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This article is about the dental profession. For tooth care, see oral hygiene. Dentistry is the art and science of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, diseases, and disorders of the oral cavity, the maxillofacial region, and its associated structures as it relates to human beings. A dentist is a doctor qualified to practice dentistry. In most countries, several years of training in a university (usually 4-8) and some practical experience working with actual patients' dentition are required to become a qualified dentist. The patron saint of dentists is Saint Apollonia, martyred in Alexandria by having all her teeth violently extracted. The first dental school opened in Baltimore Maryland. The first dental school to affiliate with a university became part of Harvard. General Dentistry (Aesthetic or Cosmetic Dentistry) General Dental Practice includes most examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment, and prevention of disease. The dentist and with the aide of other dental auxiliaries frequently uses X-rays and other equipment to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment planning. Treatment may include filling cavities, removing the nerves of teeth (R.C.T or Root Canal Treatment), treating diseases of the gums, removing teeth (Extraction), and replacing lost teeth with bridges and dentures (Dental Plates). Anesthesia is often used in any treatment that might cause pain. Teeth may be filled with Gold, Silver, Amalgam, or Cements, and with fused Porcelain Inlays. Dentists treat diseases of the mouth and gums such as trench mouth and Periodontitis. An important part of general dental practice is preventive dentistry. If a dentist examines a patient's teeth at regular intervals, a disease may be detected and treated before it becomes serious. Dentists also demonstrate proper methods of brushing and flossing the teeth. They may advise their patients about what food to eat or to avoid for good dental health. Dentists may also treat teeth with Fluorides or other substances to prevent decay. Specialties In addition to general dentistry, there are nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association and require 2-6 years of residency training after dental school. The specialties are: 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, temporo-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 geriodontics 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. Veterinary dentistry, a specialty of veterinary medicine, is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals **. History
Dentistry throughout the world Dentistry in Australia In Australia, graduating dentists earn either a BDSc (Bachelor of Dental Science), B.D.S (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or BDent (Bachelor of Dentistry) degree. There are six (6) Dental schools in Australia run by universities; The School of Dental Science at the University of Melbourne is the oldest dental school * in Australia. 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)); however, some provinces provide for free dental care for children and the elderly. 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. However, the University of Toronto still has the largest dental school in Canada that features the most postgraduate research opportunities as well as certifications for all the dental specialties. Dental care is not covered by the Canadian health care system, as it is in many other countries with public healthcare. Canadian dental schools Dentistry in Chile Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Concepción,Universidad de Valparaíso , Universidad de Talca, Universidad de Antofagasta, among others provides the profession in Chile. The first dental school was the one of the Universidad de Concepcion in the year 1919. Dentistry in Hong Kong To become a dentist in Hong Kong, one must complete the 5-year B.D.S. course in The University of Hong Kong. Students learn basic health sciences, dental sciences under the Problem Based Learning policy. Besides, 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. Graduates can enter general practice or pursue a specialist M.D.S. degree after gaining one year of working experience. Before the dental school was established in the University of Hong Kong(in 1980), most of the practicing dentists obtained their dental degree from the Philippines. 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.Post graduate courses (Master of Dental Surgery. MDS) are also available in different specialities.It requires 3 years of study after BDS. The Specialisation(MDS) is available in the following specialities - Orthodontics,Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Conservative and endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral Pathology, Oral medicine and Radiology, Community Dentistry. Although many institutions are offering other short or long courses in Dental Implantology and Esthetic Dentistry, These are yet to be regularised by the Council. Besides Certificate courses are also offered in Dental Mechanics and Dental Hygiene. These are two year certificate courses. Dental Mechanics offers knowledge about Prosthodontic appliances to be fabricated in a dental laboratory while a Dental Hygienist deals with clinical part,viz scaling, polishing, et.al.Dental Council of India. The First Dental College of India was established in Calcutta presently Kolkata in the year 1924.It was then called Kolkata Dental College and Hospital and was constructed single handedly by Dr.Rafiuddin Ahmed without any Govt. aid.Incidentally it was the first Dental College to be established in Asia. After his death on 9 February 1965 the college was renamed after him.After that many Other Dental Colleges have come up in India. Dentistry in Iran In Iran dentists require six years of post secondary education. The whole program is one single degree of D.D.S. After this, those wishing to specialize in a particular field may pursue higher education. Upon graduation, a dentist may need to fulfill a two year military requirement (as a dentist in uniform) in order to start his/her private practice. Dentistry in Italy In Italy dentists complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a degree. Nevertheless it is possible to agree on certain basic clinical competences common to all member states of the European Union. The following is an example of one such clinical competency (excision of a buried tooth root): If a clinician is deemed to be clinically competent in