Specialties
There are nine dental specialties recognized by the American
Dental Association and require 2-6 years of further formal
university training after dental school.
The specialties are Dental Public Health (study of dental epidemiology and social health policies), Endodontics (root canal therapy), Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (study, diagnosis, and often the treatment of oral and maxillofacial related diseases), Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (study and radiologic interpretation of oral and maxillofacial diseases), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (extractions and facial surgery), Orthodontics (straightening of teeth), Pedodontics (pediatric dentistry for children), Periodontics (treatment of gum disease), Prosthodontics (replacement of missing facial anatomy by prostheses such as dentures, bridges and implants).
Specialists in these fields are designated registrable (U.S.
"Board Eligible") and warrant exclusive titles such as
orthodontist, oral surgeon, pedodontist, periodontist, or
prosthodontist upon satisfying certain local (U.S. "Board
Certified") registry requirements.
Two other post-graduate formal advanced education programs: General Practice Residency (advanced clinical and didactic training with intense hospital experience) and Advanced Education in General Dentistry (advanced training in clinical dentistry) recognized by the ADA do not lead to specialization.
Other dental
education exists where no post-graduate formal university training
is required: cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, temporal-mandibular
joint therapy. These usually require the attendance of one or more
continuing education courses that typically last for one to
several days. There are restrictions on allowing these dentists to
call themselves specialists in these fields. The specialist titles
are registrable titles and controlled by the local dental
licensing bodies.
Forensic odontology consists of the gathering and use of dental
evidence in law. This may be performed by any dentist with
experience or training in this field. The function of the forensic
dentist is primarily documentation and verification of identity.
Geriatric dentistry or gerodontics is the delivery of dental care
to older adults involving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
of problems associated with normal aging and age-related diseases
as part of an interdisciplinary team with other health care
professionals.
History
In 2001 archaeologists studying the remains of two men from Mehrgarh, Pakistan, made the discovery that the people of Indus Valley Civilization, even from the early Harappan periods (c. 3300 BC), had knowledge of medicine and dentistry. The physical anthropologist that carried out the examinations, Professor Andrea Cucina from the University of Missouri-Columbia, made the discovery when he was cleaning the teeth from one of the men.
Some information
contained in the Edwin Smith Papyrus dates as early as 3000 BC and
includes the treatment of several dental ailments. The Ebers
papyrus also discusses similar treatments. Examining the remains
of some ancient Egyptians and Greco-Romans reveal early attempts
at dental prosthetics and surgery.
Historically, dental extractions have been used to treat a variety
of illnesses. During the middle ages and through the 19th century,
dentistry was not a profession into itself, and often dental
procedures were performed by barbers or general physicians.
Barbers usually limited their practice to extracting teeth, which
not only resulted in the alleviation of pain, but often cured a
variety of ailments linked with chronic tooth infection.
Instruments used for dental extractions date back several
centuries. In the 14th century, Guy de Chauliac invented the
dental pelican (resembling a pelican's beak) which was used
through the late 18th century. The pelican was replaced by the
dental key which, in turn, was replaced by modern forceps in the
20th century.
Dentistry in Australia
In Australia, graduating dentists earn either a B.D.S. (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or B.D.Sc (Bachelor of Dental Science) degree.
Dentistry in Canada
Canadian dentistry is overseen by the Canadian Dental Association, while specialization is overseen by the Royal College of Dentists. Today, Canada has about 16,000 dentists. Canadian dentistry is not publicly run (see Medicare (Canada)); only children and the elderly can have free dental care. Other Canadians are mostly covered by workplace dental plans, but many have to pay out of pocket.
For most of the early colonial period dentistry was a rare and unusual practice in Canada. In severe situations, barbers or blacksmiths would pull a tooth, but for many years Canada lagged behind European advances. The first dentists in Canada were United Empire Loyalists who fled the American Revolution. The first recorded dentist in Canada was a Mr. Hume who advertised in a Halifax newspaper in 1814.
During the first half of the 19th century, dentistry expanded rapidly. In 1867 the Ontario Dental Association was formed and in 1868 they founded Canada's first dental school in Toronto, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. The University of Toronto agreed to be affiliated with the dental school. As time passed, other Canadian universities also created dentistry programmes.
Visit Job Futures.ca for info on dentistry & similar careers. Predental students should visit Dental School Admission Guide for information on successfully applying to dental school.
Canadian dentistry schools
- University of Toronto (1868)
- McGill University (1905)
- Université de Montréal (1905)
- Dalhousie University (1908)
- University of Alberta (1923)
- University of Manitoba (1958)
- University of British Columbia (1964)
- University of Western Ontario (1966)
- University of Saskatchewan (1968)
- Laval University (1971)
Dentistry in Hong Kong
The longest record for such ongoing and routine training and qualifying requirement for dental specialties in the world exists in Hong Kong where 5 years of pre-specialty, formal training and supervised practice are prescribed. It is accepted that only after 5 years of such training would the trainees achieve a superior level of professional competence to that attained by their counterparts in the western world.
