Dentists

Career summary

#nothing moved over from 8142, checked 3/19/19 lh

Most dentists are general practitioners. This means they perform a wide variety of dental tasks, such as:

• Fill cavities
• Pull teeth
• Repair cracked or fractured teeth
• Replace missing teeth
• Try to prevent dental disease

Dentists talk to patients and examine their teeth to diagnose problems. They look at x-ray images of teeth for cracks and defects. They make impressions or models to fit appliances such as dentures and crowns. They use mirrors, probes, and drills.

Dentists talk to dental hygienists to learn what they discovered while cleaning patients' teeth. They may instruct patients on proper brushing, flossing, and use of fluorides. They use this information to create a plan for how to treat patients and promote their dental health.

Dentists sometimes apply crowns to strengthen teeth. They may perform surgery on gums or on the bones that support gums. Depending on the procedure, they give patients anesthetics to block the pain.

Dentists keep detailed records of the procedures they perform on patients.

Dentists in private practice manage their own offices. They may supervise other workers such as receptionists, bookkeepers, dental assistants, and dental hygienists. They may order equipment and supplies.

Some dentists specialize in areas, such as:

• Endodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Orthodontics
• Periodontics
• Oral pathology

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Chiropractors
• Coroners
• Dental Assistants
• Dental Hygienists
• Family and General Practitioners
• Internists
• Medical Scientists
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Optometrists
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Specialists
• Pediatricians
• Pharmacists
• Physician Assistants
• Podiatrists
• Surgeons
• Surgical Technologists
• University and College Teachers
• Veterinarians

Military careers

• Dentists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to dentists.

• Examine patients' teeth and mouth.
• Analyze x-rays and evaluate dental needs.
• Plan treatment and health promotion programs.
• Treat teeth and tissue problems.
• Keep records of the work done on patients.
• Perform surgery, such as on gums or on supporting bones.
• Extract teeth. Make models for replacement teeth. Take accurate measurements for new teeth.
• Provide instruction on dental care.
• Administer anesthetics to patients.
• Write prescriptions for patients.
• Use equipment and tools, such as drills or mouth mirrors.
• Manage and hire staff. Supervise workers and office processes.

Common work activities

Dentists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Process information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Teach others
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop and build teams
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Coach others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Use computers
• Think creatively
• Monitor and control resources
• Analyze data or information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Control machines and processes
• Perform administrative tasks
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Recruit, interview, or hire others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Handle and move objects

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, dentists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Almost always work as part of a larger work group or team.
• Have a high level of social contact. Dentists work constantly with patients or coworkers.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone and in person. They write letters, memos, and e-mails, but less frequently.
• Are substantially responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
• Are substantially responsible for the work done by hygienists and assistants.
• May sometimes be placed in conflict situations in which patients may rude or unpleasant to interact with.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Often wear a special uniform or lab coat.
• Nearly always wear gloves and protective glasses.
• Are exposed on a daily basis to the diseases and infections carried by patients.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Are sometimes exposed to radiation when performing patient x-rays.
• Work physically close to patients, usually within inches.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud or distracting sounds and noise levels.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Any errors could cause their patients to experience pain.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that greatly affect their patients.
• Make nearly all their decisions independently.
• Set nearly all their daily tasks and goals without speaking to someone else first.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere where daily and weekly deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

• May work 40 hours a week. Some work more, especially dentists starting new practices.
• May work evenings and weekends to meet patients' needs.
• May work part time or full time. Some continue to work part time past the usual retirement age.

Physical demands

Dentists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for dentists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for dentists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

Skills and abilities

Dentists need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery
• Dentistry

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Pre-Dentistry

Training

To work as a dentist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete at least two years of college;
• take science courses in college;
• graduate from dental school; and
• pass a state exam to get a license.

Education after high school

Most students need four years to complete dental school. Most dental schools award a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Others award a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. In dental school, you take courses in anatomy, microbiology, and physiology. In the lab, you learn how to treat patients and do various procedures.

Dental schools require you to have at least two years of college courses before enrolling. Most of the required courses are in the sciences. However, most dental students have a bachelor's degree. It is helpful if you major in pre-dentistry or a life science before entering dental school.

One out of four new graduates of dental school enrolls in a postgraduate training program. These programs prepare you for one of eight dental specialties. This training may last an additional two to four years.

Work experience

Some dental school graduates get more experience by working with an established dentist. You can work as an associate for several years before starting your own practice.

On-the-job training

In the last two years of study, you begin treating patients. Students work in dental clinics under the supervision of licensed dentists.

Military training

The military provides advanced training for dentists. However, it does not provide the initial training to become a dentist.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Dentists need a strong background in math and science. Try to take science courses through Physics and math courses through Trigonometry.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Safety and First Aid

Many dentists are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require dentists to be licensed. Dentists who are hiring partners for their practice may look for applicants with a good business sense. They prefer dentists who work well with patients. They also look for someone who has good self-discipline.

Tips

Visit dentists in different types of dental office settings to learn what the work is like.

Costs to workers

According to the American Dental Education Association, the average loan debt for graduating dental students in 2017 was $287,331.

#2017 data from: http://www.adea.org/GoDental/Money_Matters/Educational_Debt.aspx#sthash.AQglaNJi.dpbs  3/26/18 cj.

