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Healthcare

Dentist

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. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

Annual openings

158

Median wage

$166,240

Typical education

First professional degree

Growth 2026–2032

+9%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

First professional degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenMay vary
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Healthcare
  • Dentristry

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. 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.
  2. Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
  3. Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
  4. Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
  5. Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
  6. Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
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