What does a periodontist do?
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.
Periodontist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real periodontist resumes:
- Manage Invisalign treatments and procedures.
- Assist DR. in dental procedures mainly dentures and crowns.
- Provide patients with single visit crowns and onlays using Cerec 3 CAD/CAM technologies
- Carry out new patient and emergency patients screening/treatment appointments, and documenting observations and treatment.
- Wash and sterilize equipment using germicides and sterilizers.
Periodontist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 62% of Periodontists are proficient in Patients, Dental Care, and Soft Tissue. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Periodontists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 62%
Sterilized and disinfected instruments and equipment, and instructed patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
- Dental Care, 9%
Provided exceptional dental care to active duty navy members
- Soft Tissue, 6%
Experienced being an assistant in multiple soft tissue grafts, and extraction surgeries during my time at this office.
- DR, 3%
Lead Assistant Assisted Dr in surgery, bone & tissue regeneration, implants, gum & tissue restoration.
- Perio, 3%
Prepare end of day financial statement - prepare bank deposit, print reports, perio charts, and next day schedule.
- Surgical Procedures, 3%
Assisted in 4 handed Periodontal surgical procedures.
Most periodontists use their skills in "patients," "dental care," and "soft tissue" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential periodontist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a periodontist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "dentists must communicate effectively with patients, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and receptionists." Periodontists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "make patients feel comfortable with interpersonal communication. "
Detail oriented. Many periodontist duties rely on detail oriented. "dentists must pay attention to the shape and color of teeth and to the space between them," so a periodontist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways periodontist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "serve as a liaison to patients advising of details of exams, dental procedures, and post op instructions. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for periodontists to perform their duties. For an example of how periodontist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "dentists must be good with their hands." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a periodontist: "observed various periodontal procedures such as gum lifts, laser treatments, and gum grafts as well as sterilization of instruments. ".
Leadership skills. A big part of what periodontists do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to periodontist responsibilities because "dentists, especially those with their own practices, may need to manage staff or mentor other dentists." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical periodontist tasks: "provided nursing leadership, coordination and support to a private oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in periodontist job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what periodontists do. Periodontist responsibilities rely on this skill because "keeping accurate records of patient care is critical in both medical and business settings." You can also see how periodontist duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "developed organizational techniques and policies to ensure all the patients records/financials were properly maintained and billed on time. "
Patience. While "patience" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to periodontist responsibilities. Much of what a periodontist does relies on this skill, seeing as "dentists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention, including children and those with a fear of dental work." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of periodontists: "assisted patients with checking in/ checking out scheduled appointments for patience"
The three companies that hire the most periodontists are:
- Pacific Dental Services14 periodontists jobs
- Great Expressions Dental Centers7 periodontists jobs
- Heartland Dental3 periodontists jobs
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Compare different periodontists
Periodontist vs. Public health dentist
Public Health Dentists have a hefty requirement of a master's or bachelor's degree in public health with licensure in dentistry and experience in the field as a prerequisite for this career. In addition, they will need strong skills in communication, manual dexterity, teamwork, and a great deal of patience, stamina for long hours of work, and an approach that is both thorough and methodological. Those who apply for this career will be expected to provide expertise in population-based dentistry, oral health surveillance, disease prevention on a community level, health promotion, and maintenance for the dental safety net.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between periodontists and public health dentist. For instance, periodontist responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "soft tissue," "dr," and "perio." Whereas a public health dentist is skilled in "community health," "healthcare professionals," "mental health," and "public health programs." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that public health dentists earn slightly differ from periodontists. In particular, public health dentists are 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a periodontist. Additionally, they're 2.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Periodontist vs. Pediatric dentist
A pediatric dentist is responsible for taking care of children and infant's dental needs and concerns. Pediatric dentists maintain the patients' oral health, monitor their conditions, and schedule regular dental checkups. They also inspect and diagnose early dental problems and perform dental operations according to the patients' problem areas. A pediatric dentist must have excellent knowledge of the dental practices and processes, as well as having excellent communication skills to advise the children's parents and guardians of dental health techniques.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real periodontist resumes. While periodontist responsibilities can utilize skills like "dental care," "soft tissue," "dr," and "perio," pediatric dentists use skills like "patient care," "diagnosis," "infection control," and "treatment options."
Pediatric dentists earn a lower average salary than periodontists. But pediatric dentists earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $144,802. Additionally, periodontists earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $189,765 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Pediatric dentists tend to reach higher levels of education than periodontists. In fact, they're 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Periodontist vs. Endodontist
Endodontists are specialized dentists who are responsible for treating root canal injuries while performing various implant surgeries that are related to endodontics. These endodontists must establish and maintain a harmonious relationship with patients by explaining dental procedures so that they can decrease the anxiety of their patients. They are required to examine and treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental issues that are affecting the vitality of their patients' teeth. Endodontists must also provide learning mediums that are interesting and interactive so that they can help increase the understanding of students about complex dental procedures.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from periodontist resumes include skills like "patients," "dental care," "soft tissue," and "dr," whereas an endodontist is more likely to list skills in "endodontics," "aspen," "apex," and "osha. "
Endodontists make a very good living in the non profits industry with an average annual salary of $189,122. On the other hand, periodontists are paid the highest salary in the media industry, with average annual pay of $189,765.endodontists typically earn higher educational levels compared to periodontists. Specifically, they're 7.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 11.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Types of periodontist
Updated January 8, 2025
