{"id":24035,"date":"2022-07-08T15:35:48","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T10:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/?p=24035"},"modified":"2025-11-27T16:39:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T11:09:12","slug":"what-is-working-as-a-general-dentist-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/what-is-working-as-a-general-dentist-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What is working as a general dentist like?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A general dentist is a type of dentist<\/a> with an emphasis on treating common oral health issues like cavities, gingivitis, and plaque. Because general dentists don\u2019t specialize in any one area of dentistry, they are able to treat a wide range of patients. General dentists can work in private practices, clinics or hospitals. To become a general dentist, you\u2019ll need to complete undergraduate prerequisites like chemistry, biology and anatomy. You’ll also need to graduate from dental school and complete an additional two years of training as a general dentist. Finding a career as a dentist requires some research, but it\u2019s not impossible! If you want to practice general dentistry \u2014 here\u2019s what you should know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get In Touch<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What does a day in the life of a general dentist look like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a general dentist, you\u2019ll spend a lot of time examining, diagnosing and treating patients. After your initial exam, you\u2019ll likely recommend an x-ray and oral cancer screenings, if necessary. General dentists often have multiple patients scheduled in one day, so you\u2019ll need to be efficient and organized.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dentists specialize in treating common dental health issues like cavities and plaque. If you work in a private practice, you\u2019ll treat a range of patients from children to seniors. You\u2019ll also help patients develop long-term dental care plans, which may include taking preventive measures like brushing and flossing regularly, receiving regular cleanings, and getting dental sealants. Dentists also need to be able to administer local anesthesia to patients and perform procedures like fillings and root canals.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The duties of a General Dentist!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Administer local anesthesia and perform dental procedures: General dentists perform a range of dental procedures like fillings and root canals. You may also be required to administer local anaesthesia to patients who need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diagnose common dental issues<\/strong>: Dentists specialise in treating common dental problems, like cavities and plaque. You may be trained to diagnose a range of issues from gum disease to tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Educate patients on dental health:<\/strong> General dentists are often tasked with educating their patients about prevention, like brushing and flossing regularly, receiving regular cleanings, and getting dental sealants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manage a dental practice:<\/strong> As a dental practice manager, you might be responsible for overseeing things like scheduling appointments, managing the business finances, and hiring staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health benefits of being a general dentist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High salary:<\/strong> As a general dentist, you can expect a higher salary than dentists who specialize in a certain area of dentistry. The median annual salary for general dentists is approximately $156,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexible schedule: <\/strong>Because dentists don\u2019t specialize in any one area of dentistry, they are able to treat a wide range of patients. This means you\u2019ll have a flexible schedule and be able to accommodate working full-time or part-time.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Job security: <\/strong>There are a wide range of dental problems \u2014 such as cavities, gingivitis, and plaque \u2014 that everyone experiences. Because there is a constant need for dental care, general dentists are employed in all industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low risk of work-related injury: <\/strong>General dentists are not exposed to the same level of risk as other health care professionals. You\u2019ll spend most of your time in an office setting, which poses a low risk of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawbacks to being a general dentist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While general dentistry<\/strong> offers a wide range of benefits, it also comes with a few drawbacks<\/strong>. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long hours: <\/strong>Dentists have long hours, often working more than 40 hours a week. You may be required to spend your lunch break seeing patients and working on administrative tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harder to find a job<\/strong>: There are a wide range of dental problems \u2014 such as cavities, gingivitis, and plaque \u2014 that everyone experiences. Because there is a constant need for dental care, dentists are employed in all industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longer training period<\/strong>: You\u2019ll need to complete a two-year residency program after graduating from dental school. This means you\u2019ll complete your dental education after five to six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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