Dentist

Common tasks

• 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.
• Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
• Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
• Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
• Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.

Most important skills

Judgment and Decision Making

Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

Critical Thinking

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

Monitoring

Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

Active Listening

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

Social Perceptiveness

Understanding people's reactions.

Reading Comprehension

Reading work-related information.

Active Learning

Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

Speaking

Talking to others.