Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, give advice and administere care to help prevent future problems. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides and other aspects of dental care. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine X-rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in any of nine specialty areas: orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, pediatric dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, oral pathologists, oral and maxillofacial radiologists and dental public health specialists.1
1.United States Department of Labor. 2011-07-28. URL: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm. Accessed: 2011-07-28. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/60W9HZKRc)