the surgical removal of a buried root, this implies much more than the technical and surgical ability required to excise a buried piece of root from alveolus. It embraces a broad range of preclinical and clinical knowledge and understanding on which surgical treatment is based. Dentistry in Malta The first course leading to a degree in Dental Surgery, at the University of Malta, commenced in 1933. The qualification was recognized by the Medical Council of the United Kingdom in 1936. Dental Surgery was established as a separate Faculty in 1954, previous to which the course was under the direction of a Board of Studies within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. The Faculty caters for an undergraduate intake of 8 students annually. A B.Ch.D Degree is awarded at the completion of the 5 year course. Dentistry in Norway The 5-year dental education is offered at three universities: All dentists in Norway are organized through "Tannlegeforeningen". Dental services are free only for the children. Dentistry in Pakistan 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. The four year training culminates in achieveing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which also requires a one year compulsory internship to be a registered dentist in Pakistan. Dentistry in the Philippines Most Filipino Dentists must earn a total of 6 years of dental school (2 years preparatory; 4 years proper) to obtain the degree Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). Presently, the country has a total of 17 dental schools, in which the board licensing is administered and regulated by the Board of Dentistry of the Professional Regulation Commission. Centro Escolar University is noted to have the largest enrolment of Dentistry students every year in the country. Dentistry in Slovakia 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 Sweden The 5-year dental education is offered at four universities: Most dentists in Sweden are organized through "Tandläkarförbundet" which also issues the scientific 'Swedish Dental Journal': http://www.tandlakarforbundet.se/swe/default.asp. Dental care is provided at public and private dental offices. Dental services are free for everyone up to 20 years of age. From the age of 20 and upwards there is a fixed state refund which usually is, depending on the dentist's fee and what type of dentistry performed, around 10 % - 15 % of the total cost. For more expensive dental work above the age of 65 the patients only pay 7800 SEK (~ $1,000) plus the cost of the dental material that was used. The English title given to dental graduates in Sweden is D.D.S (University Degree in Dental Surgery). All dentists in the European Union/EES are elegible to work in Sweden. Dentists with an exam outside EES are required to take a one year course at Karolinska in Stockholm. Dentistry in Taiwan After graduating from high school, students are required to take a 6 year dental program to get their D.M.D. degree. The first dental school in Taiwan belonged to the College of Medicine at National Taiwan University. There are currently 7 dental schools in Taiwan: Dentistry in the United Kingdom
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 is no difference in the training for either degree. The degrees are equivalent, and recognized equally by all state boards of dentistry. There are 56 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)*. Most applicants to dental school have attained at least a B.S. or B.A. degree, however, a small percentage are admitted after only fulfilling specific prerequisite courses. So unlike many other countries, it can take more than 8 years to become a dentist. (List of dental schools in the United States) The difference relates to the history involved in the division of medicine and surgery in medical practice. There has been a recent movement to include a 5th year of education that focuses on purely practical training in the clinical setting. In at least one state, a state dental license can be received without taking the licensing exam (State Board Exam) upon completing this additional year of training. Licensure is organized on three levels in most areas. All dentists must pass National Boards, Regional Boards, and then take a jurisprudence exam in their state to fullfill their requirements to get a state license. Although a state license is only valid in the issuing state, because of the regional boards a dentist may be able to apply for licensure in any other state within the jurisdiction of their regional board. There are many cooperative agreements between states that allow recognition of another state's license so as to procure a license either via "licensure by credentials" or "licensure by reciprocity." Most dentists and organizations support the elimination of regional boards because they are redundant. Additionally, the concept that the National Boards should allow the dentist to pursue practice anywhere within the continental United States is widely supported, with each specific state having the right to grant licensure. This concept is similar to that used for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in the united states. Although a national licensure exam has yet to be made, the American Dental Association (ADA) has worked with education and examining groups to form such an exam.* A dentist may go on for further training in a dental specialty which require an additional 1 to 7 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 (moving teeth), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (tooth removal and surgery of the oral and related structures), and Dental Public Health. There is no specialty in esthetic dentistry or implantology, and no additional training is required for a dentist to make the claim of being an esthetic or cosmetic dentist. Dentists are forbidden to claim that they are specialists in areas of practice in which there is no recognized specialty. They may limit their practices to a single area of dentistry, and claim that their practice is limited to that area. Any general dentist may perform those procedures designated within the enumerated specialties if they deem themselves competent. 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. When a general dentist performs any procedure that falls within the realm of a specialty, they are expected to perform with the same level of expertise as a certified specialist and are legally held to such standards with respect to any issues of malpractice. Related dental topics
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