4
Get ready!
●
1 Before you read the passage,
talk about these questions.
1What does a dentist do?
2Why are dentists important?
How to become
a dentist
Dentists must earn a college
and a professional degree.
They also need a license
from the state.
Workplace
Dentists may work alone or
share a practice. They often
employ support staff.
A dentist’s job
Dentists deal with the oral health of patients. Oral health includes the
teeth, gums, and other structures of mouth. Dentists diagnose and
treat related medical issues. They give instruction on tooth and gum
care. They offer advice on decisions impacting oral health.
Reading
●
2 Read the occupational guide excerpt.
Then, choose the correct answers.
1What is the purpose of the excerpt?
Ato provide details about a profession
Bto describe recent changes in an industry
Cto explain the importance of licensing
Dto instruct patients on oral healthcare
2What can be inferred about dentists?
ADentists in group practices are more
successful.
BLicensing rules for dentists are the same in
most states.
CDentists are currently underpaid for their
work.
DDentists should have an easy time finding
jobs.
3Which of the following dentists do NOT do?
Ateach patients about oral care
Bdiagnose medical issues
Cpractice on support staff
Dtreat problems with gums
Vocabulary
●
3 Fill in the blanks with the
correct words from the word bank.
dentist diagnosed instruction
oral practice professional
1The woman was working toward earning a
________________________________ degree in dentistry.
2The ________________________________ examined the
patient’s teeth and gums.
3Several dentists worked together in a group
________________________________ .
4The dentist ________________________________ the patient
with gum disease.
5Regular teeth cleaning is vital to good
________________________________ health.
6The dentist provided ________________________________ to
her patients on the correct way to floss.
Dentistry
Prospects
The dental industry is growing.
Jobs should increase by 21%
during the next decade. This is
in response to greater public
demand.
Dentistry
1
license
diagnose
advice
instruction
practice
dentist
oral health
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