Dental care is vital for maintaining overall health. In addition to preventing cavities and gum disease,
dentist are trained to identify problems with the mouth and jawbones and provide appropriate referral for treatment. As a result, dentists have an important role to play in the overall healthcare team and many career opportunities are available for those who choose to enter this field.
Taking the Right Steps
For those who dream of becoming a dentist, there are a few steps that must be taken to become qualified for this profession. The first is to complete a pre-dental program or undergraduate course with an emphasis on science. This will help you develop the skills needed to succeed in school and prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
If you are interested in a career in dentistry, it is also helpful to get exposure to health care work by working or volunteering in a dental office or clinic. This will give you a better understanding of the work that dentists do and how their careers progress over time. You should also start to think about what kind of a dentist you want to be.
A good dentist will be able to explain procedures in a way that makes patients feel comfortable and understand what is happening in their mouths. They will also be able to answer any questions or concerns that patients have in a friendly manner without using condescending language.
There are also some practical considerations when choosing a dentist, such as whether or not they offer family-friendly services, if they accept your insurance, and their hours of operation. The best way to find a dentist that meets all of your needs is by seeking out personal recommendations and reading online reviews.
Dental Specialties
There is a wide range of specialty areas within dentistry. For example, those who specialize in orthodontics focus on correcting the position of teeth and other nearby structures to improve chewing, speech, digestion and appearance. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are those who perform surgical treatments on the mouth and jaws.
General dentists treat diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, bones, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the mouth and surrounding regions. They also teach patients about oral health practices to prevent gum disease, tooth loss and other dental problems.
General dentists may also practice in one of the following nine dental specialties:
