Dentistry is the health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, gingival tissue, tongue, lips, and jaw. In addition, because teeth and their supporting structures are affected by abnormal conditions in other parts of the body, dental professionals are often the first health care providers to recognize a wide variety of diseases, ranging from hypertension to cancer.

General practitioners typically provide a broad spectrum of dental services, but some professionals limit their practice to one area of concentration. The nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) are: periodontics; endodontics; prosthodontics; pediatric dentistry; oral and maxillofacial surgery; oral and maxillofacial radiology; oral and maxillofacial pathology; orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics; and public health dentistry.

The demand for dental services will continue to grow. Due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, the growing older population will retain their teeth longer, and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. Demand for dentists’ newer services, such as cosmetic dentistry, also will contribute to this growth.

Persons interested in a dental career must enjoy interacting with people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. They should also have a high degree of manual dexterity, good visual memory, and an ability to work well with other team members.

Dental offices are clean, well-lighted, and generally small. Most dentists are "solo practitioners" who own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Some dentists have partners, and a few work for other dentists as associates.

Work schedules range from 32 hours a week for dental assistants to more than 40 for some dental specialists. Many offices offer some evening and weekend appointments to meet the needs of their patients.

Dental work poses some health risks, but problems can generally be avoided by taking proper precautions. Workers must wear gloves, masks, and safety glasses to protect themselves from infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, and must also follow safety procedures when handling radiographic equipment.