Dental science, also called dentistry and oral medical science, is a field of medicine which includes the study, identification, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and care of disorders, diseases, and other conditions of the teeth, mouth, and jaw. Dentists can specialize in any field of oral medicine. The scope of dental science is huge and is continually growing. There has been an increase in the number of people suffering from tooth decay and cavities. This has led to an increase in the number of specialists who provide dental services.
In order to become a dentist, you will need to complete a four-year degree program at an accredited university or college, pass a licensing exam, receive an associate’s degree from an accredited school or university, obtain professional credentials in your specific line of dental work, and successfully complete a professional dental surgery. Individuals who wish to practice dentistry will need to pass both a written and clinical examination. Individuals who have earned a dental degree or are registered dentists may be eligible for additional training or retraining to help them provide quality dental care to patients. To find out if you qualify for additional training, contact your local board of dentistry. Most states require dentists to be licensed before they can practice dentistry. Dentists who are involved in the education and training of their own staff will also be required to complete continuing education seminars throughout the year to ensure that they are up to date on the latest studies and advancements in the field of dentistry.
If you decide to go back to school and earn your dental degree or to pursue additional professional training, you should do so while working with your current dentist. By working with the same dentist, you will have a greater amount of access to dental services. You will also be more comfortable with your dentist, since you already know how they operate and interact with clients. Working with a dentist who already has a large body of patients under his care is advantageous, as you will already know how he or she communicates effectively with his or her patients.
Many dentists offer additional training in other areas aside from their regular field of dentistry. Oral surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons take care of complex and difficult cases such as facial fractures and tooth extraction. Other areas that oral and maxillofacial surgeons may specialize in include burn treatment, reconstructive surgery, omentoplasty and pediatric dentistry. Oral surgeons usually go on to get additional training in surgery, dental surgery, dentistry and oral health. Maxillofacial surgeons and dentists also get additional training to become orthodontists, respectively.
Dental Assistants offer tooth and gum care for patients, along with cleaning and filling services for bridges, crowns and dentures. Dental assistants work under the supervision of dental hygienists and dental assistants. Dental Assistants perform routine tasks such as preparing teeth and conducting basic cleaning procedures like tooth trims and polishing. They may also be required to operate and install dental equipment and perform laboratory duties.
Root canal therapy and periodontal surgery are very important dental care procedures performed by these professionals. They are generally responsible for performing root canal therapy when a tooth is infected or completely decayed. In a root canal, the pulp of a tooth is pulled out by the roots inside the crevices of the gums. This process removes the infected tissue and relieves the patient from pain. A Periodontist also performs periodontal surgeries, but his role is much different from a dentist as he performs surgeries to treat diseases of the bone and tissues found in the jaw area.
