Dentists, General
SOC Code: 29-1021 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Dentists, General. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $121,805 | $220,334 | $318,864 | $417,394 |
| Springfield, IL | $122,075 | $206,211 | $290,347 | $374,483 |
| Mobile, AL | $128,024 | $204,360 | $280,675 | $357,011 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $129,064 | $201,718 | $274,394 | $347,048 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $143,229 | $211,120 | $278,990 | $346,882 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $105,768 | $183,518 | $261,290 | $339,040 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $135,200 | $197,704 | $260,187 | $322,691 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $122,200 | $187,096 | $252,013 | $316,909 |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $104,395 | $175,053 | $245,731 | $316,389 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $97,053 | $169,978 | $242,923 | $315,848 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Western Dental Services, Inc. | 76 | $186,198 |
| Ghazal, Rodgers, and Watanabe Dental Corporation | 53 | $166,847 |
| FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK | 34 | $195,107 |
| Dental Dreams LLC | 33 | $109,509 |
| United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley | 32 | $183,449 |
| 42 North Dental Care, LLC | 29 | $113,287 |
| SOUMAVA SEN DDS PC | 28 | $168,192 |
| JDC HEALTHCARE PLLC | 22 | $163,573 |
| The University of Iowa | 21 | $127,668 |
| 42 North Dental Care, PLLC | 19 | $136,088 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 207 | $144,075 |
| 2021 | 239 | $157,454 |
| 2022 | 203 | $162,089 |
| 2023 | 568 | $157,760 |
| 2024 | 908 | $473,322 |
| 2025 | 998 | $177,432 |
| 2026 | 141 | $2,131,772 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.1 | |
| Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 | |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Dentistry | 5.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.2 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Biology | 3.5 |
| Psychology | 3.4 |
| Education and Training | 3.3 |
| Administration and Management | 3.2 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-first professional | 81.4% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 7.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.8% |
| Associate's degree | 5.6% |
Typical Tasks
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
- Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Henry Schein Dentrix Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software eClinicalWorks EHR software ABELSoft ABELDent ACE Dental Accounting software AlphaDent AltaPoint Data Systems AltaPoint Dental DSN Software Dental-Exec DSN Software Oral Surgery-Exec DSN Software Perio-Exec Data Team DDS Dental charting software Dental clinical records software
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