Dentists

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Dentists diagnose, prevent and treat teeth and tissue problems. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine X-rays, place protective plastic sealants on children's teeth, straighten teeth and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, use of fluorides and other aspects of dental care. They administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.

Dentists use a variety of equipment, including X-ray machines, drills and instruments, such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.

Dentists in private practice oversee a variety of administrative tasks, including bookkeeping, and buying equipment and supplies. They may employ and supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians and receptionists.

Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in one of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists, straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or retainers. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operate on the mouth and jaws.

The remainder may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing on dentistry for children); periodontists (treating gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures); endodontists (performing root canal therapy); public health dentists (promoting good dental health and preventing dental diseases within the community); oral pathologists (studying oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial radiologists (diagnosing diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies).

Most dentists work four or five days a week. Most dentists own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Some dentists have partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate dentists.

Training and qualifications

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed. In most states, a candidate must graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass written and practical examinations to qualify for a license.

Currently, about 17 states require dentists to obtain a specialty license before practicing as a specialist. Requirements include two to four years of postgraduate education and, in some cases, completion of a special state examination. Dentists who want to teach or do research usually spend an additional two to five years in advanced dental training, in programs operated by dental schools or hospitals.

Most dental students have at least a bachelor's degree. Pre-dental education emphasizes coursework in the sciences. All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Dental school usually lasts four academic years. Most dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). The rest award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment of space and shape, a high degree of manual dexterity and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline and communication skills are helpful for success in private practice. High school and college students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health and mathematics.

Job outlook

Employment of dentists is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2010. Job prospects should be good if the number of dental school graduates does not grow significantly, thus keeping the supply of newly qualified dentists near current levels.

Demand for dental care should grow substantially through 2010. As members of the baby-boom generation advance into middle age, a large number will need maintenance on complicated dental work, such as bridges. In addition, elderly people are more likely to retain their teeth than were their predecessors, so they will require much more care than in the past. The younger generation will continue to need preventive checkups despite treatments such as fluoridation of the water supply, which decreases the incidence of tooth decay.

Dental care will focus more on prevention, including teaching people how better to care for their teeth. But dentists are likely to hire more dental hygienists and dental assistants to handle routine services.

Earnings

Dentists held about 152,000 jobs in 2000. Almost all dentists work in private practice. Median annual earnings of salaried dentists were $129,030 in 2000. Earnings vary according to number of years in practice, location, hours worked and specialty.

Self-employed dentists in private practice tend to earn more than do salaried dentists. A relatively large proportion of dentists is self-employed.

Related links

For information on dentistry as a career and a list of accredited dental schools:

American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

For information on admission to dental schools:

American Dental Education Association, 1625 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Adapted from the Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.