Who is a dentist?
Dentists diagnose and treat conditions affecting teeth, mouth, and gums. They are doctors specializing in dental medicine or dentistry. Dentists are qualified to conduct oral surgical procedures effectively. Their primary role involves detailed assessment and evaluation of the oral cavity to provide proper preventive measures and effective treatment.
Unlike other medical professionals who practice solo, dentists usually work with a team of healthcare professionals, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, and lab technicians. Dentists' supervision of their clinical team is crucial to ensuring effective and safe oral care.
Dentists use modern equipment and the latest dental technology, such as X-ray machines, scalpels, brushes, drills, and other medical tools, to perform cutting-edge dental procedures. They wear protective gear, including safety glasses, gloves, and masks, to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria or germs.
What is the role of a dentist?
Apart from treating teeth and gums, dentists also care for the neck, jaw and head muscles, the salivary glands, the nerves in the head and neck region, and the tongue. During a detailed oral examination, the dentist also checks for swelling, lumps, ulcers, and any abnormality or discoloration in the mouth. Under appropriate conditions, they can perform diagnostic tests for infections and chronic diseases, oral cancer screenings, salivary gland functions, and biopsies.
Dentists are equipped with adequate training to spot early warning signs or symptoms in the mouth that may indicate the presence of disease in a different part of the body. They can also identify conditions requiring a specialist referral for optimum patient care. Dentists can also provide preventive oral health services and guide parents and children on the best oral health practices. They can monitor the growth of teeth and jaws, manage oral trauma and other emergency dental cases, and perform surgical procedures on teeth, soft tissues, and bones in the oral cavity. Visiting a dentist near you is advisable if you want continual, comprehensive, and efficient dental care.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
Becoming a dentist involves a rigorous educational and training journey similar to that of a medical doctor. The process typically starts with completing an undergraduate program in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, health, or mathematics, leading to a bachelor of science degree. Following this, aspiring dentists must take the dental admissions test, a prerequisite for applying to dental schools.
The training path for dentists includes the following steps: two years of intensive training in biomedical science studies and two years of practical clinical training. At the end of four years, dentists graduate with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.
All dentists must secure a dental license by successfully passing written and practical examinations.
Dentists may pursue further certification by taking the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their chosen specialty area, they undergo an additional postgraduate residency program lasting one to three years.
What specialties can dentists undertake?
After completing a four-year dental degree, dentists can choose to specialize in various fields, requiring additional training ranging from 15 to 72 months. Here are some of these specialties.
- Pediatric dentistry (25 months) - Focuses on oral health care for infants through adolescence
- Endodontics (26 months) - Specializes in root canal procedures and dental pulp health
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (30 months) - Corrects dental and facial irregularities
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology (30 months) - Expertise in oral imaging for diagnosis and treatment
- Prosthodontics (32 months) - This field focuses on restoring natural teeth and oral structures with artificial devices
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology (37 months) - Deals with diseases of the mouth and surrounding regions
- Dental public health (15 months) - Focuses on preventing dental diseases through community efforts
- Periodontics (35 months) - Specialization in treating gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery (54-72 months)- Focuses on surgically treating oral diseases and injuries
What services does a general dentist offer?
A general dentist offers several treatments designed to preserve, restore, and protect your teeth from further harm. These services aim to keep your teeth strong, prevent infections, and relieve any pain or discomfort:
- Routine checkups and cleanings
Plaque and tartar buildup cause cavities and gum disease, making professional cleanings essential for long-term oral health. During your visit, a general dentist assesses your teeth and gums for early detection of tooth decay or infection. These regular checkups catch dental issues before they worsen, and periodontal maintenance may also be part of your care.
Tooth decay forms small holes that weaken the tooth's structure, and a filling stops the damage from spreading. Your general dentist removes the decayed area and fills it with a strong material like composite resin or amalgam. This restores the tooth's function and keeps bacteria from going deeper.
When decay or infection begins to reach the tooth pulp, it can cause pain and sensitivity. A root canal helps eliminate the infected tissue, clean the insides of the tooth, and finally seal it with a filling. This saves the natural tooth and avoids the need for extraction.
If your gums bleed or feel inflamed, that could suggest gum disease which may lead to tooth loss if ignored. A general dentist performs deep cleanings such as scaling and root planing to clear bacteria beneath the gums. Medications and regular follow-ups help stop the disease from progressing.
Teeth that are too damaged or decayed to save may need to be removed to protect your oral health. Your general dentist performs the extraction with minimal discomfort. Options like implants or bridges can replace the missing tooth to restore function and appearance.
Cracked, weakened, or missing teeth affect how your mouth works and looks, making restorative treatments important. Crowns aim to strengthen and protect damaged teeth. On the other hand, bridges fill the remaining gap created by missing teeth using nearby healthy teeth for support. Both solutions improve your ability to chew, speak, and maintain dental stability.
The significance of children's preventive dental care
Dental cavities are the most common dental condition among children in the U.S. Such oral issues can even result in poor academic performance and school absenteeism. Poor oral health in early childhood can also affect general health during teenage and adulthood and even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular dental appointments can help detect oral issues early and support children in receiving preemptive treatment, stopping the problem from becoming a major health complication.
Children from high-risk populations can significantly benefit from regular and cost-effective preventive dental checkups. These checkups can ensure optimum oral health and help them lead a good quality of life.
