Dentists

Dentists typically perform the following tasks: • Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases. • 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. • Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures. • Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements. • Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue. • Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services. • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications. • Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services. • Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians. • Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials. • Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments. • Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments. • 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. • Apply fluoride or sealants to teeth. • Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments. • Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth. • Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs. • Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color. • Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.