Where do Dentist earn the highest salaries?
The median salary for a Dentist ranges from $80,000 in Los Angeles, CA to $195,000 in Seattle, WA. Besides the location of employees, differences in salaries are often driven by factors such as years of experience, education, and industry.
City | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | Average Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seattle, WA | $84,000 | $195,000 | $195,750 | $327,000 |
Philadelphia, PA | $75,500 | $140,000 | $155,124 | $260,000 |
Washington, DC | $26,000 | $130,000 | $137,529 | $321,000 |
New York, NY | $50,960 | $130,000 | $135,557 | $289,600 |
Austin, TX | $57,460 | $130,000 | $135,705 | $285,700 |
Portland, OR | $64,080 | $120,000 | $129,496 | $233,600 |
Phoenix, AZ | $54,000 | $120,000 | $122,046 | $200,000 |
Denver, CO | $60,000 | $120,000 | $116,824 | $249,600 |
Common employee benefits for Dentists in New York, NY
It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. In addition to a competitive base salary, offering benefits is a great way to attract and retain top Dentists in New York, NY. Build the right benefits package for your team with Gusto!
401(k) | Paid Time Off | Work From Home |
401(k) Matching | Paid Sick Time | Flexible Schedule |
Health insurance | Parental Leave | Commuter Benefits |
Dental Insurance | Professional Development | Life Insurance |
Dentist Job Description
In your role as a Dentist, you'll deliver top-notch dental care to our patients, diagnosing and addressing dental concerns while championing oral health. Operating within a patient-centered setting, you'll prioritize exceptional patient experiences, thereby fostering the advancement and prosperity of our practice. View Full Job Description.
Dentist Interview Questions
In dentistry's competitive landscape, choosing the ideal candidate for your practice is crucial for achieving success. We provide key interview questions tailored for hiring dentists, shedding light on their qualifications, patient-focused methodology, and adeptness in navigating demanding scenarios. From validating their educational credentials to evaluating their proficiency in handling dental emergencies and dedication to keeping abreast of industry innovations, our interview aid form a comprehensive framework for ensuring top-tier recruitment standards. View Top Interview Questions for Dentist.
What is a Dentist?
A dentist is a healthcare professional specializing in oral health, encompassing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental issues. With extensive training and expertise in dentistry, dentists play a pivotal role in maintaining and restoring patients' oral well-being.
They examine teeth and gums, diagnose oral conditions such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, and devise treatment plans tailored to individual needs. Dentists perform various procedures, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, and dental surgeries, aiming to alleviate pain, improve functionality, and enhance aesthetics. Additionally, they educate patients on proper oral hygiene practices and provide guidance on preventive measures to minimize dental problems.
Dentists work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, collaborating with dental assistants, hygienists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive dental care.
What does a Dentist do?
Dentists play a crucial role in promoting oral health and overall well-being by ensuring patients' oral health. Their primary duties include:
- Examination and Diagnosis: Dentists thoroughly examine patients' teeth, gums, and oral tissues to diagnose dental conditions such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.
- Treatment Planning: Based on their diagnosis, dentists develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs, including procedures such as fillings, root canals, extractions, or periodontal treatments.
- Dental Procedures: Dentists perform a wide range of dental procedures to restore oral health and function, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
- Preventive Care: Dentists emphasize preventive care to help patients maintain optimal oral health, including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral hygiene education.
- Patient Education: Dentists educate patients about proper oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices contributing to good oral health. They also provide guidance on oral care products and techniques.
- Emergency Care: Dentists are trained to handle dental emergencies such as broken teeth or dental trauma, providing immediate relief and treatment as needed.
- Referrals: Dentists may refer patients to specialists such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, or endodontists for specialized treatments beyond their scope of practice.
- Record Keeping: Dentists maintain detailed records of patient's dental history, treatment plans, and procedures performed to track progress and ensure continuity of care.