Essential tips for preventing childhood cavities
Children often get cavities because their teeth are more challenging to brush. Everyone should practice good oral hygiene, as cavity-causing bacteria can be passed to unborn babies, infants, and children.
Your child could be at risk for cavities if:
- They were born early or with a low birth weight
- Do not go to the dentist frequently
- Have white spots or brown areas on their teeth
Cavities commonly affect children, but proper brushing, flossing, reduced sugar consumption, and regular visits to a dentist near you can prevent them. Dentists recommend starting early on to teach your child good dental health and hygiene with these tips:
- Brushing and flossing: Dental hygiene should begin in infancy. Use a soft child-size toothbrush around the age of 1 or 2. Brush your child's teeth with water at least twice a day. You can also use a small dab of non-fluoride toothpaste, which is safe for your child to swallow. When your child can spit out the toothpaste, switch to fluoride toothpaste, using only a tiny amount. Teach your child to spread it across their teeth, gums, and tongue. Have your doctor or dentist demonstrate the proper brushing technique.
Your kid will most likely need assistance cleaning their teeth until they are 7 or 8. At this age, they can begin using a larger toothbrush. When the bristles appear worn, or your child has been unwell, replace toothbrushes every three to six months.
Children should brush their teeth for two minutes. Flossing is also essential; teach your child to floss at least once daily. You can buy floss with a handle to make it easier. Teach your child to brush their tongue to reduce the bacteria in their mouth. Ensure your child brushes their teeth before bed after all eating and drinking (except water) for the day is done.
- The role of fluoride: Fluoride is crucial for your child's dental health. It reduces cavities in both baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth and strengthens tooth enamel. Most children receive fluoride from drinking water, as many cities add fluoride to tap water. Your child may need an oral fluoride supplement if your water lacks fluoride. Consult your doctor to determine if your child requires this. Once your child starts visiting the dentist, they will receive fluoride varnish or cleaning on their teeth.
- Diet: Children who eat and drink a lot of sugary foods and drinks are prone to developing cavities. Make healthy dietary selections and avoid consuming too much sugar. Limit soda, fruit juice, and sweetened beverages. Restrict sweet snacks and drinks between meals. If your child consumes sugar, ensure they brush their teeth afterward. Avoid letting your baby drink juice at night or during naps, as sugar coats their teeth and gums.
Chewing gum is safe for older kids and can provide benefits such as:
- Strengthening the jaw
- Balancing acid that can cause tooth decay
- Helping produce saliva
- Washing away food particles
- Freshening breath
However, gum with sugar can cause cavities. Limit the amount of sugary gum your child chews, or give them sugar-free gum instead.
Finding the best dentists near you in Union City, California
Maintaining proper dental health and cleanliness is essential to general well-being. But how do you find a qualified and experienced dentist from endless profiles, websites, and directories? The answer is simple—log in to Zocdoc!
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced board-certified dentists in Union City, California. Our website has a detailed list of qualified dentists.
The process is simple. Create a free account on Zocdoc and choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear.
To locate a dentist who takes your insurance, include your insurance details (plan and provider) in the Zocdoc search. You can use it to view in-network doctors who accept your plan. We will scan and show your insurance plan when you search for providers on your phone using the Zocdoc app. You can also upload a photo of your insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental plans). It will assist you in locating precise in-network provider results. For additional insurance-related information and answers, visit the patient help center at Zocdoc.
Zocdoc has partnered with qualified, experienced dentists in Union City, California, who provide comprehensive patient advice and treatment. Each board-certified dentist on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, ratings, and visit reasons. You can also check whether the dentist treats children, the languages they speak, accreditations, awards, experience, and areas of specialization.
After completing an appointment, Zocdoc asks patients to leave a review. Therefore, the best way to find the most trusted dentist in Union City, California, is to read updated patient reviews on Zocdoc. You can narrow or filter the search results by gender if you want female or male dentists.
You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your dentist. Look for a purple video icon on dentists' profiles or filter using the video appointment selection.
Book consultations with dentists near you who accept your insurance plan using Zocdoc in real-time. All appointments on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Dental statistics in California
According to May 2023 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California had about 18,820 practicing dentists, making it the state with the highest employment levels.
According to the data published on America's Health Rankings, in 2022, about 66.2% of Californian adults reported dental clinic visits, slightly higher than the U.S. average of approximately 66.0%. About 69.4% of adults in California in the 65+ age group reported dental clinic or dentist visits, the highest among all age groups and higher than the U.S. average of 67.2%.
The preventive dental care data (two-year estimate) published on America's Health Rankings states that almost 81.8% of children in California in the 1-17 age group reported one or more preventive dental care visits between 2022 and 2023.
The 2022 teeth extraction data published on America's Health Rankings states that about 6.9% of adults (6.5% females and 7.4% males) in California in the 65+ age group reported complete teeth removal due to gum disease or tooth decay. This figure is lower than the U.S. average of about 12.1%.
According to another report by America's Health Rankings, 57.5% of California's population had fluoridated water systems in 2020, lower than the U.S. average of 72.7%.
Sources
Maine Dental Association
WebMD
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
America’s Health Rankings[4]
American Academy of Family Physicians
Pediatric Dental Center
Harris Dental Cape Cod
