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Dentists examine, diagnose, and treat patients who have diseases, injuries, deformities, pain or deficiencies of the teeth, gums, and mouth.

JOB DUTIES 

Dentists may:

Use masks, gloves and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases

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

Plan treatment to restore and maintain optimum oral health

Administer anesthetics

Locate and fill cavities

Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums and related oral structures, and provide preventive and corrective service

Remove teeth which are beyond treatment

Design, make, and fit prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges, and dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists and dental technicians

Replace missing teeth

Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials

Clean teeth

Write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications

Teach preventive care

Click here to view a Dentist video. Click here to view more information on Dentistry.

Equipment, instruments, supplies, and work aids used by Dentists may include:

Some Dentists are using lasers in periodontal and oral surgery.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Dentists may specialize in these areas:

072.101-010  DENTISTS examine, diagnose, and treat patients who have diseases, injuries, deformities, pain or deficiencies of the teeth, gums, and mouth.

072.101-018  ORAL SURGEONS perform surgical operations on the mouth and jaws to remove teeth, tumors, and other abnormal growths, or to correct abnormalities in the jaw or other oral structures.

072.101-022  ORTHODONTISTS prevent, diagnose, and correct irregularities and deviations that occur in the position of teeth and the development of the jaws by the use of fixed or removable appliances.

072.101-030  PERIODONTISTS treat diseased tissues that support the teeth by cleaning and polishing teeth, eliminating irritating margins of fillings, and correcting occlusions (conditions where the teeth do not fit together properly when the mouth is closed).

072.101-034  PROSTHODONTISTS specialize in making artificial teeth or dentures. They correct natural and acquired deformations of the mouth and jaws.

072.101-026  PEDODONTISTS treat children's teeth.

072.101-038  PUBLIC-HEALTH DENTISTS participate in planning, organizing, and maintaining the dental health program of public health agencies. They may perform dentistry on selected patients of all ages and assist in the operation of dental clinics.

072.101-014  ENDODONTISTS examine, diagnose, and treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting the vitality of teeth.

In addition to learning about these specialties you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Dentists work alone or with a dental hygienist, nurse, or dental assistant. They may establish their own practices, be part of a medical group, or work in hospitals or institutions. They generally work in clean, comfortable surroundings. Dentists may perform some of their own laboratory work in their own laboratories.

Dentists may work under physical strain since they must stand, or sit, for long periods of time, frequently bending in awkward positions. Their work may also be performed under trying circumstances when patients are frightened, upset, or in pain.

Dentists in private practice usually determine their own working hours to suit their personal needs and the needs of their patients. Their average workweek is about 36 hours. Salaried Dentists usually work 40 hours per week. Some Dentists have evening or weekend hours.

Dentists who open their own practice generally pay between $50,000 to $75,000 for equipment and instruments. Thus, beginning Dentists may first become partners with experienced Dentists and delay setting up their own practice until they have saved enough money.

Dentists in Michigan may belong to The American Dental Association and its Michigan affiliates such as The Michigan State Dental Association and local (county) District Dental Societies . Association member must pay membership fees and special assessments.

You Should Prefer:

Activities of a scientific and technical nature

Activities which involve direct personal contact to help people

Activities resulting in the esteem of others

You Should Be Able To:

Make decisions based on personal judgment

Make decisions based on standards which can be measured or checked

Perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

Visualize three-dimensional objects from diagrams

Make comparisons/see detailed differences in the size/surface of teeth

Reason logically and follow step-by-step procedures

Communicate well, orally and in writing

Direct/control/plan an entire activity or the activities of others

Coordinate the use of your eyes/hands accurately to perform a task

Learn management skills, for private dental practice

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Name and give the formula for a primary, a secondary, and a tertiary amine.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Chlorhexidine digluconate is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as, yeasts. A 0.1 percent solution is an effective calculus inhibitor; a 0.2 percent dentifrice is effective in reducing plaque formation.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an analysis of a patient's oral health needs for an insurance company.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Must possess excellent decision making and analytical skills and be detail oriented.

A license to practice dentistry is required in all states. To apply for a license in Michigan, a candidate must have graduated from an accredited dental school and pass the 2-part written National Board dental exam and the written and clinical North East Regional Board dental exam.

Dentists who wish to limit their practice to a specialty field must first be licensed as a general Dentist in Michigan, and then obtain a special certificate after completing a specified amount of postgraduate study in that field and passing an examination. Certificates are issued by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations, see "Dentist" for specific licensing information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

044  DENTISTRY

Programs in Dentistry provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become Dentists. The practice of Dentistry seeks to preserve, maintain, and restore oral health. Dentists are concerned with the treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

The most common requirements for entering schools of Dentistry to become a Dentist include completing a pre-dental program or its equivalent with an acceptable grade point average, applying through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) , taking the Dental Admissions Test, and submitting other required letters and forms.

