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What is dentistry?
Officially, dentistry is defined as "the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law."
In plain terms, dentistry is a branch of health care whose primary responsibility is the health of people's teeth and gums, the oral cavity in general, and nearby or related body parts (e.g. saliva glands).
How do I become a dentist? Is it hard? How long does it take?
It takes a lot of education and training to become a dentist in the United States. Fortunately, it's never too early or too late to start making plans!
Most dentists receive 8-10 years of education after high school before going into practice. All dental schools require you to take a number of prerequisite science courses in college before applying, and all but a bare handful of dental students complete at least a bachelor's degree before beginning dental school. Admission to dental school is very competitive, and based on several factors including college grades, admissions test scores, one or more essays, and personal interviews.
Dental school itself typically lasts four years, and like any other graduate school, it can be very demanding at times. The first half focuses on two general areas: gaining the basic science knowledge needed to be a dentist, and developing the precise physical skills necessary to perform dental procedures safely and effectively. During the second half of dental school, you'll apply those skills to treat live patients under the supervision of faculty dentists. Even once you've graduated and begun practicing, you'll have to take continuing education regularly to keep your knowledge and skills up to date!
Is dental school expensive? How do I pay for all that school?
Dental school is quite expensive, and most students take out student loans at some point in their school careers. The amount can vary widely depending on a student's need, but dental students can normally obtain as much student loan funding as they need through a combination of government and private lenders. This money must be paid back, but you can usually postpone paying back the loans until after you have graduated and started working.
What kinds of things does a dentist actually do? What are the different kinds of dentists?
Examination & Diagnosis - Before a dentist can do anything, s/he has to examine the patient to determine what, if anything, is wrong. In addition to checking the teeth for cavities and other problems, the dentist may check the gums, lips, palate (roof of the mouth), cheeks, throat, tongue, saliva glands, and neck for signs of infection or disease. Additionally, dentists order and interpret x-rays of the mouth and face to look for problems invisible to the naked eye.
Local Anesthesia - Dentists are experts at local anesthesia, the process of using injected medications to block pain sensations from a small part of the body, to relieve pain and keep patients comfortable during treatment. Local anesthetic drugs and techniques have improved dramatically in the last several years, and many dentists use supplemental techniques such as nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or even IV medications, to keep patients relaxed and comfortable during dental treatment. As a result, most dental procedures can be completed with minimal discomfort to the patient. Most dentists employ local anesthesia on a daily basis.
Medication Prescriptions - Dentists prescribe a number of different drugs to aid in patients' health and comfort. Commonly prescribed medications include fluoride, analgesics (pain medicine), anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), antibiotics, anti-fungals, and steroids, among others.
Restorative Dentistry - When teeth develop cavities, the dentist will remove the decayed tooth structure with a combination of rotary handpieces (dental drills) and hand instruments, and then carefully restore the missing parts of the teeth with a filling material to recreate the natural form of the tooth. After the restoration (filling) is placed, the tooth is healthier and able to function more normally. These procedures are normally performed by general dentists.
Endodontics (root canals) - If a cavity gets too big or too deep, it can reach the nerve of the tooth and cause a painful infection. During a root canal, the dentist removes the damaged pulp (nerve) of the tooth, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals the pulp space so it doesn't become re-infected. This procedure allows many painful or infected teeth can be saved, rather than extracted. Dentists who specialize in root canal therapy and related procedures are called endodontists.
Oral Surgery - Dentists perform a variety of surgical procedures in and around the mouth, including tooth extractions, alveoloplasty (recontouring of the jawbones), biopsy (removing a sample of tissue from a suspicious lesion to aid in diagnosis), excision (cutting out) of excess bone or soft tissue, dental implant placement, and others. Many minor procedures are performed by general dentists in the office setting under local anesthesia. Dentists who have specialized in this field are called oral & maxillofacial surgeons, and receive training in more complex surgeries such as removal of impacted (trapped inside the jawbone) teeth, repairing jaw and facial fractures, repositioning of the jaws to correct a patient's bite. Many of these bigger procedures require treatment in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia.
