Several economic factors indicate that the need for new dentists will continue for some time to come. Dentists' days are filled with a variety of professional duties. They can check patients' mouths for signs of diseases such as oral cancer. They can diagnose and treat problems affecting the teeth, gums, tongue, lips and jaws. Dentists can help people have more attractive smiles through tooth whitening or more complex cosmetic dental procedures.
Dentists sometimes perform surgery to repair, restore, and maintain teeth, gums, and oral tissues.
They can educate patients about good oral health, such as warning about the dangers of tobacco use. Many dentists volunteer to treat patients with little or no funds to pay for health care, or go to churches or schools to educate the community about good oral health. Dentists can practice as general or family dentists, where they can perform a wide range of dental procedures, or they can undergo additional educational training and become a dental specialist. Diagnose, surgically and otherwise treat diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth's tissues. Diagnose and treat diseases of the gums.