Dental health is critical to overall well-being. In addition to keeping your smile bright and your mouth healthy, regular visits can help prevent systemic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. As the healthcare community increasingly recognizes the link between oral health and general health, there is a growing demand for dentist.
The profession is demanding and expensive, but the rewards can make it worthwhile. Dentists are health professionals who are credentialed as Doctor of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine (DDS or DMD). They examine, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the teeth, gums and supporting structures of the mouth. They also instruct patients on good oral hygiene practices to maintain optimal health.
Dentists work as part of a dental team, which includes hygienists, assistants and laboratory technicians. Together they ensure that patients receive quality care and are treated in a safe environment. They can also collaborate with otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists and neurologists to assist multidisciplinary teams for patients with problems affecting the nose, ear, throat or head.
Among the most common dental problems are cavities, gum disease and jaw misalignment. To combat these, a dentist can use a variety of treatments. These include removing impacted or infected teeth, placing fillings and crowns, root canal therapy and tooth extractions. They may also fit and place bridges, prosthetics and dentures.
Other common dental treatments include reducing bad breath, making sure teeth are positioned correctly and restoring missing teeth. Some of the most complex dental procedures are performed by specialists, who have completed a minimum of two years of post-graduate training. Examples of these are periodontics, which focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease; endodontics, which specializes in treating the nerve tissue inside a tooth; and prosthodontics, which deals with missing teeth.
While most dentists work in private practice, some provide public health services. These can be found with the Armed Forces, the Indian Health Service and the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as at universities and other research institutions. These professionals usually work full time and earn a salary comparable to other health care providers.
For those interested in becoming a dentist, the first step is to complete an undergraduate program with a degree in a health-related subject like biology, chemistry or health sciences. Some schools offer pre-dental courses that prepare students for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which is required to enter dental school. They should also start volunteering or working in a dentist’s office to get exposure to the daily activities of a health care professional and learn about the profession.
Once a dentist has graduated from dental school, they must complete a residency in the specialty of their choice. These programs, which last 2-4 years, teach them how to handle specific conditions or patients and can lead to higher salaries. Many dentists also choose to pursue additional specialized degrees, which can take up to eight years. Those who do so typically have narrower scopes of practice but command higher salaries.