Who is a dentist?
Dentists are healthcare professionals who can diagnose and treat illnesses and conditions of the teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, and even the neck and head. They help maintain oral health and also provide preventive care. Dentists can often detect illnesses in other body parts if the symptoms are first visible in the mouth. They can ensure timely treatment of such diseases by referring the patient to the right specialist.
Dentists can administer anesthesia, teach patients about dental hygiene, review X-rays and other diagnostics, fill cavities, remove or repair damaged teeth, and clean the teeth by removing plaque and tartar buildup. They can monitor the development and growth of the teeth and jaw bones and perform surgical procedures.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
Aspiring dentists must first graduate in chemistry, biology, health, or math. After this, they must join a dental school where they study and train for four years. Dental schools are on par with medical schools in terms of quality of education. The first two years in dental school are similar to medical school, where students study biomedical sciences in classrooms and laboratories. The following two years involve clinical practice under the guidance of experienced dentists and specialists. Students earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree upon completing dental school.
Many dentists begin to practice after completing dental school. They must clear a stringent state-level licensure examination for this. They can also become board-certified by clearing the National Board Dental Examination. Dentists can also specialize in a particular area of dentistry. For this, they must do a residency that may take one to three years.
What are the specialties dentists can take up?
After dental school, dentists can choose from 12 specialties. Depending on their chosen specialty, they must learn and train for an additional period.
These are the most popular specialties within dentistry:
- Periodontics is the treatment of diseases of the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. This course takes close to 35 months to complete.
- Pediatric dentistry takes about 25 months to complete and involves caring for children's oral health, starting with infants and continuing until they are 21.
- Prosthodontics involves replacing or restoring natural teeth or oral structures with artificial devices. Mastering this specialty takes about 32 months.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics deal with correcting facial and dental irregularities, for which these specialists need to train for around 30 months.
- Endodontists require roughly 26 months of education and training. This specialty focuses on performing root canals and attending to a tooth's dental pulp or softcore.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologists treat teeth, mouth, and surrounding conditions. Dentists need to undergo training for about 37 months in this specialty.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete a 54-month-long training and treat disease and mouth injuries.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists use imaging techniques to diagnose oral disorders and diseases. They utilize X-rays and other forms of imaging, and the course takes about 30 months to complete.
- Oral medicine specialists perform procedures like small excisions, therapeutic injections, and diagnostic biopsies. Since oral medicine is primarily a non-surgical specialty, dentists pursuing it typically manage conditions using systemic and topical medications. They treat and manage various conditions, including orofacial pain, oral complications from cancer treatment, and salivary gland diseases.
- Orofacial pain specialists diagnose and treat conditions that cause pain in the head, face, neck, and jaw. They also focus on identifying what causes the pain and treat diseases like insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome.
- Dental anesthesiologists collaborate with other dentists to oversee pain management during surgery. They work with patients, helping reduce their pain and anxiety through advanced sedation, general anesthesia, and local anesthesia.
Are dentists and endodontists the same?
The short answer is no – dentists and endodontists are not the same. Endodontists are dentists who have studied and trained for an additional two or more years after dental school. Endodontists specialize in tooth pain and root canal treatment.
On the other hand, dentists practice general dentistry and can also do root canals. In contrast, endodontists can handle more complicated cases. While a dentist may do two to three root canals weekly, endodontists average around 25 treatments in the same period.
Endodontists are also known as "tooth savers," as they can treat and save a diseased tooth. A dentist will direct a patient to an endodontist if they feel the patient can benefit from specialized treatment.
Difference between dentists and orthodontists
If you consider your dentist a general practitioner, your orthodontist is a specialist. Your dentist can address the most common dental issues. Dentists can diagnose and treat tooth pain, tooth decay, tooth repair, and tooth extraction. They can handle gum disease, oral inflammation, and oral infections.
However, there are instances where a dentist may refer you to an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a specialized dental professional focusing on the alignment of teeth and jaws. While dentists and orthodontists initially undergo similar education, orthodontists must complete additional training and certification to practice their specialty.
Certified orthodontists diagnose and treat conditions related to the teeth, gums, and mouth, ensuring correct teeth and jaw alignment. Their tasks include:
- Performing teeth straightening surgeries
- Fitting dental appliances such as braces, palatal expanders, orthodontic headgear, or Herbst appliances
- Supervising the growth and development of facial structures (jawline and bite) in children
- Diagnosing/treating misaligned teeth and jaws (malocclusion)
- Developing treatment plans that include the use of braces and retainers
Orthodontists typically start with a pre-dentistry or pre-medical major during their undergraduate studies before attending dental school. After dental school and passing the certification exam, they must complete an orthodontic residency program, which takes an additional 2 to 3 years. They can then enter practice after passing further certification tests as required by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Reasons to visit a dentist near you
Contrary to most people, one should not visit a dentist only when in pain. Visiting a dentist once every six months can help prevent cavities and oral diseases in the first place. If you have had a dental procedure, are pregnant, or have habits such as chewing tobacco or smoking, you must visit the dentist regularly to monitor your oral health. Further, gums, jaws, mouth, or teeth pain is a common reason for seeing a dentist. They can also help if you have any swelling or abnormalities in the mouth, neck, or face.
