According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases. | 98% |
| 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. | 95% |
| Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures. | 94% |
| Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements. | 93% |
| Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue. | 91% |
| Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services. | 91% |
| Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications. | 90% |
| Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians. | 90% |
| Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services. | 90% |
| Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials. | 89% |
| Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments. | 89% |
| Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments. | 85% |
| Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims. | 84% |
| Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease. | 83% |
| Apply fluoride or sealants to teeth. | 81% |
| Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments. | 81% |
| Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth. | 79% |
| Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs. | 72% |
| Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color. | 69% |
| Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials. | 68% |
