Dentists

Because most dentists are in private practice, they are free to set their hours and establish offices according to their individual tastes. Most dentists work from four to five days a week, many times averaging 40 or more hours. The American Dental Association reports that general dentists worked a total of 1,776 hours in 2023. On average, general dentists worked 5.5 percent more hours in 2023 than their average annual hours (1,683) accrued from 2000–2019.

Dentists spend about 90 percent of their time treating patients. The beginning dentist must set aside expensive decorating plans in favor of suitable equipment, but most dentists' offices are designed to be pleasant and comfortable. Dentists may have dental assistants, hygienists, or laboratory technicians, or they may carry out the special duties of each themselves. However, there is a growing trend to leave simpler tasks, such as teeth cleaning and other duties, to dental hygienists, assistants, and dental therapists (in some states), so dentists have more time to perform higher-paying procedures, such as root canals.

The dentist in private practice sets individual hours and practices after office hours only in emergencies. Salaried dentists working for a clinic, hospital, or the U.S. Public Health Service are subject to conditions set by their employers.