Prosthodontics - Many people are missing one or more teeth due to cavities, gum disease, or sometimes because they never formed to begin with. "Prosthodontics" refers to the different methods dentist use to replace these missing teeth, and as you might expect, it makes up a big part of many dentists' day-to-day work. Some prosthodontic appliances you might be familiar with include crowns, bridges, and dentures. Prosthodontics is generally handled by general dentists, but complex cases may be referred to a prosthodontist, a dental specialist with extra training to manage complicated prosthodontics cases.
Periodontics - Periodontal disease (gum disease) is extremely common, and untreated gum disease is responsible for literally millions of tooth extractions each year. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. This can be as simple as the healthy patient who gets her regular cleaning twice a year, or as complex as performing surgical cleanings, bone and gum grafts, dental implants, and other procedures to treat the effects of advanced gum disease. Dentists with advanced training in periodontics are called periodontists.
Orthodontics Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (as the specialty is officially known) is the branch of dentistry concerned with the proper growth, development, and positioning of not only the teeth, but the entire facial skeleton. Orthodontic treatment normally involves aligning the teeth with braces, retainers, or other appliances. Additionally, devices such as bite appliances, headgear, or even surgery (in conjunction with an oral & maxillofacial surgeon) can be employed in the treatment of more complex problems. Dentists who have received specialty training in this field are called orthodontists.
Pedodontics Just like in medicine, dentistry for children presents different and unique challenges compared to dentistry for adults. Kids can present behavioral challenges, physical and/or mental developmental disabilities not routinely encountered in a general practice setting. Pediatric dentists (also known as pedodontists) are dentists who have received specialty training in the treatment and management of children and adolescents. This training includes behavioral management, sedation techniques, restorative treatment procedures designed for the child patient, and treatment in the operating room. In addition to their specialty, many pediatric dentists receive training in orthodontics.
What's the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
There is no difference at all. The two degrees are identical in all respects. They indicate the same level of training and education, they perform the same procedures, and prescribe the same medications.
Are dentists really doctors?
Short Answer: Yes, as a dentist you will have earned the right to be called "Dr. Jones" or "Dr. Such-and-such," in your office or hospital. It's important, however, to recognize the similarities and differences between dentistry and medicine.
Long Answer: Dentists are doctors, yes, and a dentist's training overlaps significantly with an MD's education, but the two are not generally considered the same. This is due to differences in the way physicians and dentists are trained. Physicians of all specialties complete similar medical school programs before completing residency programs in their chosen specialty. Dental students are all specifically learning to become dentists, so dental schools focus their energy on producing well-trained dentists at the expense of the some of the more broadly-focused material medical students learn.
The advantage to this approach is that it enables new dentists to begin practicing immediately after graduating from dental school. The disadvantage is that this added depth of dental training comes at the expense of the breadth of medical school. Neither approach is inherently superior to the other, but one of the results is the existence of medicine and dentistry as similar, but distinct, professions.
How much money do dentists earn?
This is difficult to estimate accurately, since dentists, like most people, can be reluctant to reveal their personal income information. Like all professionals, dentists' earnings vary depending on their experience, training, and work setting. According to the American Dental Association, the average general dentist earned approximately $198,000 in 2005, and the average dental specialist earned approximately $304,000. As with all averages, some will earn significant more than these numbers, and some will earn significantly less.
I'm not especially fired up about teeth specifically, but I'm smart, I want to work in a medical profession, and I like working with my hands. Would I like being a dentist?
Obviously, nobody else can answer this question for you. The best way to find out would be to contact a dentist (maybe your own!) and ask if you can spend some time asking questions and/or job shadowing in his or her office. Most will be happy to let you, and actually seeing a dentist work, up close and personal, is likely to help you decide whether or not dentistry is a good career choice for you.
