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The differences between dentists and general dentists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general dentist has an average salary of $147,636, which is higher than the $147,415 average annual salary of a dentist.
The top three skills for a dentist include patients, diagnosis and DDS. The most important skills for a general dentist are patients, patient care, and treatment planning.
| Dentist | General Dentist | |
| Yearly salary | $147,415 | $147,636 |
| Hourly rate | $70.87 | $70.98 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 8,570 | 48,612 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Doctoral Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Dentists are physicians specializing in oral health. The main responsibilities of dentists are to diagnose oral diseases and treat them with the help of different equipment and technologies. They manage to provide several services like tooth repair, cavities removal, teeth whitening, fillings, crowns, bridges, and even surgical procedures. They also help promote oral care by participating in community outreach and awareness programs. Sometimes, they would also conduct lectures and seminars for preventive education.
The primary job of general dentists is to diagnose, treat, and manage patients' oral health care needs, including root canals, fillings, and gum care. They are considered as the main dental care providers for both children and adults. General dentists typically perform a few tasks, including performing regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings, ensuring patients receive an appropriate and timely treatment for their dental issues and performing cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding.
Dentists and general dentists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dentist | General Dentist | |
| Average salary | $147,415 | $147,636 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $218,000 | Between $99,000 And $219,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lynn, MA | Haverhill, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | The Primary Health Network | Berkshire |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a dentist and a general dentist in terms of educational background:
| Dentist | General Dentist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Doctoral Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between dentists' and general dentists' demographics:
| Dentist | General Dentist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 22.0% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 23.4% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |