Introduction	Course Duration
What Do They Do?	Skills & Knowledge
Specialization	Job & Career Options
Eligibility & Admissions	Remuneration

What Do They Do?

Dentists take the bite out of dental problems by making sure our teeth and gums are healthy, clean, and disease-free. More specifically, they remove decay, fill cavities, examine x-rays, straighten crooked teeth and repair fractured ones. They also do corrective surgery on gums and the supporting bones to treat gum diseases. When necessary, they extract teeth and make models and measurements for the bridges, dentures, and implants that will replace them. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.


In the course of their work, dentists use a variety of intimidating-looking instruments, including x-ray machines, drills, mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes and scalpels. Nonetheless, a visit to the dentist's office today is a far cry from what it was not so very long ago. For one thing, today's dentists emphasize painless dentistry. For another, they strive to be patient-friendly and to promote an atmosphere that makes patients as comfortable as possibly, emotionally as well as physically.


Many dentists are general practitioners, but some handle only one particular specialty, like orthodontics or oral surgery. Other common specialties include pedodontry--treating children, periodontry--treating the gums and bones supporting the teeth, and endodontry--doing root canals.


While few of us can actually say that we look forward to a trip to the dentists office, most of us will admit that we are happy with the results of good dentistry--not only bright smiles but also healthy teeth and gums that will stay that way throughout out lives.


Specific tasks include:

• Designing treatments plans for patients' gums and teeth
   

• Giving anesthetics
   

• Finding and filling cavities
   

• Treating diseased gums
   

• Removing teeth which are beyond treatment
   

• Replacing missing teeth
   

• Fitting and providing prostheses like bridges and dentures
   

• Cleaning teeth
   

• Teaching preventive care
   

• Supervising hygienists and assistants
   

• Running the business of the dental practice