Can I have a career in dentistry without becoming a dentist?
Absolutely! Here are some of the more popular choices (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Dental assistants During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. They also instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. They may prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment. Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Those with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
Dental hygienists Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. They examine patients teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities.
Hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonic devices are used to clean and polish teeth, including removing calculus, stains, and plaque. Hygienists use x-ray machines to take dental pictures, and sometimes develop the film. They may use models of teeth to explain oral hygiene, perform root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.
Hygienists sometimes make a diagnosis and other times may prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chair side with the dentist during treatment.
Dental laboratory technicians - Dental laboratory technicians fill prescriptions from dentists for crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental prosthetics. First, dentists send a specification of the item to be manufactured, along with an impression or mold of the patients mouth or teeth. Then dental laboratory technicians, also called dental technicians, create a model of the patients mouth by pouring plaster into the impression and allowing it to set. They place the model on an apparatus that mimics the bite and movement of the patients jaw, and examine the model, noting the size and shape of the adjacent teeth, as well as gaps within the gumline. Based upon these observations and the dentists specifications, technicians build and shape a wax tooth or teeth model, using small hand instruments called wax spatulas and wax carvers. The wax model is used to cast the metal framework for the prosthetic device.
After the wax tooth has been formed, dental technicians pour the cast and form the metal and, using small hand-held tools, prepare the surface to allow the metal and porcelain to bond. They then apply porcelain in layers, to arrive at the precise shape and color of a tooth. Technicians place the tooth in a porcelain furnace to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework, and then adjust the shape and color, with subsequent grinding and addition of porcelain to achieve a sealed finish. The final product is a nearly exact replica of the lost tooth or teeth.
In some laboratories, technicians perform all stages of the work, whereas in other labs, each technician does only a few. Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in 1 of 5 areas: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics.
How can I learn more about a career in dentistry?
More information can be obtained at the following websites:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
American Dental Association
Officially, dentistry is defined as "the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law."
In plain terms, dentistry is a branch of health care whose primary responsibility is the health of people's teeth and gums, the oral cavity in general, and nearby or related body parts (e.g. saliva glands).
How do I become a dentist? Is it hard? How long does it take?
It takes a lot of education and training to become a dentist in the United States. Fortunately, it's never too early or too late to start making plans!
Most dentists receive 8-10 years of education after high school before going into practice. All dental schools require you to take a number of prerequisite science courses in college before applying, and all but a bare handful of dental students complete at least a bachelor's degree before beginning dental school. Admission to dental school is very competitive, and based on several factors including college grades, admissions test scores, one or more essays, and personal interviews.
Dental school itself typically lasts four years, and like any other graduate school, it can be very demanding at times. The first half focuses on two general areas: gaining the basic science knowledge needed to be a dentist, and developing the precise physical skills necessary to perform dental procedures safely and effectively. During the second half of dental school, you'll apply those skills to treat live patients under the supervision of faculty dentists. Even once you've graduated and begun practicing, you'll have to take continuing education regularly to keep your knowledge and skills up to date!
Is dental school expensive? How do I pay for all that school?
Dental school is quite expensive, and most students take out student loans at some point in their school careers. The amount can vary widely depending on a student's need, but dental students can normally obtain as much student loan funding as they need through a combination of government and private lenders. This money must be paid back, but you can usually postpone paying back the loans until after you have graduated and started working.
What kinds of things does a dentist actually do? What are the different kinds of dentists?
Examination & Diagnosis - Before a dentist can do anything, s/he has to examine the patient to determine what, if anything, is wrong. In addition to checking the teeth for cavities and other problems, the dentist may check the gums, lips, palate (roof of the mouth), cheeks, throat, tongue, saliva glands, and neck for signs of infection or disease. Additionally, dentists order and interpret x-rays of the mouth and face to look for problems invisible to the naked eye.
