Job
Description
Dentists
diagnose, prevent
and treat tissue and
teeth problems. They
remove decay, fill
cavities, examine
x-rays, straighten
teeth and repair
fractured teeth.
They administer
anesthetics and
write prescriptions.
Many oversee a
variety of
administrative
tasks.
Necessary
Education
Usually
a Bachelor’s
Degree and four
years of dental
school (D.D.S. –
Doctor of Dental
Surgery or D.M.D.
– Doctor of Dental
Medicine)
Helpful
High School Courses
Advanced
Mathematics,
Biology, Chemistry,
Health, Physics
Working
Conditions
-
Usually
work four or
five days a week
-
Some
evenings or
weekends may be
required to meet
patient’s
needs
-
Work
in clean, well
lighted office
-
May
work in clinics
or educational
labs
Salary
Range
-
2003,
Delaware average
annual salary,
$134,290
-
2003,
Delaware average
hourly wage,
$64.56
Career
Ladder Information
-
Post-graduate
training need to
prepare for a
specialty such
as an
orthodontist
(straighten
teeth) or a
periodontist
(treating gums
and bones
supporting
teeth)
-
Must
earn a medical
doctor degree to
practice oral
surgery
-
Need
to continue
lifelong
education
through seminars
and college
courses
-
Need
to keep current
with new
techniques and
health issues
Personal
Qualities and
Interests
You:
-
Have
good manual
skills
-
Have
excellent
judgment of
space and shape
-
Show
a high degree of
scientific
ability
-
Have
a good visual
memory
-
Have
business sense
and
self-discipline
-
Have
good
communication
skills
Did
you know?
Most
dentists are “solo
practitioners”.
They own their own
business and work
alone with a small
staff.
Additional
Information
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