This post provides exhaustive information on the job description of a dentist, to boost your knowledge of the duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.
It also presents the important requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the dentist role by most employers.
What Does a Dentist Do?
A dentist is a health care practitioner whose job description entails prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity.
The dentist’s supporting team helps in providing oral health services.
By the nature of their overall training, a licensed dentist can perform most dental treatments, such as periodontal (gum) therapy, orthodontics (braces), endodontic (root canal) therapy, restorative (crowns, bridges, dental restorations), prosthodontic (crown/bridge, dentures) and oral surgery (extraction of teeth), as well as perform examinations, and take diagnosis and radiographs (x-rays).
In addition, dentists can also engage in oral surgery procedures, like dental implant placement.
The duties and responsibilities of dentists can also include prescribing drugs like fluorides, pain killers, antibiotics, sedatives/hypnotics, local anesthetics, and any other medication that can take care of the various conditions that arise in the neck and head.
All dentists in the United States are required to graduate from high school and complete necessary courses like physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology and statistics/calculus.
While almost all dental schools require a minimum of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, a select few may consider admitting outstanding students after spending only 3 years of college, although this is very rare situation.
To apply for a dental course, prospective students would be required to take the Dental Admissions Test.
Admission to dental school is highly competitive and the number of admitted student is generally determined by factors like DAT scores, research, GPA, recommendation letters cum extracurricular activities.
In order to become licensed and qualified to perform the role of a dentist in any organization, you must first complete an accredited dental school curriculum, after which you would successfully master all clinical competencies as well as pass the national board exams.
Most dental schools curricula require a training of four years; some states however require dentists to also complete a post-graduate residency program.
In the United States, a newly graduated dentist would be awarded the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or the Doctor of Dental Medicine, (DMD) degree, depending on the dental school the person attended. The two degrees are equivalent.
A fresh graduate of dentistry may then pursue further specialty residency training program, which ranges from 2 to 6 years in one of the popular specialties.
Also, dentists are required to take part in continuing education where they would attend lectures in order to learn of recent developments and practice new methods in dentistry.
Dentist Job Description Example/Sample/Template
Most dentists’ job description will contain the following major tasks, duties, and responsibilities they must complete working in that position:
- Educate patients on oral healthcare
- Assess treatment options and agree to treatment plans with patients
- Carry out agreed clinical treatments like treating gum disease and restoring teeth affected by decay
- Maintain patients’ dental records
- Recruit, train and manage members of the medical staff
- Managing budgets and maintain stocks of equipment
- Update self of new developments via structured continuing professional development
- Market services to potential or prospective clients
- Administer anesthetics like carbon dioxide to relax patients
- Inform patients of problems with their gums or teeth
- Develop plans for treating patients
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics cum pain killers following dental procedures
- Remove tooth decay and fill cavities.
Dentist Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Career Success
To be hired as dentists, applicants are usually expected to have the following qualifications:
- Education
To be hired, dentists are expected to meet the following educational requirements:
- Obtain the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school.
- Successfully completed the prerequisite undergraduate courses (e.g., biology, chemistry, or anatomy).
2. Licensing
You are also required to meet the following licensing requirements:
- Pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) or INBDE
- Pass relevant clinical board examinations
- Obtain a state-specific dental license.
3. Clinical Skills
Individuals seeking the job of a dentist are expected to have the following clinical skills to be effective on the job:
- Strong diagnostic and examination skills
- Proficiency with dental instruments and equipment
- Ability to perform common treatments, including fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals, and cleanings
- Knowledge of dental radiography (X-rays).
4. Technical Knowledge
You are also expected to have the following technical knowledge to be hired for the role of a dentist:
- Understanding of oral pathology, anatomy, and physiology
- Knowledge of anesthetics and pain management
- Infection control and sterilization protocols
- Familiarity with dental software and charting systems.
5. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
The following communication and interpersonal skills are required for hiring for the dentist job:
- Ability to explain procedures clearly
- Comfort interacting with patients of all ages
- Patient education on oral hygiene and treatment options
- Empathy and active listening.
6. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
It is also important for dentist to have the following problem-solving and critical thinking abilities:
- Ability to develop treatment plans
- Strong decision-making skills during urgent or emergency dental cases.
7. Physical & Dexterity Requirements
Candidates for the dentist role should also meet the following physical and dexterity requirements: Â
- Excellent hand–eye coordination
- Manual dexterity for precise procedures
- Ability to work long hours in seated/leaning positions.
8. Professional Qualities
The following professional qualities are also required from candidates for the dentist position:
- Attention to detail
- High ethical standards and professionalism
- Patience and calmness
- Ability to work independently and with a dental team.
9. Optional (But Valuable) Requirements
Although this is optional, however, having the following requirements may be helpful in your application for a dentist job:
- Specialization in any of orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, or oral surgery, etc.
- CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Experience through internships, residencies, or private practice
- Business or administrative skills for running a dental practice.
Conclusion
This post has provided detailed coverage of the duties, tasks, and responsibilities that usually make up the dentist job description, to help you understand what they do.
It has also provided the major requirements that candidates seeking the dentist job are expected to meet to be hired.
Individuals interested in the dentist career and employers will find this article helpful in learning about what dentist do, and for making a detailed job description for the position.
In fact, employers can apply the sample dentist job description provided on this page in making one for their organization.
