Who are dentists? What role do they play in healthcare?
Dentists are highly trained specialists who diagnose, treat, prevent, and maintain an individual's oral health. Most symptoms of healthcare issues first manifest in the mouth, so dentists are often the first healthcare providers to notice and identify various disorders, from hypertension to oral cancer. They address concerns involving the teeth, gingiva, tongue, lips, and jaws.
Dentists are experts in employing new and advanced technologies such as computers, digital radiography, cone beam computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
A dentist is concerned with aesthetics as much as function. Teeth brightening and other cosmetic procedures are as much part of a dentist's job as fillings or sealants.
Dentists and their teams are also responsible for the following:
- Developing treatment regimens to maintain or restore their patients' dental health
- Interpreting X-rays and other diagnostic tests
- Ensuring that anesthetics are administered safely
- Monitoring the progression and development of the jaws and teeth
- Undertaking surgical procedures on the teeth, bone, and soft tissues of the oral cavity
- Looking after oral trauma cases and associated emergencies.
Typically, the dental team at a clinic consists of:
- Dental hygienists: An associate's degree is usually required to practice as a dental hygienist. A hygienist with this degree can take licensure exams (national, state, or regional) and work in a dental office. The responsibilities and role of a dental hygienist may vary by state. They usually examine patients' oral health, perform screening tests, develop dental X-rays, clean plaque from the teeth, apply sealants, and deliver fluoride-based therapies. They may also provide nutritional advice to patients and explain how food affects dental health. After completing their courses, dental hygienists might pursue additional training in education, business administration, fundamental sciences, marketing, and public health.
- Dental assistants: They receive certifications through dental schools, vocational schools, or technical institutes. Usually, these certification courses take about nine to eleven months to complete, after which they can opt for accreditation from the Commission of Dental Accreditation. As per the American Dental Association (ADA), there are about 270 CODA-accredited dental assisting programs in the United States. Dental assistants typically record the patient's medical history during appointments, check their blood pressure and pulse, make them feel at ease after dental procedures, and teach them how to care for themselves after dental surgery.
- Dental laboratory technicians: During their four years of school, they study subjects like math, life, and physical skills. They either receive an associate's degree or certification and can specialize in implants, complete or partial dentures, ceramics, and bridges. They provide their services to dentists by creating appliances to tackle patients' conditions — to repair, restore, and replace broken or damaged teeth.
What educational qualifications must a dentist possess?
Dentists start their journey by attending undergraduate school and earning a bachelor's degree in a related field. Depending on their qualifications and the degree program, they may earn a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.
Dental students study subjects like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, and epidemiology during school. To become a qualified dental professional, one must complete residencies and obtain a license. Aspiring dentists often also undertake additional training in specialized disciplines of dentistry, such as endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The American Dental Association (ADA) also recognizes specific fields of specialization that they may pursue, such as dental anesthesiology, dental public health, oral and maxillofacial pathology and radiology, oral medicine, orofacial pain, dentofacial orthopedics, and prosthodontics.
What are dental checkups, and why are they important?
During a routine dental checkup, the dental team checks the patient's oral cavity (mouth, teeth, and gums) to identify possible health concerns. To check for oral conditions like cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay, dentists use tools like dental X-rays and intra-oral pictures. The dentist may also try to identify other oral issues, such as concerns with supporting bone structures, gum disease, or tartar buildup. They also discuss changes they may notice since the patient's last checkup.
A typical session begins by recording basic health information. This includes a patient's medical history, previous surgeries, diagnostic tests, and medicines they may be taking (including over-the-counter medications or supplements). Personal and family medical history details help the dentist understand whether the patient is at risk of specific dental issues. Afterward, the patient is made to sit in a dental chair, and a dental hygienist places a plastic cover or paper on the chest. The dentist then assesses the mouth and inquires about existing symptoms.
They may also perform a dental cleaning, which removes plaque buildup. In case of deep cavities, a filling may be required. A root canal treatment may be necessary for infection in the roots of a tooth. Depending on the condition, a general dentist may also make a referral to a specialist, such as an endodontist or orthodontist.
