Dentists are healthcare professionals who provide preventive and restorative treatments for problems that affect the mouth and teeth.
Most dentists work as self-employed practitioners in general practice, providing dental care to the public under The National Health Service (NHS) and/or privately. Others work in salaried posts within a variety of specialisms in hospital dentistry, community dentistry, the armed forces, corporate practices, industry, or university teaching and research.
A general dental practitioner (GDP) typically leads a team made up of dental care professionals (DCPs) and treats a wide range of patients, from children to the elderly.
Typical work activities
Most dentists work in dental practices where, in addition to the dentist(s), the team may include a receptionist, dental nurse, dental hygienist, dental therapist and dental technician.
A dentist is typically responsible for:
educating patients on oral healthcare;
examining teeth and diagnosing patients' dental conditions by using tools such as x-rays;
assessing treatment options and agreeing treatment plans with patients;
carrying out agreed clinical treatments such as restoring teeth affected by decay and treating gum disease;
maintaining patients' dental records;
recruiting, training and managing staff;
managing budgets and maintaining stocks of equipment;
keeping abreast of new developments through structured continuing professional development (CPD);
marketing services to potential clients.