 Dentists
diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth or mouth tissue. They
remove decay, fill cavities, examine x-rays, place protective plastic
sealants on children's teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured
teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones
to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and
measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth.
 They provide
instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other
aspects of dental care. They also administer anesthetics and write
prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
 Dentists
use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines; drills; and
instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and
scalpels.
They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect
themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
|
|