Dentistry in India
Modern Indian dentists must earn the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (B.D.S.), which requires four years of study and one year of internship. This degree is overseen by the Dental Council of India. In most states, one has to appear for an entrance test conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education, whereas some autonomous universities conduct their own entrance tests.
Dentistry in Pakistan
Pakistan has had a number of dental schools since its partition in 1947, the longest running dental school is in Lahore called de'Montmorency College of Dentistry. At present there are upwards of 20 dental schools (public & private) throughout Pakistan, according to the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council the state regulatory body has upwards of 6200 registered dentists. Dental training in Pakistan begins immediately after High School where admission is based on the grades achived in High School combined with a good acceptable score in the aptiutde test. The four year training culminates in achieveing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which also requires a one year compulsary interneship to be a registered dentist in Pakistan. Postgraduate education is mostly conducted by Semi-Autonomus body called The College of Physcians and Surgeons, Pakistan confering the Fellowship degree FCPS.
Dentistry in Slovak republic
In Slovakia, dentists complete 6 years of undergraduate study to earn a MUDr (lat. Medicinae Universae Doctor) degree. Junior graduates work under a skilled doctor for at least 3 years to receive their license from The Slovak Chamber of Dentists.
Dentistry in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, dentists complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a B.D.S. degree. After graduating most dentists will enter a V.T. (vocational training) scheme, of either 1 or 2 years length, to receive their full National Health Service registration. Dentists must register with the G.D.C. (General Dental Council), and meet their requirements as the governing body of the profession, before being allowed to practice.
Dentistry in the United States
In the United States, dentists earn either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.M.D.(Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. There are 54 Accredited Dental schools in the United States requiring 4 years of post graduate study (except for one unique 3 year program at the University of the Pacific). ( List of U.S. dental schools) The degrees D.D.S. and D.M.D. require equivalent education and are identical in every way.
A dentist may go on for further training in a dental specialty which require an additional 1 to 4 years of post-doctoral training. There are 9 recognized dental specialties. They are Endodontics(root canal treatment), Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics(gums), Prosthodontics(complicated dental reconstruction), Orthodontics(braces), Oral Surgery(tooth removal and oral surgery), and Dental Public Health. There is no specialty in esthetic dentistry and no additional training is required for a dentist to make the claim of being an esthetic dentist.
Many general dentists train in certain aspects of the above specialties such as the placement and restoration of dental implants, advanced prosthodontics and endodontics, and have limited or heavily focused their practices to these areas.
Related dental topics
Cross section of a tooth
- bruxism
- calculus
- ceramics
- crown
- dental amalgam
- dental brace
- dental cavities
- dental extraction
- dental restoration
- floss
- fluoridation
- gingivitis
- halitosis
- dental implants
- laboratory technology
- mouthwash
- Novocain, a local anesthetic
- occlusion
- Patron Saint of dentistry (Saint Apollonia)
- periodontitis
- plaque
- plaque remover
- regenerative dentistry
- teledentistry
- temporomandibular joint disease
- tooth
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- waterpik
- xerostomia
Organizations
- American Dental Association
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American College of Prosthodonists
- British Dental Association [5]
- British Dental Health Foundation
- The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry
External links
- Dental School Admission Guide The Ultimate Dental School Admission Guide for predental students.
- American Dental Association The national organization of dentists in the United States
- Foreign Trained Dentists Admission Guide to US and Canadian Dental Schools The most commprehensive source of information for international dentists who aspire to practice dentistry in North America.
- Academy of General Dentistry Organization promoting continuing education for general practitioners
- GDP-UK mailing list - the best and largest discussion group for UK dentists about their profession.
- Ask Dr Spiller - Dental technical information for the public
- DentalTwins Bulletin Board Forum for exchange of dental information
- AllExperts.com Ask the dental experts
- Dentistry Directory
- Dentistry news and forums
- Everything2 article on history of Dentistry
- Ask the Dentist Free dental advice and common problems
- Dental Phobia Self-Help
- Dental Discussion Forum
- DentalTown - Forum for dental professionals
- Dental phobia message board
- Dentists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics's Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Denticon - Internet Based Dental Practice Management Solution
| Dentistry |
| Recognized Specialties |
| Endodontics - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics - Pediatric Dentistry - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Dental public health |
| Unrecognized Specialties |
| Cosmetic Dentistry - Dental Implantology - Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - Geriatric dentistry |
| Other |
| Forensic Odontology |