HealthcareISCO 2261
Dental practitioner
Dental practitioners prevent, diagnose and treat anomalies and diseases affecting the teeth, mouth, jaws and adjoining tissues.
Check yourself in a minute: dental practitioner
Rate 5 of the 63 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
perform oral health diagnosis
respond to changing situations in health care
rehabilitate worn dentition
differentiate between maxillofacial tissues
provide periodontal treatment
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (63)
medico-biological and medical sciences related to dentistrymedico-biological and medical sciences related to dentistryThe behavioral component and the social environment which impact the health of humans, in respect to dentistry.cosmetic dental procedurescosmetic dental proceduresThe dental restoration procedures and treatments that enhance the appearance of patients` teeth such as bleaching, enamel recontouring and adhesive dentistry, porcelain veneers, inlays, onlays and den...surgerysurgeryThe essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedu...dentistry sciencedentistry scienceThe sciences on which dentistry is based and an understanding of scientific methods, such as the principles of measuring biological functions, the evaluation of scientifically established facts and th...clinical disciplines in dentistryclinical disciplines in dentistryThe clinical disciplines and methods, providing the coherent picture of anomalies, lesions and diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues and of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic d...mouth anatomymouth anatomyThe structure and function of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues, both healthy and diseased, and their relationship to the general state of health and to the physical and social well-being ...anaestheticsanaestheticsAnaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.perform oral health diagnosisperform oral health diagnosisInquire about the state of oral hygiene, perform an examination, do imaging investigations and interpret the findings to set a diagnosis.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.rehabilitate worn dentitionrehabilitate worn dentitionManage tooth caries, defects and aesthetic problems, using techniques that conserve tooth structure and preserve pulp vitality to restore form and function.lead the dental teamlead the dental teamAct as the leader of the dental team by providing clear instructions to the staff, depending on the dental procedures undertaken.differentiate between maxillofacial tissuesdifferentiate between maxillofacial tissuesDistinguish abnormally hard and soft tissues of the maxillofacial complex from normal tissues.provide periodontal treatmentprovide periodontal treatmentManage gum conditions and diseases, providing periodontal treatment as needed and monitoring treatment outcomes.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...perform multiple tasks at the same timeperform multiple tasks at the same timeExecute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.undertake clinical auditundertake clinical auditUndertake internal clinical audit through the collection of statistical, financial and other data related to service delivery.restore teeths' natural colourrestore teeths' natural colourBleach, clean or polish teeth to restore natural colour.promote health and safety policies in health servicespromote health and safety policies in health servicesPromote adherence to local, regional, national and EU Health and Safety legislation, policies, guidelines and protocols.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.discuss dental treatment options with patientdiscuss dental treatment options with patientDiscuss findings, diagnoses, aetiology with the patient and let the patient participate in considering risks, benefits and prognoses of the treatment options.use orthodontic toolsuse orthodontic toolsUse orthodontic tools such as gauges, dental placement instruments, probes, scissors, and X-ray units.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...treat tooth decaytreat tooth decayTreat tooth decay by assessing the risk, extent and activity of tooth decay, and recommend and provide appropriate therapy, whether surgical or non-surgical.manage edentulous patientsmanage edentulous patientsManage patients who lack one or more teeth by providing fixed, removable and implant prostheses.manage adverse reactions to anaesthesiamanage adverse reactions to anaesthesiaHandle patients with adverse reactions to anaesthetics administered during the operation.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...manage occlusionmanage occlusionAssess how the teeth of the lower jaw fit to the teeth of the upper jaw, recognising and managing malocclusion, or a bad contact between the teeth.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.minimise occupational hazards in dentistry practiceminimise occupational hazards in dentistry practiceUnderstand and implement procedures to minimise occupational hazards in dentistry.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.select materials for orthodontic appliancesselect materials for orthodontic appliancesDetermine the appropriate materials for removable or permanent orthodontic appliances, paying attention to design and function as specified by prescription.deal with patients' anxietydeal with patients' anxietyRecognise and handle the fears of patients undergoing a dental treatment.