Careers >> Dentist

What is a Dentist?

The World Health Organisation defines Dentistry as "the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth".

Dentistry is an ethical profession and practising dentists are expected to place the welfare of their patients before any other consideration.

What does a dentist do?

Primarily a dentist aims to treat oral disorders.

1. A dentist provides preventive treatment such as scaling, cleaning and fluoride therapy.
2. A dentist repairs teeth damaged by decay or trauma, rebuilding tooth structures for functional or cosmetic reasons and providing crowns and bridges.
3. A dentist also treats diseases of the roots, gums and soft tissues of the mouth and carries out various surgical procedures, from routine extractions to far more complex operations on the jaws and soft tissues.
4. X-rays are used to detect abnormalities and plan treatment.
5. Malformation and misalignment of teeth and jaws are corrected by providing 'braces' or other appliances.
6. The need to extract teeth has considerably decreased due to improved knowledge and education and the development of conservative techniques, materials and equipment.
7. A dentist also designs dentures by taking impressions, recording jaw relations, selecting colour and mould of teeth and correctly fitting dental appliances manufactured by dental technicians to dentists' prescriptions.

What are the recognised dental specialities?

The recognised dental specialities are Endodontists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orthodontists, Paediatric dentists, Periodontists, Prosthodontists, Oral Pathologists and Dental Radiologists.

The following list describes the various specialist dentists.

Endodontics

Endodontics is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic clinical sciences, including biology of the normal pulp, and etiology, diagnosis prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular tissues.
An endodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in endodontics and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is that branch and specialty of dentistry which is concerned with and includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of disorders, diseases, injuries and defects, involving the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions and related structures.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in oral & maxillofacial surgery and who currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Oral Medicine and Pathology

Oral Medicine and Pathology is the branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, nature and primarily non-surgical management of oral, maxillofacial and temporomandibular diseases and disorders, including dental management of patients with medical complications. Oral medicine and oral pathology are two applied components of this specialty.
A practitioner in oral medicine is a dental specialist who has successfully completed a formal advanced education program in oral medicine. A practitioner in oral pathology is a dental specialist who has successfully completed a formal advanced education program in oral pathology. A practitioner in oral medicine and pathology is a dental specialist who has completed formal advanced education programs in oral medicine and oral pathology. These practitioners currently hold such specialty designations from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the prescription, production and interpretation of diagnostic images for the diagnosis and management of diseases and disorders of the craniofacial complex.
An oral and maxillofacial radiologist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in oral and maxillofacial radiology and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance and correction of the growing or mature dentofacial structures and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of any abnormalities associated with these structures.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with providing primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health diagnosis, care and consultative expertise for infants and children through adolescence, including those of all ages with special care needs.
A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in pediatric dentistry and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Periodontics

Periodontics is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and aesthetics of these structures and tissues.
A periodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in periodontics and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, restoration and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and health of the patient by the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth and contiguous oral and maxillofacial tissues with artificial substitutes.
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.