Dentist Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for dentists is expected to increase
by about 16% between 2010 and 2020. Thus, the prospects or job outlook for general dentists, oral
and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and prosthodontists is quite good.
Dentistry is a branch of medicine that is associated with the anatomy and development of teeth and
gums. It also involves the treatment of conditions associated with the teeth and gums. General
practitioners diagnose and treat dental problems and advise patients on ways to prevent such
problems. They perform dental exams, fill cavities, and extract teeth. The fields of specialization
within dentistry include dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral
maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and
prosthodontics. Thus, the job description would depend on the subspecialty of dentistry.
Dentists can choose to work for established offices or could set up their own practice. According to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the offices of dentist, specialty hospitals, and state government
designations are amongst the highest paying industries. With the growing awareness about the link
between dental health and overall health, availability of health insurance, and the increasing need
for dental services in the elderly, the job of a dentist is financially rewarding. The following sections
provide information on the average salary of a dentist.
Average Mean Wage of http://lyonsklic.centerblog.net/8-healthier-teeth-and-oral-hygiene-proven-tips
a Dentist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dentists was USD 149,310
in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more
than that amount and half earned less. While the top 10% earned USD 187,200 or more, the lowest
10% earned less than USD 73,840. It must be noted that various factors affect the salary. The salary
would vary, depending on the location, employer's credentials, number of years in practice, hours
worked, and specialty. In May 2012, the average salary of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and
orthodontists was around USD 187,200 or more, whereas prosthodontists earned around USD
169,130. General dentists earned around USD 145,240, whereas dentists and all other specialists
earned around USD 154,990.
According to the reports published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2014, the mean annual
wage for dentists is USD 168,580. The annual mean wage in Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Louisiana,
Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania falls within the range of USD 201,220 and USD
248,250.
Mean Annual Wage for Dentists
The following table provides the mean annual wage for general dentists in the different states as per
the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Alabama
USD 173,220
Alaska

USD 205,880
Arizona
USD 141,890
Arkansas
USD 160,520
California
USD 140,620
Colorado
USD 158,050
Connecticut
USD 183,460
Delaware
USD 224,830
Florida
USD 163,570
Georgia
USD 190,620
Hawaii
USD 167,470
Idaho
USD 169,360
Illinois
USD 141,980
Indiana
USD 143,780
Iowa

USD 174,480
Kansas
USD 173,720
Kentucky
USD 150,950
Louisiana
USD 148,240
Maine
USD 203,890
Maryland
USD 159,830
Massachusetts
USD 175,280
Michigan
USD 161,040
Minnesota
USD 193,690
Mississippi
USD 152,490
Missouri
USD 168,650
Montana
USD 130,390
Nebraska
USD 151,130
Nevada

USD 144,770
New Hampshire
USD 218,230
New Jersey
USD 156,640
New Mexico
USD 187,920
New York
USD 164,030
North Carolina
USD 205,820
North Dakota
USD 183,600
Ohio
USD 186,100
Oklahoma
USD 147,820
Oregon
USD 169,110
Pennsylvania
USD 166,690
Rhode Island
USD 183,180
South Carolina
USD 183,150
South Dakota

USD 164,590
Tennessee
USD 172,850
Texas
USD 185,760
Utah
USD 112,990
Vermont
USD 204,760
Virginia
USD 158,780
Washington
USD 177,890
West Virginia
USD 169,590
Wisconsin
USD 178,180
Wyoming
USD 183,490
Educational Requirements
High school students who aspire to become dentists should take up courses in biology, anatomy,
chemistry, etc. Dental schools might show a preference for those who have majored in biology,
chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, statistics, etc. A bachelor's degree is required
before getting admission in a dental school. College undergraduates who plan to pursue dentistry
are required to give Dental Admission Test (DAT) during the junior year. Dental schools require the
students to take up subjects such as anatomy, local anesthesia, periodontology, and radiology. Also,
the students will have to work with patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
In order to practice as a dentist, you will need to complete DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD
(Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree from an accredited school. Additional training is required, if one
wishes to specialize in one of the nine dental specialties. The training would last for 1-2 years, and

also requires one to complete a residency. So, becoming a specialist would mean 2-4 years of
additional education. Also, all dentists need to obtain a state license to be able to practice. They will
have to pass the National Board Dental Examinations and a practical examination approved by the
State's Licensing Board.
Job Description
In general, the job of a dentist involves the diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with a
patient's teeth and gums. Their job description includes treating tooth problems such as dental
caries, cracked/fractured teeth, crooked teeth, bite-related problems, teeth discoloration, tooth
extraction, root canal therapy, etc. The nature of their job would depend on the field they have
specialized in. For instance, orthodontists straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with
braces or other appliances, whereas oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaw,
teeth, gums, neck, and head. Periodontists treat the gums and bone supporting the teeth, whereas
the task of replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures (crowns and bridges) or dentures is
performed by prosthodontists. During these procedures, the dentists have to prescribe medicines,
examine X-rays, administer anesthesia, and use different types of equipment. Dentists also provide
instructions on dental care, so as to help prevent dental problems. This includes instructions on
brushing, flossing, use of fluoride, diet, etc. Dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental
laboratory technicians also work under their supervision.
In general, there's a great demand for dentists, and the job is financially rewarding as well. It has
been observed that dentists in private practice earn more than employed dentists, but the earning
potential depends on a host of factors. If you are an experienced dentist or specialist, you can surely
expect to get lucrative offers in terms of salary.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and the aforementioned figures are subject
to change.