National
| Median wages (2008) |
$68.69 hourly, $142,870 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
136,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
39,000 additional employees |
29-1021.00 - Dentists, General
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums and related oral structures. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting vitality of teeth.
Sample of reported job titles:
Dentist, General Dentist, Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS), Dental Medicine Doctor (DMD)
Tasks
- Use masks, gloves and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- Use air turbine and hand instruments, dental appliances and surgical implements.
- Advise and instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, and oral health care services.
- Design, make, and fit prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges, and dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists and dental technicians.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums and related oral structures, and provide preventive and corrective services.
- Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Dental elevators — Periosteal elevators; Root elevators; Straight elevators; Surgical elevators |
| Dental forceps — Articulating paper forceps; Pedodontic forceps; Straight mosquito forceps; Tongue-holding forceps |
| Dental hand pieces or accessories — High-speed dental handpieces; Periotomes; Straight dental handpieces; Wire cutters |
| Dental probes — Double-end explorers; Fiberoptic diagnostic probes; Periodontal probing devices; Single-end explorers |
| Dental scissors — Crown scissors; Straight scissors; Suture scissors; Wire and arch bar scissors |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Medical software — Data Team DDS; Henry Schein Dentrix software; Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS; Windent SQL |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
