Description
Examine, diagnose, and treat conditions of the teeth, gums, and related oral tissues; provide preventive care, restorative and endodontic services, minor oral surgery, and fit dental appliances to maintain oral health and function.
- • Administer local anesthetics to manage pain during procedures.
- • Examine teeth, gums, and oral tissues using instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostics to evaluate health and diagnose conditions.
- • Develop individualized treatment plans.
- • Educate patients on preventive dental care, oral hygiene, and treatment options.
- • Restore teeth and adjust occlusion, including placing and finishing fillings.
- • Design, prescribe, or fit prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures.
- • Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, and related oral structures.
- • Perform endodontic procedures, including pulp capping and root canal therapy, and fill canals with endodontic materials.
- • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications as indicated.
- • Perform oral and periodontal surgeries on the jaw or mouth, including extractions and soft-tissue procedures.
- • Remove diseased tissue using surgical instruments.
- • Apply topical fluoride and dental sealants.
- • Clean, polish, or bleach teeth to improve appearance and oral health.
- • Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs and patient recall schedules.
- • Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials for patients.
- • Follow infection control protocols, using masks, gloves, and protective eyewear.
- • Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, and surgical implements safely.
- • Manage business operations, including supervising staff and handling paperwork or insurance claims.
Related specializations
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Available on paid plans only
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
