Dentist
Information on Dentistry
A dental hygienist performs many of the fundamental functions that we experience in a typical Dentist office visit. With a licensed degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), these professionals are skilled in preventative dental care. However, a hygienist is not a dentist, but is often consulted more in a seattle dentist’s office visit for preventative dentistry.Dental hygienists are usually the people to see for x-rays and regular teeth cleaning. Oral examinations and dental work, such as fillings and various treatments, are done by the dentist directly. Under their RDH license, hygienists are specialized in removing plaque and calculus, along with treating diseased gum tissue.
Hygienists also specialize in teaching oral health. Oral health may be different during various stages of life, and it is the dental hygienist’s job to inform patients about these special cases. Classes on how to teach oral hygiene to children and dental hygiene for pregnant women may be taught by a hygienist at a hospital or a dentist’s office.
A job as a dental hygienist is a rewarding experience. The program to study to become a hygienist is often much shorter than the schooling needed to become a dentist. Not only that, dental hygienists take part in developing patients to be aware of their oral health, so as to not have to visit a seattle dentist for painful procedures
A facelift at the Dentist? To better understand the issue and make an informed decision, it is important to know the training of each specialist.
Would you let a dentist do your facelift? Lawmakers in California and Colorado are on the verge of passing bills would allow dentists, primarily oral surgeons, to perform facelifts and rhinoplasty (nose jobs) in addition to the removal of wisdom teeth and other procedures traditionally performed by the oral surgeon. Not surprisingly, this issue has caused a tremendous amount of controversy in the medical community, with strong opposition from plastic surgeons. The topic has certainly raised some eye brows, and was even a recent subject of conversation on WPHT radio’s morning show with Michael Smerconish.
To better understand the issue and make an informed decision, it is important to know the training of each specialist. Prospective dental and medical students must take identical classes in college, which include biology, general and organic chemistry, physics and their associated labs. Both pre-dental and pre-medical students must also take their respective entrance exams to matriculate into medical or dental school. Medical and dental schools are each four year programs, but their emphasis is different. Medical school teaches treatment of the entire body, and dental school teaches an understanding of the entire body and how it relates to treatment of the mouth.
To become an oral surgeon, a seattle dentist must complete a three to four year residency (six year programs offer an MD degree). Oral surgeons are trained to remove teeth, section and reposition the jaws, reconstruct the jaw and facial skeleton after traumatic injury, biopsy suspicious lesions, repair cleft palates, and perform many other invasive procedures. Many oral surgery residency programs teach residents how to perform rhinoplasty and other facial plastic surgical procedures. Oral surgeons are also trained to perform IV sedation and general anesthesia.
To become a plastic surgeon, the medical doctor must first complete a three or more year surgical residency. The surgeon must then complete a two or three year plastic surgery residency program to complete the training.
So the question remains: Should oral surgeons be allowed to perform facial plastic surgery? Are plastic surgeons just protecting their turf? The answer is not as clear cut as most of us would like. I believe that an oral surgeon who has sufficient training and experience should be permitted to perform facial plastic surgery. The oral surgeon should be held to the same standard as a plastic surgeon when performing the same surgery. I would feel more comfortable with an oral surgeon who also holds an MD degree if I considered having facial plastic surgery not performed by a plastic surgeon. Although a plastic surgeon should be considered the doctor of choice for facial plastic surgery, I do not believe that a properly trained oral surgeon should be summarily dismissed as unqualified for the procedure.
A matter of trust
Question: I have not been to a dentist in about a year and a half since I recently moved to the area. My new dentist told me that I have seven cavities and need two crowns. I have no pain and everything feels great. I am reluctant to go back to him because I don’t think I have any dental problems. What do you suggest?
