Dentists held about 151,500 jobs in 2014. Some dentists own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice, and some work for more established dentists as associate dentists. In 2014, about 1 out of 4 dentists were self-employed.
Dentists usually work in dentists' offices. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Work Schedules
Most dentists work full time. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients' needs. The number of hours worked varies greatly among dentists.