What is a Dentist?
Job 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.
A Day in the Life of a Dentist
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient’s teeth and mouth tissue.
- Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
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Things a Dentist Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Dentists say are important on the job.
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.
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- General Dentist
- Dental Officer
- Associate Dentist
- Endodontist
Is There Job Demand for Dentists?
In the United States, there were 132,800 jobs for Dentist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,400 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Dentist
The salary for Dentists ranges between about $72,810 and $208,000 a year.
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 |
What Tools do Dentists Use?
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
- Henry Schein DentalVision Professional
- Dental imaging software
- Dental digital radiology software
- Henry Schein Easy Dental
- Kodak Dental Systems Kodak PRACTICEWORKS Practice management software PMS
- Dental clinical records software
- Dental charting software
- DSN Software Oral Surgery-Exec
- Voice-activated perio charting software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
Becoming a Dentist
What kind of Dentist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dentist?
Where Dentists Are Employed
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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