Similarly, if you have bleeding gums or trouble chewing or swallowing, this could signify that something is wrong with your oral health. Dentists can help by checking for signs of dental decay, gum problems, or mouth cancer. They can also remove tartar and plaque, which cause tooth decay and gum disease.
How can you maintain oral hygiene?
Proper oral hygiene is important, 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. Lubricate your toothbrush with water, put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the head of your toothbrush, 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. It fights germs that cause tooth decay, provides teeth with a protective barrier, and helps prevent oral concerns like dry mouth and gum disease.
- Clean your tongue: Plaque buildup can induce bad breath and lead to other oral health ailments. 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 brushing.
Which food items are harmful to your teeth?
Some foods and drinks can severely affect your teeth and gums, causing oral health problems. Foods that can damage your teeth include the following:
- Sugary foods, sweets, and candy: Pies, cookies, candies, and other delicacies can increase bacteria inside your mouth. The bacteria mixes with sugar molecules to form plaque, which settles on the tooth and gums, resulting in gum disease or tooth decay. Certain sweets like jelly beans, hard candies, lollipops, caramels, and other sticky sweets are worse as they stick to the teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth twice daily and drinking lots of water after eating sweets or sugary foods helps maintain oral hygiene and limit oral diseases.
- Soft drinks: Soft or carbonated drinks contain harmful acids that can destroy your tooth enamel. Dentists recommend avoiding soft drinks altogether to maintain healthy teeth. If you drink soda regularly, consider reducing your soda intake. Clean your mouth and teeth with water after drinking soda to prevent oral problems.
- Pasta sauce: Pasta sauce is processed food and, therefore, very acidic. The acids present in the sauce can break down the teeth' enamel. Meanwhile, the high carbohydrates in pasta can increase the number of bacteria inside the mouth, causing cavities. Therefore, limit your intake of pasta sauce, thoroughly cleanse your mouth, and brush your teeth after a delicious spaghetti dinner.
- Ice: You may think ice is frozen water, but it can considerably damage the gums and teeth. Chewing hard ice may damage the teeth' enamel, or you may even break or chip your tooth, resulting in a dental emergency. Dentists recommend avoiding ice and drinking normal water to keep teeth and gums healthy.
- Citrus juices and fruits: Citrus fruits and juices are essential for a healthy diet. However, excessive citric acid in your mouth can wear out the enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to cavities and bacteria. When drinking citrus juices, use a straw to prevent the acid from reaching the teeth. Clean your mouth and teeth thoroughly with water after eating citrus fruits and juices to avoid acidic leftovers on the teeth.
How to find a dentist near you in Pompano Beach, Florida?
Finding a good dentist can seem challenging. But do not worry – Zocdoc is here to help. If you want to connect with a trusted dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida, register for free on the Zocdoc website.
Once logged in, use your symptoms or preferred date and time to look for a dentist. Type these details in the Zocdoc search box and hit enter. Alternatively, you can filter for potential matches based on location, specialty, gender, and your insurance plan or provider.
Based on your criteria, Zocdoc will provide you with a list of the best dentists in your area. Each dentist's profile lists their education and training, hospital affiliations, certifications, licensure, specialties, accreditations, and awards. You can also check the languages they speak, their gender, and whether or not they treat children. You can do all of this from the convenience of your home!
If you need assistance finding dentists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to help. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, although each appointment can only use one insurance plan at a time.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.
Most importantly, Zocdoc offers verified ratings and reviews from each doctor's genuine patients, helping you make an informed decision. You can also opt for a virtual meeting with your dentist before scheduling an in-person appointment. To do this, look for the purple video icon on your selected dentist's profile.
Our simple booking process lets you choose appointments based on the doctor's availability, schedule, and other requirements. Practitioners may be accessible on weekends or after usual work hours.
On Zocdoc, booking appointments with a dentist near you is easy, safe, and 100% cost-free.
Statistics on dentists and dental visits in Florida
According to America's Health Rankings, approximately 61.2% of the adult population in Florida reported visiting a dentist or a dental clinic in 2022. It was lower than the national average of 66.7%. Further, women (64.8%) were more likely to visit a dentist than men (57.4%). Similarly, those 65 and above (65.3%) were most likely to see a dentist. The percentage was lower in those aged 18 to 44 (58.8%) and those aged 45 to 64 (60.8%).
Moreover, findings from an America's Health Rankings survey also state that as of September 2024, there were approximately 58.1 dentists and advanced dental therapists per 100,000 population in the state. This number was lower than the national average of 65.8 dentists and advanced dental therapists per 100,000 population.
According to the Florida Department of Health’s 2023–2024 Workforce Survey of Dentists, 17,462 dentists applied for license renewal in Florida, and 16,406 (94%) responded to the workforce survey. The report focuses on dentists currently practicing in Florida and provides information on the state’s dental workforce, including demographics, practice characteristics, professional education, productivity, and workforce retention.
Further, according to another 2020 report by the same organization, about 29.7% of the dentists in Texas were over 65 within ten years. About 13.1% of the active dentists in the state were over 65 in 2020.
Sources
WebMD[1]
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American Association of Endodontists
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
American Dental Association
Cleveland Clinic[1]
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Cleveland Clinic[6]
News-Medical.net
Verywell Health
Dental Choice
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Zocdoc
