DENTIST
The World Health Organization defines Dentistry as "the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of
the teeth, jaws and mouth".
Dentistry is an ethical profession and practicing dentists are expected
to place the welfare of their patients before any other consideration.
What does a Dentist do?
Primarily a dentist aims to treat oral disorders.
- A dentist provides preventive treatment such as scaling, cleaning and fluoride therapy.
- A dentist repairs teeth damaged by decay or trauma, rebuilding tooth structures for functional or cosmetic reasons and providing crowns and bridges.
- A dentist also treats diseases of the roots, gums and soft tissues of the mouth and carries out various surgical procedures, from routine extractions to far more complex operations on the jaws and soft tissues.
o X-rays are used to detect abnormalities and plan treatment.
o Malformation and misalignment of teeth and jaws are corrected by providing 'braces' or other appliances.
The need to extract teeth has considerably decreased due to improved knowledge and education and the development of conservative techniques, materials and equipment.
A dentist also designs dentures by taking impressions, recording jaw relations, selecting color and mould of teeth and correctly fitting dental appliances manufactured by dental technicians to dentists' prescriptions.
Training required becoming a Dentist
Dental courses last 4 years and lead to a bachelor's degree (BDS). The courses include a sound academic education combined with theoretical and practical training in all aspects of dental practice. Subjects studied include:
1st Professional
Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Applied Dental Materials.
2nd Professional
Oral Anatomy, Pharmacology, Pathology.
3rd Professional
Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Periodontics, General Medicine, General Surgery
4th Professional (Final)
Operative, Peadodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics
The academic requirements for entrance to dental school are high. They vary according to the school and so should be checked individually.
Once qualified, dentists continue to update and further their knowledge, through a wide range of short courses. There is also the possibility of studying for further postgraduate qualifications, sometimes on a part-time basis.
Applying to
An admission in dental colleges usually requires a minimum of two years of college (Intermediate, Pre-Medical). Prepare for and take the Aptitude Test before you anticipate entering dental college. The Aptitude Test is one of several measures of a person's potential for academic success in dental college.
Most dental schools require personal interviews with candidates to assess attributes such as desire to help people, ability to get along well with others, self-confidence, ability to meet challenges and capacity to work independently. The personal interview also allows you to ask questions about the school and its services.
Entrance in the dental profession
To practice dentistry in
Note: Foreign dentist contact PM&DC for registration as a dental surgeon in
Types of dental practice options
Dentists may work in private practice, as a solo practitioner or as an assistant, an associate, or a partner. Alternatively, a dentist may be employed in government service.
On graduation, dental colleges are sometimes able to provide appointments as demonstrators or lecturers.
Each of the armed services maintains dental units which provide treatment for members of the service and in some circumstances their families.
To be able to set up a specialist practice you must be registered as a specialist with the PMDC. In general, you are required to have a degree, diploma or award of high standing which testifies to your ability in the specialized area, plus demonstrate you have been practicing exclusively, or with considerable emphasis in that field for a reasonable time.
Recognized dental specialties
The following list describes the various specialist dentists.
- An Endodontist treats diseases and injuries to, and associated with the dental pulp, i.e. the soft tissues in the hollow core of the tooth.
- An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon surgically treats injuries, abnormalities and diseases of mouth and adjacent parts.
- An Orthodontist prevents and treats badly aligned teeth and jaws.
- A Pediatric Dentist treats children or adolescents who need special care because of behavioral problems, trauma, medical status or disability.
- A Periodontist prevents and treats diseases of the tissues which support the teeth, i.e. the gums and underlying bone.
- A Prosthodontist restores and/or replaces teeth and their associated parts.
DENTAL ASSISTANT
A dental chairside assistant (sometimes known as a Dental Nurse) works
closely with the dentist in all stages of the patient's treatment.
Duties include reception of the patient and preparation for treatment,
sterilizing instruments and setting them out for the dentist, mixing materials, developing and mounting x-rays and chairside assistance by passing instruments and using suction apparatus.
A dental assistant may also be involved in the administration of the practice by answering telephones, making appointments, maintaining patient records, ordering supplies, preparing accounts and collecting payments.
