The professional practitioners of dentistry are referred to as dentists. General dentists provide services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health. General dentist will work with you to develop a customized dental hygiene plan that incorporates dental examination, tooth cleaning, possible tooth scaling, X-ray and use of other diagnostic equipment to prevent, uncover or treat problems as early as possible. Your dentist will help prevent decay or disease of the teeth, mouth, gums and tongue. General dentists also use restorative dentistry procedures to repair the effects of tooth decay, trauma, defect or disease in these areas of the mouth.
Ideally, dentistry is preventative. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist regularly – at least once every six months – to ensure proper oral hygiene and functionality. Regular checkups and oral health maintenance prevent the development of serious dental problems that can require costly treatment. If you remain vigilant and visit your dentist regularly, you can enjoy exceptional dental health. The American Dental Association (ADA) is the world’s oldest and largest dental association.
Dentistry Education
To obtain their D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree dentists must complete three or more years of undergraduate education in addition to four years of dental school. To become licensed to practice in their state, they must pass an examination after graduating.
Dentistry Experience and Training
After completing dental school, prospective dentists must pass a two-part written national board examination and a written and practical state or regional board examination. After passing these exams, a dentist is given a license to practice. Dentists are licensed on a state-by-state basis, meaning that a dentist in California is licensed to practice only in that state, although there are occasional exceptions to this rule.
The majority of dental school graduates move immediately into general dentistry practice. Others choose to complete specialized post-graduate training to gain a more advanced education in one or more focused areas of dentistry.