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.
Interests
- Investigative
- Realistic
- Social
Work Values
- Independence
- Achievement
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Concern for Others
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- 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.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Internet browser software
- Accounting software
Abilities
- Finger Dexterity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Psychology
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic OdontologyCertifying Organization
American Board of Forensic Odontology, Inc.
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineCertifying Organization
American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Board Certified Diplomate of the ABOI/IDCertifying Organization
American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Diplomate in PeriodontologyCertifying Organization
American Board of Periodontology
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Integrated National Board Dental ExaminationCertifying Organization
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $121,537 |
| Median (50%) | $156,694 |
| High (90%) | $196,392 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $141,543 |
| Mid Level | $164,922 |
| Senior Level | $158,678 |
| Expert Level | $150,036 |
Employability
There are currently 141,000 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 147,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 5%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 5%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast