Dentists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Dentists diagnose and treat dental disease, injuries, decay and malformations of the teeth, periodontal tissue (gums), hard and soft tissue found on the mouth and other dento-facial structures using surgery and other techniques.
Tasks
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Diagnoses dental diseases using a range of methods such as radiographs, salivary tests and medical histories.
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Provides preventative oral health care such as periodontal treatments, fluoride applications and oral health promotion.
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Provides restorative oral care, such as implants, complex crown and bridge restorations, orthodontics and repairs to damaged or decayed teeth.
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Provides oral surgical treatments such as biopsy of tissue and prescription of medications.
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Performs routine orthodontic treatment.
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Assists in diagnosing general diseases having oral manifestations such as diabetes.
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Educates patients to take care of their mouth and teeth.
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Leads a dental team which may comprise of Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, Dental Assistants and other Dental Specialists.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Helping
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Dental Practitioners, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 63% of people employed as Dentists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Dentists work in the Health care and social assistance industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Dentists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 72% of Dentists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Melbourne - Inner East
- Adelaide - Central and Hills
- Melbourne - Inner
- Melbourne - Inner South.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Dentists is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 44% of the workforce. This is 4 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Dentists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.6 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in dentistry majoring in dental science or dental surgery is needed to work as a Dentist. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Registration with the Dental Board of Australia is required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Dentists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 17.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 79.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 0.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 0.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 1.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Dental Practitioners who are caring and empathetic and can work well in a team, with the ability to communicate with a diverse range of people.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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71%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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64%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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63%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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59%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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59%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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57%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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57%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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55%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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55%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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54%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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54%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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54%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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54%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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54%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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43%
Management of financial resourcesFiguring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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81%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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78%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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59%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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58%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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55%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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54%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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53%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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52%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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51%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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49%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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48%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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42%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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38%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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38%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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38%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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37%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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37%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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35%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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33%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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32%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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80%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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75%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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73%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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71%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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70%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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70%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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68%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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66%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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66%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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66%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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55%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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54%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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54%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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54%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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86%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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79%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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78%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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78%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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77%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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76%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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75%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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74%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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72%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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72%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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71%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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70%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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69%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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68%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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67%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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66%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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64%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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62%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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57%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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57%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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95%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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86%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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83%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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81%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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48%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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100%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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99%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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98%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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97%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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97%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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96%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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96%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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96%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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95%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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95%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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95%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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93%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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93%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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93%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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92%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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92%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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92%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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90%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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88%
RadiationBe exposed to radiation.
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85%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-1021.00 - Dentists, General.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.