What is 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.
Life As a Dentist: What Do They Do?
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments.
- Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.
- Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
- Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs.
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What Every Dentist Should Know
When polled, Dentists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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 for this Occupation:
- Treatment Coordinator
- Endodontist
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Family 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Dentist
The average yearly salary of a Dentist ranges between $72,810 and $208,000.
Dentists who work in Alaska, Delaware, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dentists make in each U.S. state?
| 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 & Technology do Dentists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Dentists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How to Become a Dentist
Education needed to be a Dentist:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Dentists Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Dentists employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Michal Jarmoluk via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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