Dentists, General Salary in Portland, ME

Common tasks

• Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
• Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
• 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.
• Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
• Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
• Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
• Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
• Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
• Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
• Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.