How to become a Dentist

Also called: Dental Surgeon

Diagnoses and treats dental disease, injuries, decay and malformations of the teeth, periodontal tissue (gums), hard and soft tissue found on the mouth, and other dentofacial structures using surgery and other techniques.

Main tasks

• Examines patients' teeth and mouths to diagnose and treat dental diseases, injuries or decay
• Performs routine dental surgeries and other procedures, such as fillings and crowns, to treat dental conditions
• Restores and replaces missing or damaged teeth
• Performs cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance of patients' teeth
• Prescribes medications and administers local anaesthesia to patients as necessary
• Educates patients on proper oral hygiene and preventive dental care
• Refers patients with complex issues to Dental Specialists for specialised treatment
• May conduct surgical procedures such as tooth extractions or root canals

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $168,064 a year
• About 24,500 people work in this job group now, and about 33,200 are projected by 2035. (+35.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Dental Specialist
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Prosthetist
• Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
• Environmental Health Officer
• Health Promotion Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Dentist?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

How much does a Dentist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $168,064 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Dentist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 36% by 2035, from about 24,500 to about 33,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Dentist?

Usually. 95% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Dentist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04