Dentists are at the forefront of oral health. With world-class training under their belts, they use pain-relief to provide advice to their patients while relieving discomfort. Dentistry can be an exciting career that requires strong communication and manual dexterity skills – two skills dentists possess.
Beginning the journey towards becoming a dentist starts with an undergraduate program that prepares you for dental school. The initial two years of dental school concentrate on biomedical courses such as anatomy, chemistry and biology.
They’re a Doctor of the Mouth
Dentists specialize in treating diseases affecting the teeth, gums, bones and tissues of the mouth. Dentists employ visual exams, diagnostic tests and x-rays to diagnose oral illnesses.
Health screenings also help detect other illnesses and health conditions that first manifest themselves in the mouth, such as cancer of the mouth, gums and tongue, high blood pressure, stress levels, sleep apnea or any number of conditions that affect overall wellness.
At dental school, dentists receive rigorous medical training similar to that received by medical students. Their curriculum includes courses such as biology, chemistry and math such as physics. When they graduate they earn either their Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degrees – both have equal scope of practice so can be considered true doctors in their own right.
They’re a Doctor of the Body
Dentists are trained professionals with extensive experience diagnosing and treating oral diseases. Additionally, they use this knowledge to educate their patients on preventative care measures that may lower the risk of gum disease, infections or any other oral health concerns.
Though many don’t consider dentists physicians, they do possess some form of medical degree: either a Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) or Surgery (DDS).
As any physician would do, dentists are qualified to prescribe medications and perform surgeries, as well as detect early symptoms of illness in other parts of the body. Dentists can even detect early warning signs related to other medical issues – for instance diabetes may have strong links with dental health; dentists may detect such links and refer their patients on to cardiologists for further tests.
They’re a Doctor of the Teeth
As their name implies, dentists are experts on all matters related to the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. They conduct physical exams, diagnose diseases and injuries, perform preventive and therapeutic services like fillings, crowns, implants, gum care and corrective surgery, while working as part of a team comprised of dental assistants, hygienists and lab technicians.dentist jeddah
While many don’t view dentists as physicians, they nonetheless receive medical training similar to that received by physicians. Their undergraduate studies include biology, chemistry and health sciences courses before entering dental school for eight years of training to earn their dental degrees.
After graduating, both physicians and dentists undergo residency programs in their field of practice. Doctors may become board-certified in specialty fields like pediatric dentistry, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology or prosthodontics; while dentists generally enter general dental practices or specialize in one of nine dental specialties – all trained to identify and treat oral diseases or injuries.
They’re a Doctor of the Soft Tissues
Although many believe dental professionals do not qualify as physicians due to not wearing white coats, there is ample proof that dentists are indeed doctors. Dentists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the teeth, jaws, mouth, and oral tissues; additionally they offer preventive care services and educate their patients about good oral health practices.
Dentists undergo similar rigorous studies and training as medical doctors before entering dental school. Before being accepted as dentists, undergraduate degrees must first be earned in topics like biology, chemistry and health before being applied for.
Dentistry specialties that help dentists more accurately diagnose and treat their patients include endodontics (which deals with root canal treatments); oral and maxillofacial surgery (which treats injuries, defects, and diseases that affect the face, mouth, jaws), orthodontics (braces to straighten teeth); dental anesthesiology – offering advanced pain management for dental or oral surgery procedures – as well as dental anesthesiology which provides advanced pain management to those undergoing any dental procedures or surgeries;