A dentist is a professional who maintains your oral health by diagnosing, treating and preventing disease or conditions in the mouth. They also restore teeth and make them healthy, functional and aesthetically pleasing. Dentists are specialized and must have the proper education to perform procedures like cleaning, fillings and crowns. They are also experts at identifying other diseases or conditions that may be a result of your oral health.
Dentists can work in one of nine different dental specialties. Each specialization has its own focus on a specific part of the body, or group of parts of the body, or on an entire type of treatment. For example, endodontics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the nerve tissue inside of a tooth. Periodontics focuses on gum disease and prosthodontics deals with the restoration of missing teeth. The dentistry profession is very scientific, with advancements in genetics and research showing a link between your oral health and your overall health.
Becoming a dentist is a long and challenging process that involves rigorous studies, extensive clinical experience and a significant investment of time and money. Whether or not the career is right for you, it’s important to consider your motivations and whether the rewards outweigh the costs.
Considering the intense nature of the training, and the heavy debt that graduates carry (in 2022, average student loan balance for dental school was $293,900), it is important to be sure that you truly want to be a dentist before you begin your journey. You can get a sense for the demands of the profession by completing a pre-dental program in college or high school. These programs will allow you to test your passion, meet upper-class pre-dental students and network with other healthcare professionals.
Dental schools are highly regulated to ensure that dentists have the necessary education to provide quality care. Depending on your desired specialty, you may spend 1-2 years studying biochemistry, physiology, anatomy and pharmacology and then 3-4 years in clinics where you will directly provide dental care to patients. You will also learn about the latest technology and techniques in the field.
When choosing a dentist, it’s important to consider how easy it will be for you to visit them for your regular visits. This includes office hours, location, and services offered. You will want to be able to schedule appointments at times that fit your schedule and find out if they have amenities like sedation or noise-canceling headphones for nervous patients. You will also want to find out if they take your insurance and offer financial options for patients with higher out-of-pocket costs.
It is a good idea to ask friends and family for recommendations. Hearing firsthand experiences from those you trust can be a game-changer and give you insight into the quality of a practice’s service, professionalism and clinic environment. Be sure to check out online reviews as well. These can give you a candid look at what other patients are saying about their experience with a specific dentist.