Local Anesthesia - Dentists are experts at local anesthesia, the process of using injected medications to block pain sensations from a small part of the body, to relieve pain and keep patients comfortable during treatment. Local anesthetic drugs and techniques have improved dramatically in the last several years, and many dentists use supplemental techniques such as nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or even IV medications, to keep patients relaxed and comfortable during dental treatment. As a result, most dental procedures can be completed with minimal discomfort to the patient. Most dentists employ local anesthesia on a daily basis.
Medication Prescriptions - Dentists prescribe a number of different drugs to aid in patients' health and comfort. Commonly prescribed medications include fluoride, analgesics (pain medicine), anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), antibiotics, anti-fungals, and steroids, among others.
Restorative Dentistry - When teeth develop cavities, the dentist will remove the decayed tooth structure with a combination of rotary handpieces (dental drills) and hand instruments, and then carefully restore the missing parts of the teeth with a filling material to recreate the natural form of the tooth. After the restoration (filling) is placed, the tooth is healthier and able to function more normally. These procedures are normally performed by general dentists.
Endodontics (root canals) - If a cavity gets too big or too deep, it can reach the nerve of the tooth and cause a painful infection. During a root canal, the dentist removes the damaged pulp (nerve) of the tooth, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals the pulp space so it doesn't become re-infected. This procedure allows many painful or infected teeth can be saved, rather than extracted. Dentists who specialize in root canal therapy and related procedures are called endodontists.
Oral Surgery - Dentists perform a variety of surgical procedures in and around the mouth, including tooth extractions, alveoloplasty (recontouring of the jawbones), biopsy (removing a sample of tissue from a suspicious lesion to aid in diagnosis), excision (cutting out) of excess bone or soft tissue, dental implant placement, and others. Many minor procedures are performed by general dentists in the office setting under local anesthesia. Dentists who have specialized in this field are called oral & maxillofacial surgeons, and receive training in more complex surgeries such as removal of impacted (trapped inside the jawbone) teeth, repairing jaw and facial fractures, repositioning of the jaws to correct a patient's bite. Many of these bigger procedures require treatment in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia.
Prosthodontics - Many people are missing one or more teeth due to cavities, gum disease, or sometimes because they never formed to begin with. "Prosthodontics" refers to the different methods dentist use to replace these missing teeth, and as you might expect, it makes up a big part of many dentists' day-to-day work. Some prosthodontic appliances you might be familiar with include crowns, bridges, and dentures. Prosthodontics is generally handled by general dentists, but complex cases may be referred to a prosthodontist, a dental specialist with extra training to manage complicated prosthodontics cases.
Periodontics - Periodontal disease (gum disease) is extremely common, and untreated gum disease is responsible for literally millions of tooth extractions each year. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. This can be as simple as the healthy patient who gets her regular cleaning twice a year, or as complex as performing surgical cleanings, bone and gum grafts, dental implants, and other procedures to treat the effects of advanced gum disease. Dentists with advanced training in periodontics are called periodontists.
Orthodontics Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (as the specialty is officially known) is the branch of dentistry concerned with the proper growth, development, and positioning of not only the teeth, but the entire facial skeleton. Orthodontic treatment normally involves aligning the teeth with braces, retainers, or other appliances. Additionally, devices such as bite appliances, headgear, or even surgery (in conjunction with an oral & maxillofacial surgeon) can be employed in the treatment of more complex problems. Dentists who have received specialty training in this field are called orthodontists.
Pedodontics Just like in medicine, dentistry for children presents different and unique challenges compared to dentistry for adults. Kids can present behavioral challenges, physical and/or mental developmental disabilities not routinely encountered in a general practice setting. Pediatric dentists (also known as pedodontists) are dentists who have received specialty training in the treatment and management of children and adolescents. This training includes behavioral management, sedation techniques, restorative treatment procedures designed for the child patient, and treatment in the operating room. In addition to their specialty, many pediatric dentists receive training in orthodontics.
