Dentist Career Guide

What is a dentist?

A dentist is a doctor for your teeth, gums, and mouth. They play a big part in keeping your mouth clean and your smile bright, which is super important for your overall health. Dentists need to know a lot about the inside of your mouth and how everything works together.

These doctors check out your mouth to catch any problems early on, like cavities or gum disease, and fix them. They’re the ones you see first if you have a toothache or any worries about your teeth.

Duties and responsibilities

Dentists spend most of their time examining people’s mouths and fixing any problems they find. They also give advice on how to avoid dental issues in the future. Sometimes, they need to do big jobs like root canals or pulling teeth. They use special X-ray pictures to figure out what’s going on inside your teeth and gums, and they help make things like bridges and dentures that fit just right.

Work environment

Dentists usually work in dental offices that are set up just right for looking at and fixing teeth. The place is filled with tools and machines they need to do their job. They try to make sure you feel calm and safe, even if you’re a bit scared of dental visits.

They can also work in hospitals or other medical places, and they work closely with other dental staff, like assistants and hygienists. Dentists often work under bright lights so they can see everything clearly when they work on your teeth.

Typical work hours

Dentists usually work about 36 to 40 hours a week, but their schedules can change a lot based on where they work or if they have their own practice. They sometimes work evenings or weekends to help more people or deal with dental emergencies, like if someone knocks out a tooth.

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How to become a dentist

Becoming a dentist involves several clear steps, starting from school all the way to getting your dentist’s license. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Get a bachelor’s degree

First off, you need to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree. You don’t have to study anything specific, but it’s a good idea to focus on science subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry because they will help you a lot later in dental school.

Step 2: Pass the DAT

After college, you’ll need to take the Dental Admissions Test or DAT. This test checks how well you understand science and if you’re ready for dental school. Doing well on this test makes it easier to get into a good school.

Step 3: Go to dental school

Next, you need to spend about four years in dental school. The first half of dental school is mostly classroom learning and lab work, while the second half lets you work on real patients under supervision.

Step 4: Earn your dental degree

When you finish dental school, you’ll get a degree as either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Both degrees mean you’ve learned a lot through classes, labs, and real dental work.

Step 5: Get your license

To actually work as a dentist, you need a license. This means passing some tests that show you know your stuff when it comes to teeth. Every state has its own requirements, but most ask you to pass a written and a hands-on test.

Step 6: Consider a specialty (optional)

If you want to focus on a specific part of dentistry, like braces (orthodontics) or kids’ teeth (pediatric dentistry), you’ll need extra training and more tests. This usually means a few more years in a residency program.

Step 7: Gain experience

Finally, once you’re licensed, you’ll start working. Most start by working with experienced dentists before maybe opening their own office. This is how you get better at your job and build a group of patients who trust you.

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How much do dentists make?

Compensation for dentists varies by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. Unique factors impacting their income include specialization, such as orthodontics or pediatric dentistry, and the number of hours they operate, with some running after-hours or weekend clinics for increased revenue.

Highest paying states

Browse dentist salary data by market

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Types of dentists

Dentistry is full of different jobs, depending on what you like and where your skills are. Here’s a quick look at the types of dentists you might meet or become one day:

• General dentist: These are the dentists you probably see most often, taking care of teeth for people of all ages. They take care of basic teeth stuff like check-ups, cleanings, and fillings. 
• Pediatric dentist: These dentists are all about kids! From babies to teenagers, they make sure young people’s teeth are growing right. 
• Orthodontist: Think braces! Orthodontists make sure your teeth and jaws are lined up nicely. 
• Periodontist: These dentists focus on gums. They treat gum diseases and help keep gums healthy to support your teeth, especially for people who have health issues like diabetes that can affect the gums.
• Endodontist: Ever heard of a root canal? That’s what endodontists do; they deal with tooth pain and save teeth by treating the inside of the tooth.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon: These surgeons work on the face and mouth. They do big jobs like pulling out wisdom teeth, fixing broken jaws, or even surgery to make someone’s face and mouth look and work better after an accident.
• Prosthodontist: If someone loses a tooth (or a few), prosthodontists step in. They make dentures or bridges to replace missing teeth, helping people eat, talk, and smile normally again.

