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Pediatric Dentist

Occupation Information table
Overview: Pediatric dentistry is the practice and teaching of comprehensive, and preventive oral health care for children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentistry also includes the care for special needs patients past the age of adolescence. This includes patients who are medically compromised or have developmental disorders, and those who show mental, physical, and/or emotional problems.
Duties:

They diagnose patient's problems with teeth and gums for purposes of prevention and correction of diseases, decay, malformations and injuries.

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 as needed.

Aside from the routine preventitive care associated with dentistry, Pediatric Dentists spend a considerable amount of their time educating both the parents and children on oral health care needs, and helping children overcome their fears and accepting health service as a rewarding experience.
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.
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 training programs require successful completion of the Dental Admission Test. 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.
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.
  • 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:
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
 

* 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.