Specialist dentist

About this occupation

Specialist dentists prevent, diagnose and treat anomalies and diseases affecting the teeth, mouth, jaws and adjoining tissues specialised in oral surgery or orthodontics.

• Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
• Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
• Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
• Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
• Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
• Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.

Typical education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Investigative, Realistic, Social

Top skills: Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning

US median pay: US$170,950 a year (2025), 124,390 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.2)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.8)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
• ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
• PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.4)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.