Life As a Dentist
Career Description Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Daily Life Of a Dentist
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
- Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
- Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
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Things a Dentist Should Know How to Do
Dentists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Periodontist
- Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS)
- Dentist
- Family Dentist
- Public Health Dentist
Dentist Employment Estimates
There were about 132,800 jobs for Dentist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,700 new jobs for Dentist by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Dentist are Arizona, Maryland, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Rhode Island, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Dentists Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Dentists is somewhere between $72,810 and $208,000.
Dentists who work in Alaska, Delaware, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dentists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $171,900 |
| Alaska | $259,350 |
| Arizona | $186,870 |
| Arkansas | $165,480 |
| California | $151,490 |
| Colorado | $174,930 |
| Connecticut | $213,390 |
| Delaware | $264,440 |
| District of Columbia | $183,630 |
| Florida | $167,270 |
| Georgia | $176,600 |
| Hawaii | $196,690 |
| Idaho | $172,020 |
| Illinois | $171,590 |
| Indiana | $183,800 |
| Iowa | $187,570 |
| Kansas | $179,100 |
| Kentucky | $154,230 |
| Louisiana | $124,020 |
| Maine | $203,920 |
| Maryland | $151,950 |
| Massachusetts | $177,410 |
| Michigan | $197,490 |
| Minnesota | $227,280 |
| Mississippi | $153,810 |
| Missouri | $191,240 |
| Montana | $170,260 |
| Nebraska | $135,080 |
| Nevada | $210,710 |
| New Hampshire | $226,300 |
| New Jersey | $169,990 |
| New Mexico | $173,610 |
| New York | $164,520 |
| North Carolina | $212,160 |
| North Dakota | $212,380 |
| Ohio | $197,150 |
| Oklahoma | $156,060 |
| Oregon | $190,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $153,950 |
| Rhode Island | $254,190 |
| South Carolina | $172,780 |
| South Dakota | $198,170 |
| Tennessee | $186,670 |
| Texas | $185,680 |
| Utah | $138,970 |
| Virginia | $199,870 |
| Washington | $184,780 |
| West Virginia | $139,170 |
| Wisconsin | $213,210 |
| Wyoming | $125,120 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Dentists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dentists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Accounting software
- Practice management software PMS
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
- Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
- DSN Software Oral Surgery-Exec
- Dental charting software
- Dental clinical records software
- Dental digital radiology software
- Dental imaging software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
- Henry Schein DentalVision Professional
- Henry Schein Easy Dental
- Kodak Dental Systems Kodak PRACTICEWORKS Practice management software PMS
- Voice-activated perio charting software
Becoming a Dentist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Dentist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Dentists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Michal Jarmoluk via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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