Dental Services career pathway

A certified community health worker contributes to improving health outcomes by serving the community in which they reside or share a similar ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, or life experience. The term “community health worker,” includes but is not limited to other titles such as outreach worker, patient navigator, and promotores de salud.

A dental assistant performs limited clinical duties under the direction of a licensed dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

A dental laboratory technician constructs and repairs full or partial dentures and other dental appliances. Duties include working in a dental laboratory crafting custom devices such as crowns, bridges, dentures, orthodontic devices, and implants based on dentist specifications. Utilizes various materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers, to create precise and detailed dental products.

An expanded function dental assistant performs under the supervision of a licensed dentist, such as coronal polishing, placing and condensing amalgam restoration and other restorative materials, fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish, placing and removing rubber dams among other functions.

A registered dental hygienist administers oral hygiene services to patients. Clinical duties include assessing a patient for oral hygiene problems or needs, maintain health records, educate patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. They may also provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

A public dental hygiene practitioner is a licensed dental hygienist with an additional certification that can perform select educational, preventive, therapeutic and intra-oral procedures in public health settings without the authorization, assignment or examination of a dentist.

A certified school dental hygienist is a licensed dental hygienist with an educational specialist certificate to address the dental care needs of school-aged children in school settings that have a dental hygiene services program. Duties include developing and presenting educational and preventive dental health programs and services to students; providing supplemental instruction in the care and preservation of teeth, dental appliances, and dental hygiene; and perform dental screenings to students in lieu of a dentist's exam.

A dentist is a primary care provider for oral health. They diagnose, treat, and manage overall oral health, including routine checkups, fillings, extractions, preventive care, and patient education.

A dentist interested in specializing in a select dental field of practice can pursue post-doctoral residency program to earn a specialist certification.

A dental anesthesiologist is a licensed dentist that specializes in the management of anesthesia and sedation techniques for patients undergoing dental procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety during complex or invasive treatments.

A dental public health residency is a post-doctoral education program for licensed dentists interested in specializing to prevent dental diseases and improve oral health at the community level, often focusing on policy, education, and outreach.

An endodontist is a licensed dentist that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the dental pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth, most commonly performing root canal therapy.

A general practice residency is a post-doctoral education program for licensed dentists interested in pursuing advanced, hospital-based training in general dentistry through exposure to a broad range of dental procedures. These residencies are designed for those who wish to enhance their clinical skills or pursue a more specialized dental career.

An oral surgeon is a licensed dentist that specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions involving the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. May perform surgery treat diseases, injuries, or to improve function or appearance.

An oral pathologist is a licensed dentist that specializes in the diagnosis of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions, including cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infections.

An oral and maxillofacial radiologist is a licensed dentist that specializes in radiology of the teeth and jaws. Focus on interpreting imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to diagnose conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and facial structures, providing crucial information for dental treatment planning and patient management

An orthodontist is a licensed dentist that specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities, primarily through braces, retainers, and other devices.

A pediatric dentist is a licensed dentist that specializes in the oral care of children, including infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents, as well as those with special needs.

A periodontist is a licensed dentist that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease), and in the placement of dental implants.

A prosthodontist is a licensed dentist that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, design and fit of prostheses (crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants) that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.