armorshell said:
It's a "restoration", not a "filling"
Actually, the word "restoration" can be lots of things (Class I, amalgam, porcelain, inlays, onlays, crowns, etc.) It is not a substitute for filling.
My advice to people wanting to learn some dental terminology, or wanting to get some info on current dental issues... is to do 3 things:
1) dont listen to all the things written on SDN because
sometimes it can be quite wrong.
2) contact the ADA and ask them to send some informative packets on various dental subject material - they have pamphlets on just about everything... tooth eruption charts, NO2, Sealants, x-rays, amalgam info., whatever! I have probably a closet full of pamphlets that I have looked through and studied and I really feel confident in my knowledge of dentistry (at least what I have the ability to know at this stage- prior to dental school)
3) shadow different dental offices and pay attention to the procedures done. Ask a lot of questions and show your interest. You will get a lot out of it. If you havent shadowed before, then do it NOW. There is nothing easier than finding someone to shadow... I dont care what anyone says. If the first 3 offices dont need you, you keep trying until the 20th says "ok"
Back to the subject...When you go to your interview for dental school, be honest and be yourself. They will know in 5 minutes whether or not you have actually studied and have shown interest in the field. Yeah, it would be great if you knew what kinds of procedures are done in each specialty, and maybe even knowing the tooth numbering system... but honestly, they wont expect more than that from you.
The most difficult question they might ask is "What do you consider to be a major problem/concern currently in dentistry."
Questions like that can only be answered honestly. So, just be yourself... and if yourself isn't good enough for them, then oh well ... their loss!
By the way, HermeytheElf ..... that comment was hilarious!