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Top skills for dentists

Being a dentist isn’t just about knowing a lot about teeth. Here are some key skills that make a dentist great at their job:

• Steady hands and good coordination: Dentists need to have really steady hands because they work in small spaces inside your mouth. Being able to control their tools precisely without messing up is super important.
• Great with people: These doctors spend a lot of time talking to patients. They need to be good at explaining things clearly and making sure people feel comfortable, especially since going to the dentist can be scary for some. 
• Quick thinking and problem-solving: No two mouths are the same, so dentists often have to think quickly to figure out the best way to fix a tooth problem. They need to be good at making decisions fast.
• Eye for detail: They have to notice little things that might be signs of bigger issues. These doctors need to be really good at spotting even the smallest signs of problems to help keep your teeth healthy.
• Always learning: Dentistry is always changing with new tools and ways to care for teeth. They must keep learning about the latest technologies and treatments to give their patients the best care possible.

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Dentist career path

A job as a dentist can take you on many different paths, depending on what you’re interested in and how much more you want to learn.

Specializations

Dentists can learn more to become experts in specific areas like:

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: These dentists become surgeons who work on the mouth, jaws, and face. They often work with other types of doctors, like those who specialize in ear, nose, and throat issues.
• Orthodontics: These are the dentists who fit braces and make sure teeth are straight.
• Endodontics: They focus on the inside of the teeth, like doing root canals.
• Periodontics: They take care of gums and the bones that hold teeth in place.
• Prosthodontics: These dentists make dentures, crowns, and bridges.
• Pediatric dentistry: They specialize in treating kids.
• Public health dentistry: These doctors work to prevent dental problems in communities.
• Oral pathology: They study diseases in the mouth.

Getting into one of these areas means more school and training, but it also means you can do more specialized work, often with better pay.

Beyond clinical work

If you decide you want to do something different after working as a dentist for a while, you have options:

• Management: Some get additional degrees in healthcare management to help run hospitals or dental clinics.
• Education: Or, if you like teaching, you could become a professor or even a dean at a dental school by getting an education degree.

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Similar job titles

• Dental Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
• Oral Surgeon
• Orthodontist
• Physician
• Physician Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• Medical Science Liaison

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Position trends and outlook for dentists

Dentistry is a pretty solid career choice, but it’s getting even cooler with new tech. Here’s what’s happening:

• New technologies: CAD/CAM lets dentists make things like crowns super fast, sometimes in just one visit, using computer-aided design and manufacturing. Lasers are also becoming popular because they make treatments less scary and help you heal faster.
• Focus on prevention: Dentists are teaching more about how eating right helps keep your teeth healthy. They’re working with other types of doctors more, like psychologists to help with fear of the dentist, or sleep experts for issues like sleep apnea. 
• Changes in the workplace: There’s a shift from them working alone to joining bigger groups, which might change how they work. These doctors are moving around more in their careers, which can make the job more interesting and satisfying.

Employment projections

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for dentists is expected to grow by 6% through 2031. That’s pretty standard growth, but the demand for dental work will keep going up. Why? Because there are more older people who need care, more people want their teeth to look great, and everyone is learning how important healthy teeth are to overall health.

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Dentist career tips

Know your role well

Being a dentist is about more than just fixing teeth. You’re also a teacher who helps people understand how to take care of their mouths, a business manager if you run your own clinic, and a key player in your patients’ overall health. Understanding all these parts of your job can make you a better dentist and help your patients a lot.

Make connections

Creating a network of other professionals can really boost your career. You can find out about job openings, meet new clients, or learn from the experiences of others. Here are some places where you can start building connections:

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
• DentalXP – an online dental education site

Stay updated

Dentistry keeps changing with new tech and treatments popping up all the time. To keep up and stay good at your job, you need to keep learning:

• Attend workshops and dental conferences
• Read dental journals and publications
• Take courses in new dental fields like cosmetic dentistry or dental implants

Use the latest tech

Jump on the tech train with 3D printing for implants, laser treatments, and digital X-rays. These can make your treatments better and show your patients that you’re up-to-date with the latest in dental care.

Don’t forget your soft skills

Knowing all about teeth is crucial, but so is how you treat people. Being kind, really listening, and showing patience can make a huge difference. Remember, a lot of people are scared of going to the dentist, so these skills can help calm their nerves and make them feel more comfortable.

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FAQs