Answer: This is one of the most common questions I get from a new patient who was dissatisfied with their previous dentist. The answer is not as simple as it might seem. In general, a patient who questions the accuracy of the dentist’s diagnosis falls into one of three categories. He or she is either fearful of having the treatment done, does not like how they were treated by dentist or the staff, or has not been given a clear explanation of what needs to be done and why. To put it simply, the patient does not trust the Dentist. When ever you have doubts about the type of treatment that you need, ask questions. In this instance, you might ask how you can have all those cavities and need crowns, but not have any pain. The dentist can then explain that most cavities will often have no symptoms. It is not until the cavity is fairly deep that you begin to feel sensitivity to cold or hot foods and beverages. By that time, the tooth will often require a root canal to treat the cavity that has infected it.
Remember that pain is not always an accurate indicator of the beginning of a dental or medical problem, for that matter. Like dental disease, medical conditions such as heart disease and many cancers often progress in an unsuspecting person who feels no pain.
A crown is recommended on most back teeth (molars and premolars) if the tooth has had extensive damage, a large broken filling, or has had root canal therapy. The crown (cap) fits over the damaged tooth to restore its strength and appearance. In most of these cases, the tooth will not have any symptoms.
The best approach for a patient and their dentist is to have an open dialogue about what dental problems exist, and what treatment options are available. If you are skeptical about the cavities that are diagnosed, ask the dentist to show them to you with an intra-oral camera, on the x-ray (if possible) or other method. If you are fearful about the treatment needed, ask what things the dentist can do to insure as comfortable an experience as possible.
Always trust your instincts. If you feel that something is just not right about what your dentist is telling you, get a second opinion. A dentist who is honest and has integrity will not mind if you want another opinion.
A second opinion can be a real eye-opener
Getting a second opinion on a dental problem is sometimes the most important decision a person can make. In most cases, when a patient wants a second opinion, he or she lacks confidence in the dentist and has doubts about how best to treat their dental condition. In some situations, it is the seattle dentist who requests a second opinion from a dental specialist to obtain additional information about a dental problem. Second opinions are important because they may confirm, refute, or clarify the situation.
Most people come to their dentist with a cooperative attitude and in good faith. The Dentist is often someone they have known for many years, and trust. These dentists are usually able to provide the dental care necessary for their patients, and both are satisfied. When a person starts going to a new dentist, the situation is completely different. The patient and dentist have no experience or history with each other, and problems can sometimes occur. The Dentist’s style or communication skills may present a barrier to the patient. The patient may perceive a lack of confidence or competence from the new dentist. In these situations, it may be wise for the patient to seek a second opinion. I do not recommend that any patient proceed with dental treatment unless they have a high degree of confidence in their Dentist. Sometimes it is the dentist who needs a second opinion. In fact, I will ask my patient to go for a second opinion when the need arises. A good example is when I find what I suspect may be oral cancer. In this situation, I will refer my patient to an oral surgeon to get his diagnosis and treatment recommendations. A second opinion and teamwork between the seattle dentist, dental specialist, and patient are often vital to getting the best possible outcome.
There are some instances when second opinions are not helpful. It is when the second opinion becomes a fourth, fifth, sixth opinion, or more. These are the patients that keep hearing the same thing from each dentist, but hope to hear something different. If they do finally hear what they want to hear from the “seventh” Dentist, it may not be in their best interest. Laser tooth whitening is one option among many. It is preferable for some due to the short amount of time the procedure takes. This whitening treatment must be supervised by a seattle dentist. The effects of the treatment will vary from person to person. Teeth that appear yellowish will most likely achieve a better effect than someone who has grayish teeth.
Laser tooth whitening takes between one and two hours to complete. The first part of the procedure is a teeth cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar from the teeth. A whitening gel is then applied and the laser light is used to activate the gel. The laser light intensifies the action of the ingredients within the whitening gel. If a person’s teeth are extremely stained, the laser/gel treatment may need to be performed a second time later on to achieve maximum results.
Laser tooth whitening treatments will usually cost between 500 and 1000 dollars per treatment. This is relatively expensive compared to some other whitening methods. However, the lack of at home preparation and use, as well as the short amount of time the procedure takes makes the treatment a very popular one.
