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Who is a dentist?

Dentists are oral health doctors who can diagnose and treat illnesses and conditions of the teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. They can repair cracked teeth, fill and bond teeth, extract teeth, conduct X-ray scans and interpret findings, and promote oral hygiene and health. Dentists can monitor the development of children's teeth and jaws, perform oral surgery, and whiten teeth. They can also install crowns or veneers and prescribe medication and treatment for oral health conditions.

Many people believe that they need only visit a dentist when they are in pain or if something is wrong with their teeth, which is not the case. You should visit a dentist every six months for preventive care or more often if you have a dental problem. Most dental diseases and conditions, especially cavities, are entirely preventable if you visit a dentist regularly.

What kind of education and training do dentists receive?

Aspiring dentists must first complete their graduation with subjects such as chemistry, biology, and mathematics. After, they must enroll in a dental school where they study and train for four years. Dental schools are on par with medical schools about the standard of education.

Students learn theory in classrooms and laboratories during the first two years of dental school. The following two years involve practical training under the guidance of experts. During this period, students learn to diagnose and treat dental conditions in medical settings such as clinics or hospitals. 

On completing dental school, students earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.) degree. Both these degrees involve the same level of education and training. Dentists must then clear a stringent state-level licensure examination before practicing. They can also become board-certified by taking the National Board dental examination.

What are the different specialties in dentistry?

Some dentists prefer to study and train further by specializing in a specific area of dentistry; this involves an additional one to three years of education in the form of a post-graduation residency.

• Endodontics: Endodontists focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions of the dental pulp, the soft core of teeth. They are experts in performing root canals. Aspiring endodontists study and train for 26 months after dental school. 
• Prosthodontics: Dentists must do a 32-month residency to become prosthodontists. This specialty focuses on restoring natural teeth and replacing missing or oral structures using natural-looking dental imitations such as dentures, bridges, and crowns.
• Pediatric Dentistry: Pedodontics treats dental conditions among children, adolescents, and teens. Dentists must complete a 25-month residency to become pedodontics.
• Periodontics: Periodontics involves diagnosing and treating illnesses of the gum tissue and supporting bone structures. This residency lasts for 35 months. 
• Dental public health: This specialty requires dentists to complete a 15-month residency after dental school. It focuses on preventing dental disease within communities—specialists in this field design programs for oral disease prevention and oral health improvement.
• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: This specialty focuses on realigning the bite – when the upper and lower teeth are not aligned. Specialists in this field offer custom-made appliances such as retainers, braces, and clear aligners to treat this condition. Aspiring orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists must clear a 30-month residency after dental school.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Dentists must complete a 54- to 72-month residency to become oral and maxillofacial surgeons. This specialty focuses on the surgical treatment of injuries and diseases affecting the mouth.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiology uses imaging techniques to diagnose and treat oral disorders and diseases. Specialists in this field can interpret X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, and other dental imaging tests. This specialty requires dentists to complete a 30-month residency after dental school.
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology: These specialists can diagnose complex dental cases due to their understanding of the causes and effects of oral disease. Dentists must complete a 37-month residency to become specialists in this field.

When should one see a dentist?

It would help if you visited a dentist near you for any pain or swelling in the neck, head, or mouth. Dentists can also treat toothache, cavities, bleeding gums, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. You can visit them if you have persistent bad breath (halitosis), bruxism (teeth grinding), headaches, or short and boxy teeth.

Further, dentists can treat chipped or broken teeth, an abscessed tooth, or any sores, bumps, or lumps in the mouth. They can remove tartar and plaque buildup, which threatens to cause gum disease or other illnesses or conditions. 

Dentists can often detect problems in other body parts because the symptoms are usually first visible in the mouth. They can check for signs of mouth cancer, dental decay, and gum problems. They can also advise how to care for your teeth and prevent dental issues.

Those who use tobacco products or are dealing with ongoing dental issues must visit dentists more often to monitor their oral health.

Preparing for your dental visit 

While scheduling an appointment with a  dentist near you, plan enough time off from work or school so you feel less rushed about getting back. Check if your dentist is in-network before scheduling a visit if you have dental insurance to save money. Find out how much you should expect to pay at your appointment in advance if you don't have insurance. Reach early for your session to fill out paperwork and have the staff set you up on time. 