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.supervise dental staffsupervise dental staffSupervise the work of dental staff, making sure they manage equipment and supplies appropriately.keep records for dental prostheseskeep records for dental prosthesesMake the required records for the laboratory fabrication of dental prostheses and appliances.counsel on nutrition and its impact on oral healthcounsel on nutrition and its impact on oral healthCounsel patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.treat cases of malocclusiontreat cases of malocclusionTreat and eliminate malocclusion. Restore full function to the teeth by removing certain teeth, making room for teeth still erupting, then attach braces to the teeth to straighten the bite.interpret findings from medical examinationsinterpret findings from medical examinationsInterpret the findings from a patient`s history, clinical examination, radiographic examination, and other diagnostic tests and procedures.perform dental clinical examinationperform dental clinical examinationPerform a comprehensive examination of the patient`s teeth and gums, collecting data using clinical, radiographic, and periodontal techniques as well as dental charting and other techniques in order t...comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...fit dental appliancesfit dental appliancesFit dental appliances in the patient`s mouth to alter the position of teeth and jaws or realign teeth.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...correct temporomandibular joint abnormalitiescorrect temporomandibular joint abnormalitiesCorrect joint abnormalities by realigning the teeth to improve the patient`s bite and help the jaw fit together properly.treat exposure of dental pulptreat exposure of dental pulpTreat exposure of tooth pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.diagnose abnormalities of dental-facial structuresdiagnose abnormalities of dental-facial structuresAssess abnormalities in jaw development, tooth position, and other structures of the teeth and face.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.provide instruction in orthodontic proceduresprovide instruction in orthodontic proceduresLead orthodontic procedures, providing clear instructions to dental staff and technical assistants.manage infection control in the facilitymanage infection control in the facilityImplement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...perform reconstructive oral surgeryperform reconstructive oral surgeryCorrect problems of the jaw and facial bone resulting from previous trauma or removal of pathology.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.write prescriptions for medication in dentistrywrite prescriptions for medication in dentistryDetermine indications and contraindications for the use of medication in dental practice, determining their dosages and routes of administration and writing prescriptions for medication used in dentis...accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.manage dental emergenciesmanage dental emergenciesHandle dental emergencies which are diverse in their nature, such as infections, bacterial, fungal, and viral, fractured teeth, responding to each individual case with a treatment that is unique to th...
Optional (16) — show
impact of social contexts on healthimpact of social contexts on healthThe social and cultural contexts of individuals` behaviours, and the impact on their health within their social and cultural context.employment lawemployment lawThe law which mediates the relationship between employees and employers. It concerns employees' rights at work which are binding by the work contract.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.manage healthcare staffmanage healthcare staffThe managerial tasks and responsibilities required in a health care setting.inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.organise public oral health programmesorganise public oral health programmesOrganise public oral health programmes to educate people on healthy lifestyles and good practices to protect teeth and gums.build community relationsbuild community relationsEstablish affectionate and long-lasting relationships with local communities, e.g. by organising special programmes for kindergarten, schools and for disabled and older people, raising awareness and r...conduct continuing professional development workshopsconduct continuing professional development workshopsOrganise and conduct various workshops or tutoring programs to develop and improve medical or dental competencies and clinical performances of healthcare professionals.record healthcare users' billing informationrecord healthcare users' billing informationRecord the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.handle payments in dentistryhandle payments in dentistryHandle taxes, paychecks and insurance payments for the provided dental services.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.contribute to practice innovation in health carecontribute to practice innovation in health careContribute to improving care in the daily practice, by adapting to new technological improvements or innovations related to devices, material, procedures or guidelines used in health care.correct dentofacial deformitiescorrect dentofacial deformitiesSurgically realign and reconstruct the upper and lower jaws into proper dental and facial relationships to improve the patient`s bite and facial appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a dental practitioner do?
Dental practitioners prevent, diagnose and treat anomalies and diseases affecting the teeth, mouth, jaws and adjoining tissues.
What skills does a dental practitioner need?
A dental practitioner needs 63 essential skills, including medico-biological and medical sciences related to dentistry, cosmetic dental procedures, surgery, dentistry science, clinical disciplines in dentistry.
Will AI replace dental practitioner jobs?
The AI disruption score for dental practitioner is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage healthcare users' data, record healthcare users' billing information, handle payments in dentistry. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
17/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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