Who is a dentist?
Dentists are healthcare providers specializing in oral health. They prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and conditions affecting the teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. Regularly visiting a dentist can prevent most oral illnesses and conditions.
Dentists can oversee the growth and development of the teeth and jaws, fill cavities, whiten teeth, repair cracked teeth, install crowns and veneers, and apply fillings and sealants. Further, they can perform oral surgery, extract teeth, treat gum disease, prescribe medications, and promote oral hygiene and health. They can also conduct and interpret X-rays and other diagnostic tests. They use equipment such as lasers, small mirrors, scalpels, drills, and brushes when performing dental procedures. They wear safety glasses, masks, and gloves during these procedures to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of bacteria and germs.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
A dentist's education and training are similar to those of any other doctor. However, unlike physicians, dentists do not enroll in medical school. Instead, they complete their studies and training in dental school. To enroll in an accredited dental school, they must complete their undergraduate degree in science subjects such as health, mathematics, biology, and chemistry. Dental schools are at par with medical schools when it comes to the level of education.
Dental students study and train for four years. During the initial two years, they learn biomedical sciences in classrooms and laboratories. After theoretical education, the next two years involve practical training, where they learn to diagnose and treat oral conditions under the guidance of expert doctors and specialists. They do this in medical settings such as clinics and hospitals.
After clearing dental school, students earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After graduation, dentists must clear stringent state-level written and practical examinations to obtain a practice license. Dentists can also get board-certified by clearing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE).
Some dentists prefer to specialize further in a particular area of dentistry. For this, they must undergo additional training by completing a postgraduate residency, which lasts one to three years, depending on the location of specialization.
What are the various dental specialties?
Some of the dental specialties that dentists take up after clearing dental school include:
- Periodontics involves diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions affecting the tissue around the teeth and the bone supporting the teeth. Dental specialists in this field are called periodontists. They can treat issues such as gum disease. Periodontists must clear a residency lasting 35 months after dental school.
- Pediatric dentistry involves diagnosing and treating oral illnesses and conditions affecting children, from infants to teens. A pediatric dentistry or pedodontics residency consists of studying and training for 25 months after dental school.
- Endodontics involves treating the dental pulp and soft core of teeth. Specialists in this field are called endodontists. They specialize in performing root canals, among other procedures. Although dentists can perform root canals, they typically refer complex cases to endodontists. This specialty requires completing a 26-month residency after dental school.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics focus on correcting dental and facial irregularities. Dentists must complete a 30-month residency to become orthodontists or dentofacial orthopedists.
- Prosthodontics specializes in replacing and restoring missing teeth or oral structures. Specialists in this field are called prosthodontists. They create natural-looking dental restorations such as dentures, bridges, and crowns. After dental school, prosthodontists must study and train for 32 months to complete their residency.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats defects, diseases, and injuries of the jaw and other orofacial structures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons carry out procedures like extracting wisdom teeth. Dentists must study and train for 37 months after dental school to complete this residency.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology studies the causes and effects of oral diseases. These specialists are experts in providing diagnoses for complex cases. Dentists typically refer patients to these specialists when the issue is advanced and complicated. To complete this residency, dentists must study and train for 37 months after dental school.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology specializes in dental X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and other forms of imaging. This residency lasts for 30 months.
- Dental public health aims to enhance oral health in communities. Specialists in this field are called public health dentists. They design special programs geared toward preventing dental conditions and diseases. Dentists must complete a 15-month residency after dental school to specialize in dental public health.
When should you see a dentist near you?
You should see a dentist whenever you experience new or concerning symptoms. If you experience any of the following conditions, it is advisable to book a dental appointment:
- Toothache: A toothache refers to pain in or around your tooth. Minor toothaches may result from temporary gum irritation, which you can address at home. However, cavities, infections, or other dental issues typically cause more severe toothaches that necessitate professional dental treatment.
- Abscessed tooth: Bacteria infect your gum tissue, resulting in pus, which forms a tooth abscess. It often resembles a swollen, red bump, boil, or pimple. An abscess affects the affected tooth and can spread to surrounding bone and neighboring teeth.
- Teeth sensitivity typically happens when the underlying layer of your teeth, called dentin, gets exposed. It can occur due to erosion, caused by wear and tear, or gum recession, when your gum tissue pulls away, revealing the roots of your teeth.
- Headaches: A headache is a painful feeling in your head or face, frequently characterized by throbbing, a constant ache, sharpness, or dullness. Headaches can vary in pain type, severity, location, and frequency.
- Bruxism (teeth grinding): Teeth grinding or clenching is not usually harmful. However, you find yourself regularly grinding your teeth. You could experience a condition known as bruxism, which has the potential to harm your jaw muscles, teeth, and the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) responsible for your ability to open and close your mouth.
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis): Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath. While everyone may experience bad breath occasionally, especially after consuming foods containing garlic or onions, persistent bad breath may indicate an underlying oral health issue or a condition affecting other body parts.
Additionally, it's essential to maintain regular visits to your dentist for exams and cleanings. These appointments help your dentist identify and address issues before they worsen, saving you time, worry, and money in the long term.
What should you expect during the first routine dental visit?
If you have booked an appointment with a dentist near you for your first checkup, you've taken the right step in caring for your oral health and well-being. Go through the step-by-step dental visit guide below and make the most of your time with the dentist:
- Paperwork and documents: When you arrive at the dental office, the staff will collect and verify your documents, including your photo ID, insurance card, and doctor's referral letters, if applicable. They will also help you complete the new patient forms.
