Will AI replace dentists, general?AI replacement risk 23% and how the work is changing

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$170,950
25th–75th pct. $125,710–$224,040
Top pay (est.)
$415,500
Top 10% $319,630
Pay in 5 years
$201,000est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$236,200est.
$203,200–$274,300
Outlook score
69/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
23%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+5.7%
4,200 openings / yr

Will AI replace Dentists, General? AI replacement risk

23%
Low
Ranked #160 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Dentists, General

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
5.0
Active Learning
4.5
Critical Thinking
4.2
Monitoring
4.1
Complex Problem Solving
4.1
Social Perceptiveness
4.1
Judgment and Decision Making
4.1
Service Orientation
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry
5.6
Customer and Personal Service
5.5
Biology
4.9
Psychology
4.7
Chemistry
4.5
Administration and Management
4.1
Personnel and Human Resources
3.9
Education and Training
3.8

What the work involves

Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicAssisting and Caring for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Important abilities

Control PrecisionInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityNear VisionFinger DexterityOral Comprehension

Education of workers

Doctoral degree
62%
Post-doctoral training
38%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
20%
1–3 months
14%
1–2 years
2%
4–10 years
2%

Related work experience

4–6 years
13%
Up to 1 month
9%
None
5%
1–3 months
3%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.