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Dental Careers, Dentist Jobs, Dentistry Education Programs
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Dental Careers - Dentistry Education
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Dentistry Jobs.
Dentistry:
Dentistry involves the evaluation, diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders
and conditions that affect the mouth, teeth,
gums, neck and jaws. People who practice
Dentistry are called Dentists. The health care
provided by Dentists contributes to the general
health of the patient, and Dentistry
Professionals can be vital in the early
detection of disease such as systemic conditions
and cancer.
Today Dentists are highly skilled in
new technologies such as cosmetic procedures and
dental implants which make Dentistry a highly
challenging and rewarding career. There are
several other professionals who aid in oral
health and work closely with Dentists allowing
dentists to focus on the more complex tasks.
These professionals include: Dental Assistants,
Dental Hygienists and Dental Technicians.
Types of Dentist:
Dentists may practice in a variety of
environments including, hospitals, outpatient
clinics, Dentists Offices, Schools etc. Dentists
who work for their own private practice must
also carry out a number of administrative tasks
and supervise Dental Assistants, Dental
Therapists and Receptionists.
The nine types
of specialist dentists are:
- Endodontists. Specialize in root canal
treatments.
- Maxillofacial Radiologists. Use imaging
technology to diagnose disease in the head and
neck.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Operate on
the jaws and mouth.
- Oral Pathologists. Study and diagnose oral
disease.
- Orthodontists. Straighten teeth with braces
and retainers.
- Pediatric Dentists. Specialize in working with
children’s teeth.
- Periodontists. Specialize in gum disease.
- Prosthodontists. Replace missing teeth with
bridges, crowns or dentures.
- Public Health Dentists. Work to promote
preventative dentistry in the community.
Dentistry
Education:
- Dentist. To become a Dentist you need to pass
an accredited degree program in Dentistry and
obtain a license from the state in which you
wish to practice. The American Dental
Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental
Accreditation provides accreditation to schools
that meet its strict requirements.
Many dental
programs require that students have a minimum of
2 years in college before admittance. Many
dental students have a bachelor’s degree before
entering into a dental school. All dental
schools require applicants to take the Dental
Admissions Test (DAT). Dental school programs
usually last 4 years.
Subjects studied include:
anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and
physiology. During the last 2 years, students
work with patients under the supervision of a
licensed dentist. Graduates from dental school
are awarded with a Doctor of Dental Surgery
(DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Other Dental Careers:
- Dental Assistant:
A Dental Assistant performs patient care duties
under the supervision of a dentist. Dental
Assistants can also perform administrative and
laboratory tasks. The Commission on Dental
Accreditation (CODA) within the American Dental
Association (ADA) is the accreditation body for
Dental Assistant Programs. Programs cover
subjects such as dental assisting skills and
theory, preclinical instruction and also consist
of supervised clinical practice.
Most Programs
are 1 year in duration, where successful
students graduate with a certificate or diploma.
Some Community and Junior Colleges offer 2 year
programs where students will graduate with an
associate degree. Having a high school diploma
is the minimum requirement for enrolling in a
Dental Assistant program.
- Dental Hygienist:
A Dental Hygienist is licensed to perform
clinical tasks in a Dental Clinic. Many dental
practices only hire a dental hygienist to work
one or two days per week. Over one half of
dental hygienists in the U.S. work part time
which makes this a flexible career for many.
Other Hygienists choose to work in more than one
dental office to make up a full working week.
To
become a qualified dental hygienist you must
complete a degree in Dental Hygiene from an
accredited school. You must them complete the
licensure requirements of the state in which you
wish to work. Having your high school diploma is
a prerequisite for enrolling in a Dental Hygiene
program. If you are interested in a career as a
dental hygienist you should take high school
courses in chemistry, biology and mathematics.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
provides accreditation for suitable Dental
Hygiene Programs.
Typical subjects studied in a
Dental Hygiene program include: physiology,
anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, microbiology,
nutrition, histology (tissue structure),
radiography, periodontology (gum disease),
dental materials, pathology, clinical dental
hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences.
- Dental Technician:
A Dental Technician or Dental Laboratory
Technician manufactures crowns, bridges and
dentures for a Dentist. The Dental Technician
receives an image or mould of the patients mouth
and bases the fixture on this. To become a fully
qualified dental technician takes 3 to 4 years
in college. Programs are available through
Vocational, Technical, Community and Junior
colleges.
Find a Health Education School:
Use the red search box in the menu above, to find
health / dentist schools and colleges in your area that
offer
dental education programs.
Below is a list of some of the various types of
health career fields: |
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