I carpool to work at 8am. It is about a 1 hour commute to work for us, but we try to make it fun. From 8-12 and 1-5 we see numerous patients. I do everything from dental exams, to crowns/bridges, to oral surgeries. I work on all age ranges, from 3-90+ years of age, so it is really a diverse patient base. A lot of the work we do is dental emergencies and getting people out of their immediate pain, but I am also working on comprehensive treatments that will take months to years to complete.
CAREER
Dentists, General
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$158,940
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+2.8% (slower than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Dentists, General Do
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.
Other Job Titles Dentists, General May Have
Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS), Dentist, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Family Dentist, General Dentist, Pediatric Dentist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Check the schedule for the day. I look at what all restorative treatment my patients are needing. Performing dental exams and taking note and sign all orders.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Dentists, General
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Doctoral or professional degree (98%)
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Doctorate
Dentistry
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Bachelor of Science
Doctorate
Dental Clinical Sciences, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
I think that anything that helps with team management and business management will really help in a dental practice. You have to learn to communicate with others and work not just as a leader but as a student at times as well. That is why I always believed that sports really helped me gain these qualities. Furthermore, I studied business management in college and that helped me understand team building, communication, and the financial aspect of business models.
Having a good communication skills listening and understanding people.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Set GOALS, meet people you trust in the profession to have a mentor to help you job shadow.
While you're still in high school, figure out what classes are good to take that match up with your career. Then, as you get closer to graduating, figure out what college has the best things for you.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
