Occupation information for

Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Currently Employed: 181,800

Yearly Projected Openings: 10,490

Typical Hourly Wage: $27.95 - $40.66

Typical Annual Salary: $58,100 - $84,600

• Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
• Record and review patient medical histories.
• Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
• Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
• Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
• Expose and develop x-ray film.
• Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
• Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
• Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
• Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.

• Dental lasers
• Dental probes
• Dental scalers or accessories
• Dental x ray units
• Teeth cleaning devices or accessories

• Accounting software
• Calendar and scheduling software
• Inventory management software
• Medical software
• Word processing software