While these are the primary tasks for most dentists, the actual day-to-day work varies depending on the dentist, their specialties, their practice, and more.
What skills does a Dentist need?
Dentists require a diverse set of skills to effectively perform their duties and provide high-quality dental care. These skills include:
- Clinical Competence: Proficiency in conducting dental examinations, diagnosing oral conditions, and performing a wide range of dental procedures with precision and accuracy.
- Manual Dexterity: Excellent hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are essential for performing delicate dental procedures, such as filling cavities, placing crowns, and performing root canals.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Dentists must be able to analyze complex dental problems, identify underlying causes, and develop effective treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs.
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are crucial for building rapport with patients, explaining treatment options and procedures in a clear and understandable manner, and addressing patient concerns and questions.
- Empathy and Compassion: Dentists should demonstrate empathy and compassion towards patients, especially those experiencing dental anxiety or discomfort, to create a supportive and reassuring environment.
- Attention to Detail: Dentists must pay close attention to detail when conducting dental examinations, performing procedures, and interpreting diagnostic tests to ensure accuracy and precision in diagnosis and treatment.
- Time Management: Efficient time management skills are essential for balancing patient appointments, conducting dental procedures, and completing administrative tasks within the constraints of a busy dental practice.
- Continuous Learning: Dentistry is a dynamic field with constant advancements in techniques, materials, and technology. Dentists must be committed to lifelong learning and staying updated with the latest developments to provide the best possible care to their patients.
Of course, this represents just the top skills most dentists use to excel in their profession. Many other skills are needed. This is especially true for those running their own practice, who will also need business acumen, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and even marketing know-how.
How to become a Dentist in New York?
Becoming a dentist in New York typically takes around 8 years. Most aspiring dentists follow these steps:
- Get your Bachelor's Degree: Complete a bachelor's degree program, preferably in a science-related field, with prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT): Take the DAT exam, a standardized test assessing knowledge and skills in natural sciences, perceptual ability, and reading comprehension. Achieve a competitive score.
- Earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Degree: Complete a dental school program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA), typically a 4-year program. Dental schools in New York include Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and New York University College of Dentistry, but you can attend outside the city in schools like the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
- Obtain Licensure: Pass the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Parts I and II. Apply for a dental license from the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, fulfilling requirements such as completing a state-approved clinical examination and background check.
- Complete Residency: Consider completing a postgraduate residency program for specialized training in areas such as general dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, or periodontics.
- Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements: Maintain licensure by completing continuing education courses as required by the New York State Education Department.
- Join Professional Associations: Consider joining professional organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA), New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), and local dental societies for networking, support, and continuing education opportunities.
Don’t forget to regularly check with the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions for any updates or changes to licensure requirements.
What types of Dentist are the highest paid?
The highest-paid dentists are typically those who specialize in specific areas of dentistry, such as:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $365,656
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons specialize in surgical treatments for mouth, jaw, and facial issues, including extractions, dental implants, jaw realignment, trauma repair, pathology diagnosis, and reconstructive surgery. - Periodontists: $230,393
Periodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating gum diseases and conditions affecting the supporting structures of teeth. They perform procedures such as gum grafts, periodontal surgeries, and dental implant placements to restore oral health and function. - Prosthodontists: $230,393
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral structures. They design and fit dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants to enhance oral function, aesthetics, and quality of life for patients. - Endodontists: $209,236
Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues. They perform root canal therapy to save infected or damaged teeth, alleviate pain, and preserve natural teeth whenever possible. - Orthodontists: $179,583
Orthodontists specialize in diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. They design and implement treatment plans using braces, aligners, and other orthodontic appliances to improve dental alignment, bite function, and facial aesthetics for patients of all ages.
Keep in mind that these figures represent average compensation. Actual salaries will vary based on many factors (as mentioned above).
Methodology
Gusto salary insights data is derived using Gusto’s real-time payroll data from over 400,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the country.