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Dentist (DDS)

Occupation Information table
Overview: Dentists diagnose and treat disease, injury and malformations of teeth and gums. They use x-rays to diagnose and use drills & hand instruments to remove decay, and grind teeth. They take wax impressions to have bridges, caps, and false teeth constructed.
Duties: They diagnose patient's problems with teeth and gums for purposes of prevention and correction of diseases, decay, malformations and injuries.

They use his/her fine hand-eye coordination skills to drill and grind teeth using hand-held instruments, drills and other equipment.

They make wax impressions for bridges, crowns and caps. Match shades of white of patient's teeth with those available bridges. Fit final products by fine grinding of teeth and the appliance.

The interpret patient X-rays to diagnose tooth and gum condition and problems. Refer patients for further care to specialists such as oral surgeons and orthodontists.
Degree(s): A.S. Health Sciences 
A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science) 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 14% or higher from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Starting Salary: Those with a specialty practice can earn higher salaries.
Salary Range (National Average): $75,000 to $81,000
Growth: Growth
Education Level: Candidates for this occupation generally have completed their Bachelor’s Degree and have continued their education either 1 or 2 years longer.
Additional Training/Education: All states require dentists to be licensed. Licensing requires graduation from an accredited dental school and passing written and practical exams. In addition to completing four years of dental school, most dentists have a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college. Dental schools require a minimum of two years of pre-dental college training.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Identifying the most appropriate equipment and tools needed to get a job done.
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Using your hands to operated fine instruments and precision tools.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Recommended Values:
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work.
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.