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Text File | 1995-10-24 | 9.3 KB | 199 lines

199
Dentists

(D.O.T.  072, except .117)

Nature of the Work

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.

   Dentists use a variety of equipment including X-ray machines,
drills, and instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps,
brushes, and scalpels.

   Dentists in private practice oversee a variety of administrative
tasks, including bookkeeping, and buying equipment and supplies.
They may employ and supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants,
dental laboratory technicians, and receptionists.  (These
occupations are described elsewhere in the Handbook.)

   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 (dentistry for children); 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).

   Dentists wear protective garments to avoid transmission of diseases.

Working Conditions

Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week.  Some dentists work evenings
and weekends to meet their patients' needs.  Most full-time dentists
work about 40 hours a week; some worked more.  Younger dentists may
work fewer hours as they build up their practice, while established
dentists often work fewer hours as they grow older.  A considerable
number continue in part-time practice well beyond the usual
retirement age.

   Most dentists are solo practitioners, that is they own their own
businesses and work alone or with a small staff.  Some dentists have
partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate dentists.

   Dentists wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect
themselves and their patients from infectious diseases like
hepatitis.

Employment

Dentists held about 183,000 jobs in 1992.  About 9 out of 10
dentists are in private practice.  Others work in private and public
hospitals and clinics, and in dental research.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

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 Dental
Examinations.  Individual States or regional testing agencies give
the written and/or practical examinations.

   Currently, about 15 States require dentists to obtain a specialty
license before practicing as a specialist.  Requirements include 2
to 4 years of post graduate education and, in some cases, completion
of a special State examination.  Most State licenses permit dentists
to engage in both general and specialized practice.  Dentists who
want to teach or do research usually spend an additional 2 to 5
years in advanced dental training in programs operated by dental
schools or hospitals.

   Dental schools require a minimum of 2 years of college-level
predental education.  However, most dental students have at least a
bachelor's degree.  Predental education includes courses in both the
sciences and humanities.

   All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions
Test (DAT).  They consider scores earned on the DAT, the applicants'
overall grade point average (GPA), science course GPA, and
information gathered through recommendations and interviews when
selecting students.

   Dental school generally lasts 4 academic years.  Studies begin with
classroom instruction and laboratory work in basic sciences
including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology.
Beginning courses in clinical sciences, including laboratory
technique courses, also are provided at this time.  During the last
2 years, students treat patients, usually in dental clinics under
the supervision of licensed dentists.

   Most dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery
(D.D.S).  The rest award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental
Medicine (D.M.D.).

   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, as well as scientific
ability.  Good business sense, self-discipline, communiciation
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.

   Some recent dental school graduates work for established dentists as
associates for a year or two in order to gain experience and save
money to equip an office of their own.  Most dental school
graduates, however, purchase an established practice or open a new
practice immediately after graduation.  Each year about one-fourth
to one-third of new graduates enroll in postgraduate training
programs to prepare for a dental specialty.

Job Outlook

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.  Dental school
enrollments began dropping in 1979, as it became clear that keen
competition for patients had developed.  This surplus of dentists
was attributable to the very large numbers of dental graduates that
resulted from a Federal decision during the 1960's to support
expansion of the Nation's dental schools.

   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.  Plus, 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 caries.  Furthermore, many
people, who presently can not afford the dental care they need, will
seek more dental care as disposable income rises.

   However, the employment of dentists is not expected to grow as
rapidly as the demand for dental services.  Many dentists do not
have as many patients as they would like and could take on more.
Also, as their practices expand, dentists are likely to hire more
dental hygienists and dental assistants to handle routine services
that they now perform themselves.

   Replacement needs create relatively few job openings for dentists
since dentists tend to remain in the profession beyond the usual
retirement age.

Earnings

The net median income of dentists in private practice was about
$90,000 a year in 1992, according to the American Dental
Association.  Net median income of those in specialty practices was
about $130,000 a year, and for those in general practice, $85,000 a
year.  Dentists in the beginning years of their practice often earn
less, while those in mid-careers earn more.

   A relatively large proportion of dentists are self-employed.  Like
other business owners, these dentists must provide their own health
insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits.

Related Occupations

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

Sources of Additional Information

   For information on dentistry as a career and a list of accredited
dental schools, contact:

   SELECT Program, Department of Career Guidance, American Dental
Association, 211 E.  Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

   American Association of Dental Schools, 1625 Massachusetts Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20036.

   The American Dental Association also will furnish a list of State
boards of dental examiners.  Persons interested in practicing
dentistry should obtain the requirements for licensure from the
board of dental examiners of the State where they plan to work.

   Prospective dental students should contact the office of student
financial aid at the schools to which they apply for information on
scholarships, grants, and loans, including Federal financial aid.