Career Profile: Dentists, General

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 127,600 people employed as dentists, general in the United States. The median annual salary is $160,370. Entry level employees earn approximately $62,810 per year and senior employees earn approximately $208,000 (or more) per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
• Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
• Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
• Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
• Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.
• Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs.
• Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color.
• Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.
• Apply fluoride or sealants to teeth.
• 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.
• Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
• Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
• Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
• Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments.
• Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.
• 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.

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