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Dentists, General

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $170,950 Median per year · $82.19/hr Most earn $86,250–$319,630

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
  • Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.
  • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
  • Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.
  • Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments.
  • 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.

Job outlook

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 4,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of dentists78.6%
  • Self-employed (their own business)12.4%
  • Offices of physicians2.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Dentist is not an entry-level job. Most people spend about 8 years or more after high school in college and dental school, plus a year or two of hands-on experience, before working as a general dentist.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a science such as biology or chemistry

    4 years

    You take the science courses dental schools require and build a strong GPA. Many students also take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) during this time.

  2. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree

    4 years

    You study oral health, surgery, and patient care, and get hands-on training in clinics. Graduating and passing your licensing exams lets you practice as a dentist.

  3. Dental Assistant or general practice experience

    1-2 years

    Early on-the-job experience, such as working in a dental office or completing a general practice residency, builds the skills you need to work on your own patients.

  4. Dentist, General

    Ongoing career

    You examine, diagnose, and treat teeth and gums, and you run your own practice or work in one.

Where it can lead

  1. Orthodontist

    1-2 years of experience first

    After extra specialty training in braces and tooth alignment, you focus only on correcting how teeth and jaws fit together.

  2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

    4-6 years of experience first

    After advanced surgical training, you perform complex procedures on the mouth, jaw, and face, such as tooth extractions and jaw surgery.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and mathThese classes build the science foundation you will need for college and dental school.
  • Volunteer at a dental or health clinicHands-on time in a clinic shows you what dental work involves and looks good on applications.
  • Join a science or health clubClubs like science olympiad or health occupations groups let you build teamwork and science skills.
  • Get a part-time job that involves peopleWorking in a store, restaurant, or front desk teaches communication and patience, which dentists use every day.
  • Explore pay and job details on your career pageYour results page shows typical pay near you and nationally, and the career page gives the full range.

In college

  • Major in biology, chemistry, or another scienceDental schools expect strong science coursework, and these majors cover the required classes.
  • Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) prep coursesPreparing for this test early gives you time to do well, since it is a key part of dental school applications.
  • Work as a dental assistant or front-desk staffThis starter job gives you real dental office experience and may count toward your 1-2 years of prior experience.
  • Shadow a dentistFollowing a dentist for a day or more helps you confirm this career is right for you and gives you a reference.
  • Join a pre-health student groupPre-dental clubs offer advice, guest speakers, and volunteer opportunities that strengthen your applications.

Tips for getting started

  • Take strong science classes in high school and college, and keep your grades high, since dental schools look closely at GPA and science grades.
  • Shadow or volunteer with a dentist to see what the daily work is really like before you commit to years of school.
  • Use your 1-2 years of experience wisely by learning patient care and office skills, which help you stand out when you apply to dental programs or jobs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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