General Dentist – (70 to 80 percent of the professions)

• Crowns,
• Bridges,
• Fillings,
• Veneers,
• Root Canals,
• General Extractions,
• Limited Implants (most don’t by Oral Surgeons and Periodontist)
• Above the gum line tooth work.

Hygienist

• Almost work exclusively for General Dentists
• Teeth cleanings for General Dentists
• Periodontal charting (measured in millimeters (proble) represents gum depth)

Prosthodontists (Less than 5 percent of the territory)

• Crowns
• Bridges
• Flippers
• Dentures

Orthodontists (Approximately 10 percent of the territory)

• Braces
• Digital X-ray heavy reliance, specialized practice management software
• Need to see the whole head and jaw (bone view)
• Use Panoramic X-ray’s. CEPH – Complete head shot, they perform different functions, primarily for the Orthodontist.

Oral Surgeons (Approximately 5 percent of the territory)

• Wisdom teeth extractions
• Difficult extractions Implants
• Anesthesia
• Invasive procedures

Prosthodontists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons heavily rely on general dentists referrals.

Periodontist – (Approximately 5 percent of the territory)

• Gum disease surgery – More schooling for skillset
• Implants
• Invasive procedures

Endodontist

• A dental specialist in endodontics (root canals)
• First to by digital x-ray technologies
• See how deep you are going for the root canal during the procedure

Assistants – (Are found in almost all dental offices)

• Assist the doctor during the procedure,
• Perform x-rays,
• Prepare the operatory,
• Clean up the operatory,
• Assist the hygienist in charting,
• Order supplies,
• Greet patients.
• Generally considered back office.

Receptionists – (Are found in almost all dental offices)

• Answer phones,
• Collect insurance claims,
• Collect from patients,
• Schedule appointments.
• Generally considered front office

Office Manager – (Are found in most dental offices)

• Order supplies,
• Pay bills,
• Oversee the admin function for the office.
• Sometimes formal Dental Assistant
• This person is generally considered front office and is a former dental assistant who knows quite a bit about the office and dentistry.

Dental Laboratories

• Sometimes in the same building as the Dentists
• Make crowns,
• Bridges,
• Veneers,
• Dentures,
• Partials,
• etc.
• Not a generally Specific IT needs