While it is essential to visit a dentist near you for issues like toothache, a dental visit is also necessary for oral disease prevention. Routine dental checkups not only help in the early detection of diseases but are also crucial to building a solid relationship with the dental care team so that they can understand health risks and develop treatment plans promptly.
How can you maintain oral hygiene?
Proper oral hygiene is essential, as teeth and gum problems can lead to serious medical concerns affecting other parts of your body. Here are a few tips you can follow to ensure good oral health:
- Brush properly: Following the proper brushing techniques is as vital as picking the right oral hygiene products. Start by lubricating your toothbrush with water. Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the head of your toothbrush, insert the brush into your mouth at a 45-degree angle to your gums, and brush your front teeth using short, gentle strokes. Flip the toothbrush upside down to clean the insides of your top front teeth, and flip it back around to reach the insides of your bottom front teeth. After brushing for about two minutes, spit out the remaining toothpaste, water, and saliva, and finish by rinsing your mouth with cold water.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride is a natural mineral that fights germs that cause tooth decay, provides the teeth with a protective layer, and helps prevent oral concerns like dry mouth and gum disease.
- Clean your tongue: Plaque buildup can cause bad breath and other oral health concerns. Since rinsing your mouth does not help prevent the buildup, gently brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth.
- Floss regularly: Flossing has many benefits, including reducing the risk of cavities, removing plaque, preventing gum disease, and eliminating bad breath. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily and flossing once a day; you can floss your teeth before or after flossing.
How to find the right dentist near you in Pittsburgh, PA?
According to reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 13.2% of children between the ages of 5 and 19 live with untreated dental caries. About 25.9% of adults between 20 and 44 do not visit the dentist to treat oral cavity issues. This can be harmful as not receiving timely medical intervention can worsen diseases, especially for the youngest ones. Therefore, choosing the right dental health professional and going for regular checkups is crucial.
However, finding a suitable practitioner can be a daunting process. But worry not; Zocdoc can help you find the right dentist in seconds. From pediatric dentists to prosthodontists, our website hosts all kinds of specialists. You can read about their education, board certifications, licensure, and current hospital affiliation on the provider profile. Zocdoc's algorithms can automatically list the top-rated dentists near you in your neighborhood once you add the desired location, practitioner, and symptom details. Once you have found the practitioner who meets your requirements, you can book an appointment immediately, choosing between in-person or virtual visits.
You can also use Zocdoc's insurance detector to look for dentists who will accept your insurance. While you can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account, you can only search for and schedule an appointment with one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple plans, you can mention your secondary insurance plan and carrier in your notes for the provider in the last step of the booking process. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can add details about your secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For more insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.
At Zocdoc, our primary mission has always been to improve the healthcare experience of all its users, and dental care is no different. The Zocdoc portal will help you identify specialists who meet your budget and have experience treating your specific dental problem. Here, you can go through hundreds of verified user reviews to locate a dentist near you who is friendly and likable. There are no booking charges. The process is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Dental statistics in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average number of residents per general dentistry practice is about 3,453, higher than the national average of around 3,404. The state also has an average of approximately 7,958 residents per specialty practice, which is lower than the national average of about 8,640. According to an estimate by the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania has nearly 60.2 dentists per 100,000 inhabitants, which is comparable to the national average. A survey by the Pennsylvania Office of Health Equity stated that there were roughly 33% fewer dentists and 24% fewer dental hygienists for every 1,000 rural people compared to urban inhabitants.
While many of Pennsylvania's safety-net clinics provide some oral health prevention, the exact number and breadth of services still need to be discovered, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers and the Free Clinic Association of Pennsylvania. According to the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute, around 25% of insured children had no dental appointment in 2013.
Sources
American Dental Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Pennsylvania Oral Health
Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan
MDA ADA: What do Dentists Do
Verywell Health
Oral Health Foundation
WebMD
American Dental Association[1]
American Dental Association[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
Healthline[4]
Sensodyne
