The duty of the dental healthcare professional is to provide treatment for teeth and mouth ailments.  The role of the dentist is also to offer preventative treatment such as dental check-ups, scaling and teeth polishing. Most dentists are self-employed and therefore able to work both for the NHS and privately. Dentists in the armed forces hold officer’s rank. Dental qualifications can appear convoluted to the uninitiated but suffice to say a degree is required.