Life As a Dentist
Position 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.
What Do Dentists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- 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.
- Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color.
- Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
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Dentist Needed Skills
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.
Types of Dentist Jobs
- Periodontist
- Dentist
- Dental Officer
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Treatment Coordinator
Are There Job Opportunities for Dentists?
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. There will be an estimated 6,400 positions for Dentist per 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.
Average Dentists Salary
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Dentists 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 & 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
Are there Dentists education requirements?
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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