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Dentists, General

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29-1021)

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.

At a Glance

Dentists, General earns a median of $172,790/yr with +4.1% projected growth. Typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree. Top skills: Attention to Detail, Medicine and Dentistry, Dependability.

Median Annual Wage

$172,790/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.1%

Annual Openings

4

Typical Education

Doctoral or professional degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (17)

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

4.1
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.1
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.0
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

4.0
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

4.0
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.9
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.9
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.9
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.9
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

3.8
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.8
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.8
Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

3.5
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.3
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.3

Knowledge (6)

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

5.0
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.2
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.9
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

3.5
Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

3.4
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.3

Abilities (21)

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.3
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

4.3
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.1
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.1
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

4.1
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4.1
Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

4.0
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.9
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.9
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.9
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.9
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.8
Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

3.6
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.5
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.4
Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

3.3
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3

Technology (4)

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Henry Schein Dentrix

Category: Medical software | Hot Technology

4.5
eClinicalWorks EHR software

Category: Medical software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (34)

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.7
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.7
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.6
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.4
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.4
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.3
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.3
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

4.2
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.1
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.1
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

4.1
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

4.1
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.0
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.0
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

4.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.9
Staffing Organizational Units

Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

3.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.6
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.6
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.5
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.4
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.4
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.4
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.3
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

3.3

Work Styles (4)

Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

5.0
Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

4.3
Cautiousness

A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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