Dentistry
is the health profession that prevents and corrects problems of the teeth, gums,
and mouth.
The practice of dentistry involves taking x-rays, locating and filling cavities in teeth, straightening crooked teeth, extracting teeth, repairing fractured teeth, treating gum diseases, placing protective plastic sealants on children's teeth, and performing dental surgery.
Dental services are needed among all age groups. Like medicine, there are many dental specialties.
Dental Careers
Dentists are the major practitioners of dental care. They are assisted by specially trained assistants who perform office work, assist in "chairside" duties, clean teeth, make dentures and crowns, provide therapeutic services, and provide patient education. Other members of the dental health care team include dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, and dental laboratory assistants. The practice of dentistry requires good manual dexterity, good eyesight, and the ability to work with all types of people.
The prevention of dental disease damage has come to be a major focus in dentistry. Instruction in dental hygiene has long been crucial. Now, effective prevention requires added consciousness of specific disease-causing behaviors such as tobacco use. As a result, the allied dental health care team is responsible to become more educated about such dangers and to develop skill in motivating clients to deal with them effectively.