For a routine visit, a dental hygienist will use a plastic or paper cloth to cover your chest. They will use certain tools to scrape off buildup and clean your teeth. Let them know if your jaw or mouth hurts during the cleaning so you can have rest breaks. After this, the hygienist would ask you to rinse before polishing your teeth. You are also likely to get X-rays every year so the dentist can spot issues that are difficult to see or just starting. The dentist will thoroughly examine for problems in your teeth, between them, and in the gums. Afterward, the dentist will discuss whether you require treatment or recommend a follow-up visit. 

If it has been a while since you have seen the dentist or it is your first time, you can expect a few additional steps to your visit. The dentist would take a few X-rays to get a complete look at your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structures. Your hygienist will do a deep cleaning since a longer wait between visits results in hard tartar buildup on the teeth as well as around the gums. If you have sensitive teeth, you can ask for numbing options to lessen the pain. If the dentist finds any problems, remember that you are already a step closer to fixing them.

After the appointment, you can take over-the-counter (O.T.C.) pain relievers if your mouth is sore. You can also call the office if you have any questions or problems like tooth pain between your visits. Let your dentist immediately know if you have emergency problems like broken teeth.

Treatments offered by dentists

Depending on the exam, your dentist will recommend a treatment plan. Some treatment options recommended by a dentist are:

• For cavities: You may need fillings to close cavities before they become more prominent or crowns for more severe decay. This crown or cap is cemented to cover the core of the damaged tooth and keep the root in place. 
• For improving appearance: You can also ask your dentist for options to enhance your smile, such as cosmetic bonding, veneers, and shaping. 
• For gum problems: Your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to clean the sides of the teeth below the gum line and help the gums tighten better. 
• For root infection: You may need a root canal where a specialist like an endodontist would open the tooth, clean the inside, and close it back.
• For missing or damaged teeth: Your dentist will recommend implants and bridges to fill the gap between missing teeth. 

How can one find a good dentist in Gainesville, Georgia?

Finding a good dentist near you can be a time-consuming process. However, Zocdoc can help you easily find one in Gainesville, Georgia. With only a few clicks on Zocdoc, you can schedule an appointment with a reputable dentist.

Enter information about your symptoms or conditions, location, and insurance on the Zocdoc website to generate a list of the best dentists in your region within a few minutes. You can use Zocdoc to identify nearby in-network healthcare providers quickly and effortlessly.

Each healthcare professional listed on Zocdoc has a comprehensive profile to help you make an informed choice. The dentist's profile details their education and training, location, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, response times, and whether they treat children.

To maintain transparency and aid in decision-making, Zocdoc ensures that information on each healthcare provider's medical specialties, awards, certificates, licensure, and accreditations is accessible. You can also determine the suitability of a medical practitioner by checking patient reviews and comments on Zocdoc about their interactions with these dentists.

Zocdoc can help you schedule a dental visit in person or request an online consultation. You can also make an appointment during business hours, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or on the weekend if the dentist is available.

On Zocdoc, booking appointments with a dentist near you is simple, safe, quick, and free!

Statistics on dentists and dental visits in Georgia

As per a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 3,250 general dentists in Georgia in May 2022. Further, according to America’s Health Rankings, there were about 43.5 general dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 population in the state in September 2022. 

In 2020, about 60.7% of the adult population in Georgia reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic within the past year, lower than the national average of 66.7%. Women (63.3%) were more likely to visit a dentist than men (57.9%). Those 65 and above (61.9%) and those aged 45 to 64 (63.2%) were more likely to visit a dentist. The percentage was lower at 58.5% in those aged 18 to 44.

According to data from the Voices for Georgia's Children, poor oral health is one of the top causes of school absenteeism. Untreated tooth decay is 50% more common in children from low-income families compared to higher-income households. Approximately 20.3% of children in Georgia have not had a dental check-up in the last twelve months. 

Sources

Healthline

Maine Dental Association

WebMD[1]

Cleveland Clinic

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

WebMD[2]

Voices for Georgia's Children

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.