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29-1021.00 · Task explorer

Dentists, General: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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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This source lists 20 tasks, including 19 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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20 tasks shown

Core · Task 20562 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.

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Core · Task 6925 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.

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Core · Task 6926 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 6927 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.

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Core · Task 20563 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.

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Core · Task 6930 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.

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Core · Task 6929 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6931 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20564 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6934 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6938 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.

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Core · Task 6933 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6939 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply fluoride or sealants to teeth.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6936 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments.

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Core · Task 6937 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Perform oral or periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6932 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 6942 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Plan, organize, or maintain dental health programs.

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Core · Task 6941 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color.

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Core · Task 6935 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.

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Supplemental · Task 6943 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Produce or evaluate dental health educational materials.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.