CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Dentists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating problems with a patient’s teeth, gums and mouth.
Career Level
Salary
National average, per year
$156,240
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
16,870
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: June 2019
OVERVIEW
Dentist Job Description
A dentist is a vital member of the healthcare team. Dentists have the important job of keeping people’s teeth, gums and mouths healthy and diagnosing and treating oral health issues.
Dentistry is a career that comes with great responsibility. In return, you are rewarded with the opportunity to help people and to make communities healthier places. Dentists enjoy the benefits of excellent pay, job stability and flexibility and autonomy.
Dentist Job Responsibilities
Dentists may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Examine patient’s mouth, teeth and gums
- Diagnose and treat oral health issues
- Fill cavities
- Perform minor surgical procedures such as tooth extractions
- Take and analyze dental x-rays
- Fit patients for dentures
- Repair cracked or broken teeth
- Provide preventative care such as fluoride treatments or placing sealants on teeth
- Administer anesthetics during procedures
- Prescribe necessary medications
Dentist Salary
The actual salary of the dentist can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $156,240*
National average per hour: $75.12*
- $184,724 per year, $88.81 per hour**
- $127,386 per year, $61.24 per hour***
- $137,351 to $179,869 per year****
- $137,046 per year, $65.89 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Dentist Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a dentist? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Job stability
- Great salary
- Trusted profession
- Positively impact patients every day
- Option to be self-employed and have own practice
Cons
- Extensive education and training
- Potentially high educational debt
- Physically demanding
- Admission into dental school can be difficult and very competitive
- Exposure to infectious diseases and other illnesses
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Dentist?
If you are considering a career as a dentist, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Earn your high school diploma.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes 4 years to complete. No specific pre-dental major is required, but coursework in biology, physics, and chemistry can provide relevant preparation for dental school.
- Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
- Earn a dental degree. Most programs take 4 years to complete and result in a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
- Obtain state licensure in order to practice. Requirements vary by state, but all states require passage of the National Board Dental Examinations.
Suggested Career Path
A dentist is at the end of the medical career pathway. A sample career path could look like this:
Dental Assistant > Dental Hygienist > Dentist
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma
- 4 years of undergraduate study (Bachelor’s degree)
- 4 years of dental school (Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree)
- State Licensure
Typical Work Experience Required
Practical experience gained during dental school.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by location.
- Excellent knowledge and interest in oral health
- Excellent eyesight
- Manual dexterity
- Ability to use specialized equipment
- Ability to concentrate for long periods of time
- Patience
- Compassion and empathy
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to work well with different types of people
- Ability to work well with a team
- Excellent communication skills
Dentist Certifications
None
Dentist Licenses
All states require licensure in order to practice. Requirements vary by state, but all states require passage of the National Board Dental Examinations. Contact your state board of dentistry for other requirements.
Dentist Training and Preparation
Many dentists choose to work as general dentistry practitioners. General dentists do not need additional training once they finish dental school. Some dentists however, choose to specialize in a specific field of dentistry. Some specialty areas include orthodontics, pediatric dentistry and dental public health. Specialized fields typically require an additional 2-4 years of education and residency training. Once this is completed, the dentist must then earn a specialty state license.
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