Dentists study for up to six years beyond undergraduate school to be able to save teeth, tissue, mouths, and lives. They are an important ally in maintaining proper oral health.
According to the American Dental Association, dentists are either general or sub-specialized practitioners in the medical science of "diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral health disorders and malformations." Dentists begin their education as pre-dental, pre-medical, or biology majors in their choice of undergraduate program, but many go on to complete approximately 6 additional years of a doctorate program, including specializations. The American Dental Association recognizes nine separate areas of dental occupation and patient care. These areas include endodontic, orthodontic, pediatric, periodontic, prosthodontic, public health, oral surgery, oral radiology and oral pathology. We will discuss a few of the most common areas of focus with this article as we delve into the education, training, and licensing of a practicing dental professional. A dentist's training begins with his or her education. After achievement of an undergraduate degree in a related science, chemistry, or biology field, he or she must pass the necessary Dental Admission Test (DAT) for dental college application. The college chosen will have achieved official recognition, again, from the division of the American Dental Association on Dental Accreditation. The future physicians work towards either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Throughout a dentist’s doctoral program, the causes, nature, and effects of oral diseases are studied. He or she will develop the clinical skills to be able to diagnose and treat a myriad of patient conditions and ailments. Their training also includes an extended externship where they achieve a large portion of their hands on experience with the multiple areas of dentistry. The dentist may at this point elect to pursue specialization, which will dictate whether additional years of study will be necessary. Dentists have many options of specialization in such areas as pediatrics, endodontics, periodontics, dental surgery, and public health. Public health is closely related to the mission of the American Dental Association's concern with their registered dentists' education and development, as well as the overall health and preventative care of all patients. Specifically, endodontics deals with root canal therapy to save teeth damaged from the pulp and bone underneath and within each tooth. On the other hand, periodontics focuses on diseases and conditions of the gums as well as the dealings of dental implant placement. Meanwhile, orthodontics aims to treat the malformation and aesthetic displeasure of teeth and bite misalignment for patients of all ages. All areas of dentistry are very closely related, but when pain and inflammation begin disrupting your daily routine, the specialization of a very skilled dentist is priceless. Lastly, licensing is mandatory for practicing dentists. They predominately practice from their own private offices, so they have to stay abreast of all of the latest research, techniques, as well as examinations required to legally treat patients. Each state provides its own regulations, but the ADA offers several guidelines that are used nation-wide, in order to maintain standards across the board, for the development of all practitioners' expertise and for the success of all patients' oral health.
