Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a medical practitioner specializing in dental and oral health. They help maintain good dental hygiene, directly impacting an individual's overall well-being. Dentists also play a crucial role in the early detection of specific health conditions that first manifest in the mouth.
A dentist's scope is not limited to gums and teeth; it also includes neck muscles, jaw and head muscles, the nervous system of the neck and head, salivary glands, and the tongue. During a detailed oral examination, in addition to gums and teeth, they look for swellings, lumps, ulcers, and any abnormality or discoloration in the mouth.
Under appropriate conditions, the dentist can perform diagnostic tests for infections and chronic disease, biopsies, oral cancer screening, and salivary gland functions. They are equipped with adequate training to spot early warning signs or symptoms in your mouth that may indicate the presence of disease elsewhere in your body. Plus, they can identify situations or conditions in patients that may require referring them to a dental physician or specialist for optimum care.
Education and training for dentists
To become a dentist, one must undergo the following:
- Complete an undergraduate program in biology, chemistry, health, or a related subject.
- Pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a computer-based multiple-choice exam.
- Join a dental school, where they spend two years on biomedical coursework and two years on supervised clinical practice.
- Graduate with a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DDM (Doctor of Dental Medicine).
- Clear written and practical exams to earn a dental license.
If an aspirant wants to pursue a specialization, they must enroll in a postgraduate residency program. Based on the specialty, the residency takes 1-3 years to complete. Next, they must be certified by clearing the National Board Dental Examination.
What are the different specialties dentists can pursue?
Apart from general dentistry, the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and Certifying Boards recognizes 12 dental specialties. They are as follows:
- Endodontics: Endodontists focus on treating and preventing diseases affecting the dental pulp (connective tissue inside the teeth). Their objective is to preserve natural teeth and prevent the need for implants.
- Orthodontics: Orthodontists specialize in treating tooth and jaw-related problems, like poor tooth positioning and spacing.
- Periodontics: Periodontists focus on diseases of the gums and bone tissues that support the teeth. Their treatment method involves surgical and non-surgical techniques.
- Prosthodontics: These experts replace missing or damaged natural teeth with bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
- Oral medicine: These specialists diagnose and manage oral disorders in medically complex patients.
- Orofacial pain: Orofacial pain specialists treat and manage pain in the head and neck.
- Pediatric dentistry: Treat and diagnose dental problems in infants, children, and adolescents.
- Dental anesthesia: Dental anesthesiologists help with pain management during dental surgeries. They also focus on reducing the patient's fear and anxiety by using advanced sedation and local and general anesthesia.
- Dental public health: Dental public health specialists promote dental health through community-based interventions and applied research.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Dentists with this specialization treat hard and soft tissue-related conditions affecting the face, mouth, and jaw. They perform wisdom tooth extractions, cleft lip and palate surgeries, and corrective surgeries for facial injuries.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Experts in this branch specialize in diagnosing oral diseases and researching their causes and effects.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Dentists specializing in this field train in radiation physics, biology, and hygiene. They take and interpret digital images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans. They use these imaging techniques to diagnose and treat oral conditions.
What does a dentist do?
Unlike other branches of healthcare, dentistry requires a team approach to ensure the continuity of comprehensive, convenient, efficient, and cost-effective care to patients. Dentists lead a team that includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and lab technicians. These specialists in harmony can help:
- Diagnose oral and dental problems.
- Consult on how to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Interpret diagnostic tests and X-rays of the oral cavity.
- Create a treatment plan to restore or maintain optimum oral health.
- Ensure the safe administration of anesthetics.
- Perform surgical procedures on teeth, soft tissue, and bone in the oral cavity.
- Monitor the growth and development of teeth and the jaw.
- Manage oral trauma and other cases of emergency.
Dentists use modern equipment and the latest technologies, such as lasers, X-ray machines, brushes, scalpels, drills, and other medical tools, to diagnose, treat, and perform dental procedures on teeth, mouth, and gums. They also wear protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, to prevent the spread of bacteria or germs.
Why should you see the dentist near you?
Good dental health and hygiene are imperative to optimal overall health and well-being. Therefore, you should visit one of the best dentists near you for a dental checkup after every six months. It helps keep your teeth in good shape, detects any underlying issues early, and gets proactive treatment. Other than that, here is why you must see the dentist periodically:
- Preventive care: It is vital and economical compared to last-minute emergency room treatment for dental issues. The dentist will first ask for your medical history. Then, they will conduct a detailed oral examination to check for signs of gum problems, dental decay, or mouth cancer. A periodic check on these oral issues helps detect them early in their stages and prevents severe complications.
- The dental hygienist cleans the teeth to remove tartar and plaque buildup, which causes gum disease and tooth decay. Together, the hygienist and the dentist can give you vital tips on the best dental hygiene practices at home to maintain teeth in good health.
- Dental discomfort or pain: Discomfort in the teeth, jaws, gums, or mouth requires immediate dentist assistance. Swelling or pain in the face, mouth, or neck can be symptoms of an underlying issue. Similarly, suppose you experience bleeding from the gums or have trouble swallowing or chewing. In that case, it's best to get a diagnosis of the cause and seek proper medical advice and treatment.
- Health and maintenance: If you have undergone a dental procedure, ensuring that the positive outcomes last for a prolonged period is crucial. The dentist can guide you on the best habits and practices to improve the longevity of the implants, fillings, or any other dental treatment procedures.