- Dental symptoms: The staff will direct you to the dentist's room after the mandatory formalities. The dentist will begin by discussing your oral health. At this point, you must openly share concerns such as toothaches, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, or stained teeth.
- Medical history and habits: During your first visit, the dentist will also ask about your other health conditions, medications, lifestyle, nutrition, and oral hygiene practices. It will help them understand any underlying causes of your dental issues.
- Dental exam and X-rays: The dentist will check your teeth, gums, tongue, jaws, and other parts of your mouth and face for signs of oral problems. They will also take dental X-rays to inspect any internal issues that are not visible to the naked eye.
- Treatment plan and follow-up: Once the dentist completes the assessment, they will discuss the findings with you and suggest an individualized treatment plan. You can also address your queries and expect tailored answers. Finally, before leaving, the staff will help you schedule follow-up appointments and complete the payment.
Ways to maintain your child's dental health
Poor dental health can severely impact a child's learning abilities and overall performance at school. Decayed teeth can lead to infection and acute pain if left untreated for long periods. Furthermore, oral health issues at a young age may lead to difficulties in eating or chewing and embarrassment from discolored and damaged teeth.
Oral disease in young kids may also lead to early tooth loss, which can result in impaired speech development and reduce a child's self-esteem. It may also cause a child's appetite to decrease, which can result in nutritional deficiencies, thereby negatively impacting a child's behavior, cognitive development, and ability to perform complex tasks.
Here are some ways parents, caregivers, and guardians can improve their child's dental hygiene at home:
- If your child is starting a sport at school or is training to be an athlete, they must wear a soft plastic mouth guard. This will protect their teeth, lips, and cheeks from injuries. You may also ask your child's dentist to design a custom-fitted mouthguard that will protect your child from severe face and head injuries.
- Thumbsucking and using a pacifier is normal unless they go on for an extended period. If your child is past the age of three and is still sucking on thumbs or fingers, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance to stop this habit, as it could affect the child's permanent teeth as they grow.
- For babies under one, avoid sugary drinks or honey. It is best to feed them breastmilk or formula.
- Limiting servings of sugary foods will help protect your children's teeth from decay in the future.
- All toddlers and older kids must try to eat a balanced diet that includes servings of bread or cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk or other dairy products, and meat or eggs.
- A child may start learning to brush their teeth at the age of 2. By age 10, they should be able to do it all independently without a parent's guidance unless necessary.
- Parents may start using fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children younger than 3 years old. For children three and older, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is appropriate.
- Engage your kids in multiple fun activities to make brushing their teeth and flossing fun. Help them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste color, flavor, and style, and reward them with things that motivate them, like participating in their favorite activities or playtime. You may also play upbeat music they like to engage them and help them look forward to brushing their teeth every day.
- Your child should also have access to fluoridated water.
- For infants or babies, parents can wipe their gums with a soft cleaning cloth twice a day after feeding and just before going to bed to wipe away sugars and bacteria that can cause cavities.
How can one find a good dentist near you in Walnut Creek, CA?
Choosing the best dentist in your neighborhood and making an appointment as soon as possible could take time and effort. However, with the assistance of Zocdoc, you can easily choose a trustworthy dentist from the comfort of your home on the Zocdoc platform, and you can quickly book appointments with the best doctors in Walnut Creek, California.
To find a dentist who meets your requirements, enter your condition or symptoms, location, and preferred appointment date and time. Zocdoc will display a comprehensive list of dentists based on your search criteria. You can refine your search results by preferred language, gender, hospital affiliation, and whether or not the dentist sees children. Use the insurance detector to identify the best fit to determine your policy's coverage.
Now, if you're wondering, "What if I don't have a dental health plan?" or "What if I do not want to disclose my insurance details to my dentist?" Zocdoc has a solution for that as well. You have the option of acknowledging that you will be paying out-of-pocket. Select "I'm paying for myself" from the drop-down menu and continue your search. You will receive an exhaustive list of providers accepting patients without asking for insurance information. If you have any associated questions, please check out the FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Each dentist has a detailed profile on Zocdoc that includes information about their education and training, awards, areas of expertise, accreditations, location of offices, and — most importantly — verified reviews and ratings by past patients. When selecting a dentist, you can rely on these ratings and reviews to make an educated decision.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule face-to-face and online appointments with a dentist near you. If you prefer an online consultation, look for a purple icon on the dentist's profile, as these dentists allow them. Depending on the dentist's availability, you can schedule an appointment during business hours, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or on the weekends.
On Zocdoc, scheduling an appointment is simple, safe, and cost-free.
Statistics on dentists and dental visits in California
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 14,760 general dentists, 930 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and 670 orthodontists in California in May 2024. Further, according to America's Health Rankings, there were roughly 83.8 general dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 population in the state in September 2024. This figure was higher than the national average of 65.8.
In 2022, about 66.2% of California's adult residents visited a dentist or dental clinic in the past year. This number was slightly higher than the national average of roughly 66%. Women (69.2%) were more likely to visit a dentist than men (63.2%). Those aged 65 and above (69.4%) were more likely to see a dentist than other age groups. The percentage was lower in those aged 18 to 44 (63.9%) and those aged 45 to 64 (67.7%).
Sources
Healthline
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Imagine Dental
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]
America’s Health Rankings[5]
America’s Health Rankings[6]
MouthHealthy
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