#A survey done by the American Dental Association in 2014 of graduating dental students found that almost 90% graduated with student loan debt and the average debt of those surveyed was $247,227.

#Updated debt info from ADA website http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Advocacy/Files/ltr_150219_hea_help_coalition_nosig.ashx letter to Senators. 3/5/15 lh haven't seen any new data 3/7/17 lh

A survey conducted in 2016 by the American Dental Association found that the average annual cost of running a private, general dentistry practice was $385,700, excluding owner salaries. Other expenses include joining one or more professional associations, which range from $400 to $1,000 each per year and additional college classes to keep up with changes in the field. Dentists must also carry malpractice insurance coverage, which ranges from $3,000 to $35,000. The cost of uniforms varies depending on personal preferences. All dentists wear a protective lab coat or shirt/jacket over their street clothes.

#ADA survey info from Puget Sound Business Journal, Health Care of the Future segment, Feb. 7-14, 2014, cj.  Not easily finding updated figures/reports related to any of the above so left as is 4/4/16 cj.

#Source of 2016 Excel file for ADA survey: https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/data-center/dental-practice. Couldn't confirm malpractice info but decided to leave for now, 3/7/18 cj.

Licensing/certification

Dentists must be licensed by the Washington State Board of Dental Examiners. Licensing requirements for dentists just entering the profession include:

• completion of a four-year doctorate in dentistry program from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association;
• completion of the written National Board Dental Examination Parts I and II given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, part of the American Dental Association (see below for address);
• completion of the open-book state jurisprudence exam;
• completion of practical examination from the Western Regional Examination Board; and
• seven clock hours of AIDS education.

or

• a practical examination by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service.

For licensing in Washington, the exam fee is $500 and annual renewal is $400. To renew, 21 hours of continuing education must be completed each year. The initial anesthesia permit is $150 with a renewal fee of $150 every three years. Applicants must also pay for national exams. Contact the following organizations for testing requirements and fee schedules.

#fee amts fine 3/18/19 lh

American Dental Association
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations 
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60611-2637
800.232.1694

Central Regional Dental Testing Service 
1725 SW Gage Boulevard
Topeka, KS 66604-3333
785.273.0380

Western Regional Examination Board 
23460 North 19th Avenue, Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85027
623.209.5400

#Updated mailing address 3/22/10, cj.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Health Professions Quality Assurance Customer Service Center 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#Verified above licensing information Updated urls 3/18/19 lh.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Dentists, General 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 
• Orthodontists 
• Prosthodontists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wage tables are available for the following SOC titles. Click the title to show or hide that title's wage table.

Earnings vary by the dentist's specialty and number of years in practice. Dentists who specialize earn more than those who do not. Dentists who are new to the profession earn less than those who have been in the business longer. They also must spend money on equipment and setting up their practice. When they first open their business, they may only be able to cover costs. Wages also vary by the number of hours dentists work each week.

Dentists who own their practice earn more than those who work for other dentists. Like other business owners, self-employed dentists must provide their own benefits as well as benefits for their employees. They may pay for health and life insurance plus a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

State Employment

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Employment & Outlook tables are available for the following SOC titles. Click the title to show or hide that title's table.

National employment

About 17% of dentists are self-employed.

Almost all dentists are in private practice. They work for themselves or for a dentist who owns the practice. Most dentists work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners. Some work for other dentists as associates.

Major employers:

• Private dental offices

National outlook

The need for dental care is continuing to grow. As the population ages, many people will need more complicated dental work, such as bridges and crowns. In addition, improved preventative dental care has allowed more people to keep their natural teeth. This means they will require more dental care than previous generations when people had dentures. New health care regulations mean that more people have insurance that covers dental care.

Many dentists are nearing retirement age. Retirements will cause most of the job openings in the field. New dentists may have good job opportunities as long as the number of graduates from dental schools does not increase dramatically.

Other resources

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave
Rosemont, IL 60018-5701

American Association of Orthodontists 
401 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
800.424.2841
314.993.1700

American Board of Orthodontics 
401 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63141-7839

American Dental Association 
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2500

American Dental Education Association 
655 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
202.289.7201

American Student Dental Association 
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60611
800.621.8099
312.440.2795

Dental Work: Careers in Oral Care 
Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Outlook, March 2020

Explore Health Careers: Dentist 

National Dental Association 
6411 Ivy Lane, Suite 703
Greenbelt, MD 20770
202.588.1697

The Student Doctor Network 

US Small Business Administration 
Seattle District Office
2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98121
206.553.7310

Washington State Dental Association 
126 NW Canal Street #300
Seattle, WA 98107
800.448.3368
206.448.1914

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupations

• Dentists, General (29-1021.00) 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (29-1022.00) 
• Orthodontists (29-1023.00) 
• Prosthodontists (29-1024.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Dentist (072.101-010) 
• Endodontist (072.101-014) 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (072.101-018) 
• Orthodontist (072.101-022) 
• Pediatric Dentist (072.101-026) 
• Periodontist (072.101-030) 
• Prosthodontist (072.101-034) 
• Public-health Dentist (072.101-038) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Dentist

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Realistic/Social
• Realistic/Social/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Professional