The treatment boasts several advantages. There are no side effects on the tooth enamel, other than the actual whitening. Teeth can remain brighter for up to three years. Tooth sensitivity is not reported to be a common issue with this treatment. Your seattle dentist can best advise you if laser treatments are appropriate for your whitening needs.
Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth or mouth tissue. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines; drills; and instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Most Dentist are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other Dentist practice in any of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists, straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or retainers. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operates on the mouth and jaws. The remainder may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing on dentistry for children); periodontists (treating gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures); endodontists (performing root canal therapy); public health dentists (promoting good dental health and preventing dental diseases within the community); oral pathologists (studying oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial radiologists (diagnosing diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies).
Most Dentist work 4 or 5 days a week. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients’ needs. Most full-time dentists work between 35 and 40 hours a week, but others work more. Initially, dentists may work more hours as they establish their practice. Experienced dentists often work fewer hours. Many continue in part-time practice well beyond the usual retirement age.
Most dentists are solo practitioners, meaning that they own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Some Dentists have partners, and a few work for other Dentists as associate dentists.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed. To qualify for a license in most States, candidates must graduate from 1 of the 56 dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) Commission on Dental Accreditation in 2004, and then must pass written and practical examinations. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the State licensing requirements by passing the National Board Dental Examinations. Individual States or regional testing agencies administer the written or practical examinations.
Dental schools require a minimum of 2 years of college-level predental education, regardless of the major chosen. However, most dental students have at least a bachelor’s degree. Predental education emphasizes coursework in science, and many applicants to dental school major in a science such as biology or chemistry, while other applicants major in another subject and take many science courses as well. A few applicants are accepted to dental school after 2 or 3 years of college and complete their bachelor’s degree while attending dental school.
All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). When selecting students, schools consider scores earned on the DAT, applicants’ grade point averages, and information gathered through recommendations and interviews. Competition for admission to dental school is keen.
Dental school usually lasts 4 academic years. Studies begin with classroom instruction and laboratory work in basic sciences, including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology. Beginning courses in clinical sciences, including laboratory techniques, also are provided at this time. During the last 2 years, students treat patients, usually in dental clinics, under the supervision of licensed dentists. Most dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). The rest award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Some dental school graduates work for established dentists as associates for 1 to 2 years to gain experience and save money to equip an office of their own. Most dental school graduates, however, purchase an established practice or open a new one immediately after graduation.
In 2004, 17 States licensed or certified dentists who intended to practice in a specialty area. Requirements include 2 to 4 years of postgraduate education and, in some cases, the completion of a special State examination. Most State licenses permit dentists to engage in both general and specialized practice. Dentist who want to teach or conduct research usually spend an additional 2 to 5 years in advanced dental training, in programs operated by dental schools or hospitals. According to the ADA, each year about 12 percent of new graduates enroll in postgraduate training programs to prepare for a dental specialty.
Dentist requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentist should have good visual memory, excellent judgment regarding space and shape, a high degree of manual dexterity, and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills are helpful for success in private practice. High school and college students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics.
Employment of Dentist is projected to grow about a fast as average for all occupations through 2014. Although employment growth will provide some job opportunities, most jobs will result from the need to replace the large number of dentists expected to retire. Job prospects should be good as new dentists take over established practices or start their own.
Demand for dental care should grow substantially through 2014. As members of the baby-boom generation advance into middle age, a large number will need complicated dental work, such as bridges. In addition, elderly people are more likely to retain their teeth than were their predecessors, so they will require much more care than in the past. The younger generation will continue to need preventive checkups despite treatments such as fluoridation of the water supply, which decreases the incidence of tooth decay. However, employment of dentists is not expected to grow as rapidly as the demand for dental services. As their practices expand, dentists are likely to hire more dental hygienists and dental assistants to handle routine services.
Dentistwill increasingly provide care and instruction aimed at preventing the loss of teeth, rather than simply providing treatments such as fillings. Improvements in dental technology also will allow dentists to offer more effective and less painful treatment to their patients.