouth. They also perform preventive care procedures, such as cleanings and fillings.
Work environment
Pharmacists and dentists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and community pharmacies. Dentists may also work in research or academia.
Salary and job outlook
The median annual salary for pharmacists in Nigeria is ₦5,000,000. The median annual salary for dentists in Nigeria is ₦7,000,000.
The job outlook for both pharmacists and dentists is projected to be much faster than average through 2030. This is due to the aging population and the increasing demand for healthcare services.
Which profession is better for you in Nigeria?
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether pharmacy or dentistry is the better profession for you in Nigeria:
Interests: What are you passionate about? Do you enjoy working with medications and advising patients, or do you prefer to work with your hands and perform dental procedures?
Skills: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you have the academic and technical skills required for pharmacy school, or are you more interested in the hands-on aspects of dentistry?
Career goals: What do you want to achieve in your career? Do you want to have a leadership role in healthcare, or are you more content to work with patients directly?
Financial constraints: Pharmacy school is less expensive than dental school, so if you are on a tight budget, pharmacy may be a better option for you.
If you are interested in working with medications and advising patients, and you have the academic and technical skills required for pharmacy school, then pharmacy may be the better profession for you in Nigeria. However, if you prefer to work with your hands and perform dental procedures, and you are willing to invest in the more expensive dental school education, then dentistry may be the better profession for you.
Benefits of pharmacy in Nigeria
Some of the benefits of becoming a pharmacist in Nigeria include:
High salary
Prestigious profession
Opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives
Job security
Variety of work settings
Drawbacks of pharmacy in Nigeria
Some of the drawbacks of becoming a pharmacist in Nigeria include:
Long and demanding education and training
High-stress job
Long hours
Risk of medication errors
Benefits of dentistry in Nigeria
Some of the benefits of becoming a dentist in Nigeria include:
High salary
Prestigious profession
Opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives
Job security
Variety of work settings
Drawbacks of dentistry in Nigeria
Some of the drawbacks of becoming a dentist in Nigeria include:
Long and demanding education and training
High-stress job
Physically demanding job
Risk of exposure to diseases and injuries
Read also Dentistry and Nursing which is better
Conclusion
Both pharmacy and dentistry are rewarding and challenging professions in Nigeria. The best profession for you depends on your individual interests, skills, and career goals. If you are not sure which profession is right for you, consider talking to a pharmacist or dentist to learn more about their experiences.
Additional considerations
In addition to the factors listed above, there are a few other things to consider when choosing between pharmacy and dentistry in Nigeria.
Work-life balance: Dentists often have more difficulty maintaining a healthy work-life balance than pharmacists, due to the longer hours and more physically demanding nature of the job.
Rural vs. urban practice: Pharmacists and dentists can choose to practice in rural or urban areas. Rural practice can be more challenging, but it is also more rewarding and can offer the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people who live in underserved communities
Comments from Nairaland Users on the Topic of Dentistry vs. Pharmacy in Nigeria
**User 1:** In the U.K., dentists earn a lot more than pharmacists. Even dentistry is often therein considered a branch of medicine, especially at undergraduate level (“Medicine and Dentistry” is the official term for the course that people who elect for either study).
**User 2:** I would go for Dentistry if I were to choose between the two.
As a Dentist in a hospital setting u get to receive the same/or nearly the same renumeration with a Medical Doctor which is also above pharmacists in the same setting.
Also travelling abroad will definitely widen ur options as a Dentist, and also the working condition over there will definitely give u a lot of free time.
Pharmacist in Nigeria mostly are mere marketers, so much for cramming and learning about all those tough organic compounds. Only few pharmacist end up really practising what they learned in school by producing drugs. A lot of drugs in Nigeria are imported
Lastly follow ur heart in deciding whatever u want to study. Collective wisdom might help but ur overall decision should be based on what gives u joy rather than money. Las las u'll be the one to face whatever u chooses not those advising u.
But since I sensed you're after the cash I'll advise u to go for pharmacy if and only if u'll have the capital to start your own pharmacy store after graduation.
Pharmacist having there own store are big men trust me
**User 3:** in private practise a dentist even earn more, orthodontic braces, implant procedures, cosmetic dentistry and surgical care can well run into multimillion in a month to even burst your brain; one patient can pay up to millions in naira, if given any of these specialized care. People are poorly oriented about dentistry in Nigeria, even at that, the poor will seek treatment to alleviate pain, the rich will pay the price to look good and people with maxillofacial injuries will definitely pay to get well ....all these porcelain veneers, gold crowns and diamonds these artist rock cost alot. In government job dentist who are also doctors earn way higher
**Summary**
Based on the comments from Nairaland users, it seems that dentistry is a more lucrative profession than pharmacy in Nigeria. This is because dentists earn a higher salary than pharmacists, both in hospital and private practice settings. Additionally, dentists have more opportunities to travel abroad and work in better working conditions. However, pharmacists can also earn a good living, especially if they own their own pharmacy.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which profession is right for you is to consider your own interests, skills, and goals.