The dentist can help you manage any dental issues arising from your ongoing medical problems or treatment to ensure your teeth stay in the best shape.
Common procedures performed by dentists
Visiting a dentist near you can seem daunting, but understanding common procedures can help ease any anxiety. Dentists prioritize patient comfort and use advanced techniques to minimize discomfort. Here are some common procedures performed by dentists:
- Professional teeth cleaning - Routine dental cleanings are among the most common reasons for visiting a dentist. While some dentists advise scheduling a cleaning every six months, others recommend annual visits. Either way, professional cleanings are essential for maintaining oral health. Despite regular brushing, at-home dental care cannot match the efficiency of professional tools used during cleaning. These visits help keep teeth strong, bright, and free from plaque buildup. The procedure is typically painless, making it a stress-free part of preventive care.
- Teeth whitening - Whitening treatments are another popular dental service. While some people experience mild sensitivity to whitening agents, the procedure is generally painless. Professional whitening is quick and more effective than over-the-counter whitening kits, which require consistent effort and time. Dentists often use a hydrogen peroxide-based gel and specialized light to accelerate the whitening process. Since it is performed by a professional, the treatment is safer and delivers more noticeable results than at-home methods.
- Tooth extractions - Having a tooth removed can be intimidating, but extractions are sometimes necessary to prevent further dental issues. A dentist will ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible, whether due to severe decay, crowding, or impacted wisdom teeth. Patients are usually given local anesthesia or sedation, meaning there is no pain during the extraction. Some soreness afterward is normal, but extractions are performed to alleviate pain and improve oral health in the long run.
- Dental bonding—For minor chips, cracks, or gaps, bonding is an efficient and noninvasive cosmetic solution. The procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected area, which is then hardened using a special light. Layering and shaping the resin ensures a natural look that blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth. While the process can take some time, it is painless and provides a simple way to restore a damaged tooth’s appearance.
- Dentures are custom-made prosthetics built to replace missing teeth. Although commonly associated with older adults, dentures can benefit individuals of any age who have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or other dental conditions. Fitting dentures requires multiple visits to ensure a comfortable and natural fit. Once adjusted, they improve the ability to eat and speak while enhancing overall facial structure.
Tips for enjoying lifelong oral health
Achieving healthy teeth and mouth is easy! You only need to follow specific rules and stay consistent with your efforts. Here's everything you need to know about enjoying lifelong oral health:
Oral hygiene tips
- Brush your teeth using a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily—after waking up and before bed.
- Use the proper brushing technique, which is going around your teeth' outside and inside surfaces in circular motions with your toothbrush using a gentle force for at least two minutes.
- Floss daily to remove all food particles stuck in between your teeth.
- Clean your tongue using a tongue scraper. You can even gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush.
- Rinse your mouth with a dentist-recommended mouthwash daily or as directed by them.
Lifestyle and diet changes
- Quit all forms of tobacco products, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Reduce your alcohol intake or quit it altogether if possible.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Eat foods that are good for your teeth, including crunchy, fibrous fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich foods like milk and plain yogurt, dark green leafy vegetables, and protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, and fish.
- Limit your intake of desserts, carbonated drinks, tea, and coffee.
Preventative care
- Visit your dentist for dental cleanings and oral examinations at least twice a year.
- See your dentist immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms such as toothache, bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, or mouth sores. Delaying the appointment can complicate the issue.
- If you are diagnosed with diabetes, take measures to keep it under control. This way, you can prevent your risk of gum disease and other oral conditions.
Finding the best dentist near you in Dumont, New Jersey
A dentist can provide preventive oral health services, guide parents and children on optimum oral health practices, and treat and diagnose dental issues early. Hence, it is necessary to find the right specialist for your case.
With Zocdoc, finding the best and most experienced dentists in Dumont, New Jersey, is simple and easy. The website contains an endless list of qualified dentists with detailed profiles. First, create a free Zocdoc account. Next, choose the specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list based on your search criteria will appear. You can even use the Zocdoc insurance detector to check your insurance plan.
What happens if you do not have insurance or do not wish to use it to book your appointment? You can continue your search for dentists near you by choosing the option 'I'm paying for myself' in the insurance section in the search bar. You will still find plenty of providers allowing appointment bookings without insurance information. Do you have any more insurance-related queries? Check out our insurance FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Each dentist profile on Zocdoc includes a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and, more importantly, patient reviews. This way, you learn everything about a particular dentist on a single platform. You can filter the results by gender, language, hospital affiliations, pediatric care, etc. You can also book a video appointment on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your dentist. Look for a purple video icon for dentists' profiles, or filter the video appointment selection to identify the best dentists near you offering video consultations.
All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and free!
Dentist and dental visit statistics in New Jersey
According to the 2023 data published by America's Health Rankings, New Jersey had around 74.1 dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 population—higher than the national average of about 64.6.
The 2022 dental visit report published by America's Health Rankings shows that about 68.3% of adults in New Jersey visited the dental clinic or dentist in the past year, higher than the national average of approximately 66.0%. Additionally, more people in New Jersey—roughly 72.3% of individuals ages 45–64 reported going to the dentist the previous year, compared to the 65.6% national average. Around 10.6% of adults in the 65+ age group reported removing all their teeth due to gum disease or decay.
Sources
WebMD
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
Healthline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MouthHealthy
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Crescent Heights Dental Clinic
