Dentists, General

Dentists, General

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.

  
Social
  
Investigative
  
Realistic
   
Average Outlook
   
$121k careers
   
Train for 4 years

What is this job like?

  • Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
  • Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
  • Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs.
  • Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.
  • Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
  • Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
  • Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
  • Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.
  • 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.
  • Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
  • Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments.
  • 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.
  • Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.
  • Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
  • Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
  • Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
  • Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
  • Apply fluoride or sealants to teeth.
  • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
  • Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color.
  • Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
  • Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
  • Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
  • Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
  • Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
  • Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs.
  • 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.

Local Wage Data

Showing wage data for: New Orleans

Entry

Median

High

Salary

Hourly Wage

$48,560

$121,020

$208,000

$23.35

$58.18

$100+