Personal Requirements
- Manual dexterity.
- Good communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to concentrate and follow instructions.
- Good organizational ability and time management skills.
- Interest in Health Care work.
Related Jobs
Dental Therapist
Dental Technician
Dental Hygienist
What training is required to become a dental assistant?
Much training is received 'on the job', but training courses are available and recommended.
Employment Opportunities
Most dental assistants are employed by dentists in private practices and clinics. Some dental assistants undertake further study to become dental hygienists.
Additional Information
At present, dental assistants are not required to be registered with the PMDC or PDA in which they intend to work.
DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Dental hygienists assist dentists in treating patients. They use preventive, educational and therapeutic methods for the control of oral diseases to aid individual patients and groups in achieving and maintaining oral health.
Dental hygienists are trained to do specific clinical procedures which aim to prevent dental disease. They work under the supervision of a dentist.
Dental Hygienists may perform the following tasks:
- Educate and counsel children and adults on dental health, plaque control, oral hygiene and nutrition;
- Remove deposits and stains from teeth by scaling and root planning;
- Assist in the prevention and control of dental caries (decay) and gum disease;
- Select and use appropriate fluoride treatments and polish tooth restorations;
- Expose and process dental x-rays;
- Make impressions of patients' mouths for the construction of study casts and mouth guards;
- Select and size orthodontic bands (braces), and remove orthodontic wires;
Apply and remove periodontal packs; and - Instruct patients on how to look after teeth and mouth after operations.
Personal Requirements
o Able to perform precise accurate work
o Good communication skills
Related Jobs
- Dental Therapist
- Dental Technician
- Dentist
- Dental Assistant
Education and Training
One year certificate course from reputed and registered dental institute.
Employment Opportunities
Dental hygienists are not permitted to set up in private practice, but must work under the supervision and direction of a dentist. They work in private practices, community health centers, dental hospitals and regional clinics. Qualified dental hygienists should not experience difficulty in finding employment.
There is currently a shortage of hygienists for the perceived needs of the work force, due mainly to the shortage of training facilities.
DENTAL TECHNICIAN
Dental technicians construct and repair dentures (false teeth) and other dental appliances including crowns and bridges.
Dental technicians work closely with dental prosthetists and dentists in the construction, modification and repair of dentures and other dental appliances.
Dental technicians may perform the following tasks:
- Make models of the mouth and teeth from impressions of the patient's mouth (taken by the dental prosthetist [clinical dental technician] or dentist);
- Build up wax replicas of part of all of the mouth and/or teeth on the model;
- Encase the wax in a mould material and melt away the wax;
- Replace the wax with either plastic, metal or ceramic materials to make the replacement appliance;
- Polish and finish the appliance prior to it being placed in the patient's mouth and
- Make appliances for patients with cleft palates, braces and plates for correcting irregular teeth and mouth guards.
Dental technicians work in dental laboratories on their own or in small groups. They use a wide range of materials and techniques in their work. Dental technicians use a high degree of technical ability, training and skills involving a diversity of techniques. These include plaster casting, electro-spot welding, metal casting, metal polishing, wax modeling, ceramics, wire bending, electroplating and sandblasting.
Dental technicians usually have no direct contact with patients.
Dental technology may be divided into the following areas:
- General Prostheses - the largest field in dental technology in which partial or full dentures (metal and non-metal) are constructed to replace the partial or total loss of natural teeth;
- Crown and Bridge - used in the restoration of the natural teeth and fixed in the patient's mouth;
- Orthodontics - the manufacture of fixed or removable appliances for the correction of dental irregularities in the child and young adult mouth.
- Maxillo-Facial - prostheses are made to replace missing facial and body tissues due to injury, disease or development abnormality; and
- Implantology - implants are placed directly into the patient's jawbone and prostheses are made to fit these implants. This system can be used for single, multiple or complete restorations.
Personal Requirements
- Good communication skills
- Manual dexterity and ability to do precise and detailed work
- Able to judge form and design
- Able to concentrate