Dental Practice Management Also Part of a Dentist’s Work Week

The average dentist in this survey reports working 35 hours a week over an average of five days.

It's important to note that dentists spend their work time on two very different tasks: treating dental patients and attending to dental practice management.

“When I cut back to 4 days per week 15 years ago, my income went up not down!” exclaimed one dentist. “I’m working less now due to the recession,” sighed another.

Here are some further dentist comments:

• “Don't work longer…work smarter.” (Connecticut periodontist)
• “When I can work 3 days per week and make the same or more as in 4 days, that is a no-brainer!” (Florida dentist)
• “I'm working 3 days a week due to the recession.” (Canada dentist)
• “Hours are not as productive as before the financial crisis.” (Oregon dentist)
• “More days if you count business admin and weekend dental CE travel.” (Florida pediatric dentist)
• “I work about 48 hours over 6 days. About half of this is clinical, half administrative.” (Georgia orthodontist)
• “32 hours seeing patients, but 8 more doing management type work.” (Kentucky dentist)
• “4 days clinical, and one day for administrative and professional 'errands.'” (Rhode Island dentist)
• “I work 5 days, but I'd like to work 3 days/week.” (New York dentist)
• “I really want to just work part-time, but I haven't figured out how yet.” (California dentist)
• “I work far too long hours!” (Australia dentist)

Read more: Dentists Work an Average of 35 Hours a Week