Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems of the teeth and tissues of the mouth. They remove decay and fill cavities, examine x-rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery of the gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make molds and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. Dentists provide instruction in diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care, as well. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications. Most dentists are general practitioners who handle a wide variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in one of eight specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists, straighten teeth. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operate on the mouth and jaws. The remainder specialize in pediatric dentistry; periodontics (treating the gums and the bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontics (making artificial teeth or dentures); endodontics (root canal therapy); dental public health; and oral pathology (studying diseases of the mouth).

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed. To qualify for a license in most States, a candidate must graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass written and practical examinations. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the State licensing by passing the National Board of Dental Examinations. Individual States or regional testing agencies give the written and/or practical examinations. All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). They consider scores earned on the DAT, the applicants’ grade point average, and personal recommendations when selecting students. Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment of space and shape, and a high degree of manual dexterity. Good business sense, self-discipline, communication skills, and the ability to instill confidence are helpful for success in private practice. High school students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health and mathematics.

• Doctorate Degree

Employment of dentists is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Nevertheless, job prospects should continue to improve, because the number of dental school graduates has dropped sharply since the early 1980’s and is not likely to increase through 2005. Demand for dental care should grow substantially through 2005. As members of the baby boom generation advance into middle age, a large number will need maintenance on complicated dental work like bridges. Elderly people are more likely to retain their teeth than their predecessors, so they will require much more care than in the past. The younger generation will continue to need preventive check-ups despite treatments like fluoridation of the water supply which decrease the incidence of dental cavities. Furthermore, many people, who presently can not afford the dental care they need, will seek more dental care as disposable income rises.

Dentists examine, diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and abnormalities. So do optometrists, physicians, chiropractors, veterinarians, and podiatrists.

$129,030

• University Of Missouri - Kansas City
• University Of Missouri - Kansas City School Of Dentistry/Dental Hygiene
• University Of Oklahoma College Of Dentistry

• American Academy Of Dental Practice Administration
• American Association Of Dental Schools
• American Association Of Hospital Dentists, Inc.
• American Association Of Women Dentists
• American College Of Dentists
• American Dental Association
• National Dental Association