What's the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
There is no difference at all. The two degrees are identical in all respects. They indicate the same level of training and education, they perform the same procedures, and prescribe the same medications.
Are dentists really doctors?
Short Answer: Yes, as a dentist you will have earned the right to be called "Dr. Jones" or "Dr. Such-and-such," in your office or hospital. It's important, however, to recognize the similarities and differences between dentistry and medicine.
Long Answer: Dentists are doctors, yes, and a dentist's training overlaps significantly with an MD's education, but the two are not generally considered the same. This is due to differences in the way physicians and dentists are trained. Physicians of all specialties complete similar medical school programs before completing residency programs in their chosen specialty. Dental students are all specifically learning to become dentists, so dental schools focus their energy on producing well-trained dentists at the expense of the some of the more broadly-focused material medical students learn.
The advantage to this approach is that it enables new dentists to begin practicing immediately after graduating from dental school. The disadvantage is that this added depth of dental training comes at the expense of the breadth of medical school. Neither approach is inherently superior to the other, but one of the results is the existence of medicine and dentistry as similar, but distinct, professions.
How much money do dentists earn?
This is difficult to estimate accurately, since dentists, like most people, can be reluctant to reveal their personal income information. Like all professionals, dentists' earnings vary depending on their experience, training, and work setting. According to the American Dental Association, the average general dentist earned approximately $198,000 in 2005, and the average dental specialist earned approximately $304,000. As with all averages, some will earn significant more than these numbers, and some will earn significantly less.
I'm not especially fired up about teeth specifically, but I'm smart, I want to work in a medical profession, and I like working with my hands. Would I like being a dentist?
Obviously, nobody else can answer this question for you. The best way to find out would be to contact a dentist (maybe your own!) and ask if you can spend some time asking questions and/or job shadowing in his or her office. Most will be happy to let you, and actually seeing a dentist work, up close and personal, is likely to help you decide whether or not dentistry is a good career choice for you.
Can I have a career in dentistry without becoming a dentist?
Absolutely! Here are some of the more popular choices (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Dental assistants During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. They also instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. They may prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment. Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Those with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
Dental hygienists Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. They examine patients teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities.
Hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonic devices are used to clean and polish teeth, including removing calculus, stains, and plaque. Hygienists use x-ray machines to take dental pictures, and sometimes develop the film. They may use models of teeth to explain oral hygiene, perform root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.
Hygienists sometimes make a diagnosis and other times may prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chair side with the dentist during treatment.
Dental laboratory technicians - Dental laboratory technicians fill prescriptions from dentists for crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental prosthetics. First, dentists send a specification of the item to be manufactured, along with an impression or mold of the patients mouth or teeth. Then dental laboratory technicians, also called dental technicians, create a model of the patients mouth by pouring plaster into the impression and allowing it to set. They place the model on an apparatus that mimics the bite and movement of the patients jaw, and examine the model, noting the size and shape of the adjacent teeth, as well as gaps within the gumline. Based upon these observations and the dentists specifications, technicians build and shape a wax tooth or teeth model, using small hand instruments called wax spatulas and wax carvers. The wax model is used to cast the metal framework for the prosthetic device.
After the wax tooth has been formed, dental technicians pour the cast and form the metal and, using small hand-held tools, prepare the surface to allow the metal and porcelain to bond. They then apply porcelain in layers, to arrive at the precise shape and color of a tooth. Technicians place the tooth in a porcelain furnace to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework, and then adjust the shape and color, with subsequent grinding and addition of porcelain to achieve a sealed finish. The final product is a nearly exact replica of the lost tooth or teeth.
In some laboratories, technicians perform all stages of the work, whereas in other labs, each technician does only a few. Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in 1 of 5 areas: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics.
How can I learn more about a career in dentistry?
More information can be obtained at the following websites:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
American Dental Association
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