Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week. Some dentists work evenings and weekends to meet their patients' needs. Younger dentists may work fewer hours as they build up their practice, while established dentists often work fewer hours as they grow older. A considerable number continue in part-time practice well beyond the usual retirement age. Most dentists are solo practitioners, that is they own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff.
Some dentists have partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate dentists.
Dentists wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases like hepatitis. Employment Dentists held about 183,000 jobs in 1992. About 9 out of 10 dentists are in private practice. Others work in private and public hospitals and clinics, and in dental research. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement All 50 States and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed.