Dentists, General
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth.
Dentists, General examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. The role reports a median annual salary of $172,790 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $79,060 and $239,200 and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Doctoral or professional degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.27 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Dentists, General, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Entrance exam NEET-UG for admission to BDS[1]
- 2 · Qualification BDS degree from a recognised dental college[2]
- 3 · Registration Registration as a dentist (Indian Dentists Register / State Dental Council)[2]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- MCC UG Medical Counselling — Medical Counselling Committee, MoHFW (read on 2026-09-27)
- National Dental Commission (formerly DCI) — home (read on 2026-09-27)
Entrance exams on this route — Dates, eligibility and cut-offs for the exams on the way to this career:
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Personnel and Human Resources
A day in the life
Your morning starts by reviewing X-rays and patient charts, then you head into the operatory for a mix of cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals—each procedure requiring steady hands and intense focus. Between patients you consult with hygienists, review treatment plans, and explain procedures to nervous patients in a way that puts them at ease. Afternoons might include a cosmetic case like veneers, an emergency extraction for a patient in pain, or a business meeting about practice management since many dentists own their own clinic. The blend of detailed clinical work, patient relationships, and entrepreneurship makes every day different.
Illustrative: one typical day. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- 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.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Dentists, General do?
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth.
What does a typical day look like in Dentists, General?
Your morning starts by reviewing X-rays and patient charts, then you head into the operatory for a mix of cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals—each procedure requiring steady hands and intense focus. Between patients you consult with hygienists, review treatment plans, and explain procedures to nervous patients in a way that puts them at ease.
How much does Dentists, General earn?
The median annual salary for Dentists, General in the US is $172,790. The middle 80% of workers earn between $79,060 and $239,200 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $119,200 and $239,200.
What is the job outlook for Dentists, General?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 129,800 workers.
How do I become dentists, general?
The typical entry education is a Doctoral or professional degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Dentists, General need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Dentists, General?
Our AI-durability model gives Dentists, General a score of 0.27 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Dentists, General has very high barrier to entry — very highly gated — extended graduate education, licensure, or years of specialised training are required.