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The differences between general dentists and periodontists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a periodontist has an average salary of $227,065, which is higher than the $147,636 average annual salary of a general dentist.
The top three skills for a general dentist include patients, patient care and treatment planning. The most important skills for a periodontist are patients, dental care, and soft tissue.
| General Dentist | Periodontist | |
| Yearly salary | $147,636 | $227,065 |
| Hourly rate | $70.98 | $109.17 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 48,612 | 26,145 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 50% | Associate Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
Periodontists must have a PhD in chemistry, biology, or another health-related field. They also need good interpersonal skills, manual dexterity, stamina, and problem-solving skills. Periodontists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, placing dental implants, and treating oral inflammation. They typically earn around $248K per year.
General dentists and periodontists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Dentist | Periodontist | |
| Average salary | $147,636 | $227,065 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $219,000 | Between $133,000 And $385,000 |
| Highest paying City | Haverhill, MA | Bellingham, WA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Berkshire | New England Cancer Specialists |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Media |
There are a few differences between a general dentist and a periodontist in terms of educational background:
| General Dentist | Periodontist | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 50% | Associate Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between general dentists' and periodontists' demographics:
| General Dentist | Periodontist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% | Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 17.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |