Dental Education
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study,diagnosis, prevention,
and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial
area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body.Dentistry is widely considered necessary for complete overall health. Those who
practice d entistry are known as dentists. The dentist's supporting teamaids in
providing oral health services, which includes dental assistants,dental hygienists,
dental technicians, and dental therapists.
Dentistry usually encompasses very important practices related to the oral
cavity. Oral diseases are major public health problems due to their high
incidence and prevalence across the globe with the disadvantaged affected more
than other socio-economic groups.
Although modern day dental practice centres around prevention, many treatments or
interventions are still needed. The majority of dental treatments are carried out
to prevent or treat the two most common oral diseases which are dental caries (tooth
decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease or pyorrhea). Common treatments involve
the restoration of teeth as a treatment for dental caries (fillings), extraction
or surgical removal of teeth which cannot be restored, scaling of teeth to treat
periodontal problems and endodontic root canal treatment to treat abscessed teeth.
All dentists train for around 4 or 5 years at University and qualify as a 'dental
surgeon'. By nature of their general training they can carry out the majority of
dental treatments such as restorative (fillings, crowns, bridges), prosthetic (dentures),
endodontic (root canal) therapy,periodontal (gum) therapy, and exodontia (extraction
of teeth), as well as performing examinations, radiographs (x-rays) and diagnosis.
Dentists can also prescribe certain medications such as antibiotics, fluorides,
and sedatives but they are not able to prescribe the full range that physicians
can.
Dentists need to take additional qualifications or training to carry out more complex
treatments such as sedation, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and implants. Whilst
the majority of oral diseases are unique and self limiting, some can indicate poor
general health,tumours,blood dyscrasias and abnormalities including genetic problems.