045  DENTISTRY (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Dentistry Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to dental school. Many pre-dentistry students elect a major in biology or chemistry, although this is not required.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to dental schools. Prospective students should contact the dental schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school and between major concentrations but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

Currently there are two schools of Dentistry in Michigan, they include:

University of Michigan

Telephone: (734) 763-3316
Email: ddsadmissions@umich.edu
http://www.dent.umich.edu

The University of Michigan
School of Dentistry - G226
1011 N. University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078

University of Detroit Mercy

Telephone: (313) 494-6611 or (313) 494-6650
Fax: (313) 494-6659
Email: dental@udmercy.edu
http://www.dental.udmercy.edu

University of Detroit Mercy
School of Dentistry
Office of Admissions, MB 38
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208-2576

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.todaysmilitary.com .

DENTISTS

Dental care is a basic health service provided to men and women in the military. Military dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the mouth. They may practice general dentistry or work in one of several specialties.

What They Do

Dentists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Examine patients' teeth and gums to detect signs of disease or tooth decay

Examine X-rays to determine the soundness of teeth and the alignment of teeth and jaws

Locate and fill tooth cavities

Perform oral (mouth) surgery to treat problems with teeth, gums, or jaws

Develop and fit dentures (artificial teeth) to replace missing teeth

Construct and fit dental devices, such as braces and retainers, for straightening teeth

Plan dental health programs for patients to help prevent dental problems

Special Requirements

A doctor of dentistry degree and additional training in a dental specialty are required to enter this occupation.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

Desire to help others

Good eye-hand coordination

Work Environment

Dentists work in hospitals and dental clinics on land and aboard ships.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian dentists work in private practice, public health facilities, and dental research organizations. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military and specialize in similar areas. Depending on their specialty, dentists may also be called oral pathologists, endodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, prosthodontists, periodontists, pediatric dentists, or public health dentists.

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.

Opportunities

The services need new dentists each year, due to changes in personnel and field demands. Newly commissioned dentists are assigned to dental clinics to practice general dentistry or a dental specialty. Positions for dentists in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers . Dentists who demonstrate leadership and managerial qualities may advance to administer dental facilities and programs.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Since this occupation requires extensive professional training, ways to explore this occupation are extremely limited. Clerical work in a Dentist's office may allow some observation. Dentists who have completed dental school may gain experience in the military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Dentist employer

internships

volunteer work with a Dentist employer

community service work with an agency

Dental schools and associations usually have information regarding experienced Dentists who wish to have beginning Dentists join them in private practice. Civil service offices accept applications for government employment. Professional journals may contain employment information. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Dentist's earnings vary according to location, type of practice, and the individual's number of years in practice. Dentists entering private practice often earn little more than the minimum needed to cover expenses during the first year or two, but their earnings rise rapidly as their practices develop. On the average, salaried Dentists earn somewhat less than self-employed Dentists.

Dentists who specialize, such as oral surgeons, and periodontists, and those who work in large urban areas generally have the highest earnings.

Nationally, the estimated median net income (mid 2008) of Dentists who owned their practice was:

*NOTE: Dentists income after deducting such expenses as rent and utilities, dental and office supplies, and employees' wages and fringe benefits.

In 2009, Dentists working at VA Hospitals earned between $96,539 to $141,591 depending on education and experience. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Dentists who were employed by hospitals averaged $130,000 per year in early 2009, with most earning between $107,000 and $142,300.

In Michigan, Dentists employed by governmental agencies earned (2009):

Some Dentists receive a cost-of-living allowance.

Dentists in private practice may take their vacations when they choose. They must make their own arrangements for insurance and retirement plans. Dentists in salaried employment may receive paid vacations and holidays; paid sick leave; hospitalization, disability, accident, life insurance; and pensions.

Dentists may work with other Dentists in an office partnership or establish their own private practice. Hospital Dentists may advance to director of dental services.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 161,100 Dentists employed in 2006. Employment of Dentists is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. The demand for dental services will result from a growing and aging population, growth of cosmetic dental care, and more widespread dental insurance provided by employers. However, the supply of newly graduating dentists will continue to exceed the number of job openings in the near term.

Increased competition has resulted in relatively stable dental fees, while overhead costs have increased. Also, large (supermarket-type) dental centers and health-maintenance organizations (HMOs), which are growing in number, will compete with those dentists in solo practices. About 36.5% of all dentists were self-employed. The industry distribution for Dentists looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

About 6,225 Dentists are employed in Michigan. Some taught full- or part-time or conducted research. Others worked in hospitals and clinics, and for federal, state, or local government agencies. Independent contractors typically work in rural areas where it is very common for specialists -- typically oral surgeons or endodontists -- to come to an area where there are no specialists. Specialists then treat pre-scheduled patients in another dentist's office, renting office space and equipment, for one or two days and then move on to another rural appointment.

Employment of Dentists in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 130 annual openings is expected, with 25 due to growth and 105 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Based on the ratio of Dentists to population, there is currently an adequate supply of Dentists in Michigan. This is expected to remain for years to come. Technological advances have also increased the productivity of Dentists in recent years. The elimination of some of Michigan's highly regulatory policies in the dental industry would further increase productivity. The combined effect of a relatively large supply of Dentists and increased productivity resulted in a reduction in the entering class size of new dental students in Michigan's schools in recent years.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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