Life As a Dentist
Dentist Definition 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
- Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
- Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
- 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.
- Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.
- Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
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Qualities of a Dentist
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.
Other Dentist Job Titles
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Dental Officer
- Dental Intern
- Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS)
- Pediatric Dentist
Job Outlook for Dentists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 132,800 jobs in the United States for Dentist. 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.
Dentist Average Salary
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
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
- 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 kind of Dentist requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Dentist?
References:
Image Credit: Michal Jarmoluk via Public domain
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