what are general dentists and dental assistants?

General dentists

General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages, this dentist diagnoses, treat and manages for your overall oral health care need.

What does the dentist do?

Your general dentist takes responsibility for the overall coordination of services to meet your oral health needs including gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and preventive education to develop a customized dental hygiene plan that incorporates dental examination, teeth cleaning, possible tooth scaling, X-ray, and use of the other diagnostic equipment to prevent, uncover, or treat problems as early as possible.

Yet these procedures, while common, are hardly the only services your general dentist provides. Many general dentists are highly educated and trained on all dental procedures, instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry.

Definition of dentistry:

Dentistry, also known as Dental Medicine or Oral Medicine, is a branch of medicine that consists of the study of prevention, and treatment of diseases and malformations of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, and the removal, correction, and replacement of decayed, damaged, or lost parts, including such operations as the filling and crowning of teeth, the straightening of teeth, and the construction of artificial dentures.

Information about Studying Dentistry

To study dentistry requires a good level of English language. In the dental specialization, many practical subjects that have been studied in the secondary stage will be studied, but in a more detailed way, such as biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, and some additional subjects.

The student is granted a bachelor’s degree after completing a certain number of semesters, and the number of semesters refers to the university or college in which the student studies. The student is granted a bachelor’s degree after completing five or six years in studying dentistry, and the number of years is up to the country in which he will study this course.

Qualities of a Successful Dentist

The study of the dental specialization requires certain qualifications and scientific capabilities in addition to some personal skills that should not separate the pioneers of this specialization.

First: The educational qualifications for studying dentistry:

A high school diploma of at least 85%.
That the high school diploma be scientific, not literary or the like.
Very good or above level in scientific subjects.

Second: Attributes and characteristics:

Ability to take responsibility.
Patience and endurance.
Inference skill.
High concentration and strength in preservation.
Flexibility and smooth handling.
Knowing how to treat different patients.
Good mental and physical health.
Show good manners.

Third: In the field of work:

Use medical devices with caution and care.
The ability to form professional relationships with those who have a relationship in the field, such as a laboratory technician, dental clinic technician, or other doctors.
Cooperation.
Ability to solve problems.
Have good manners.

Dental specialization subjects

Subjects differ from one university or college to another, as there are some subjects that are taught in the form of theoretical and other practical or applied subjects.

Here is a list of the most important subjects for the dental specialization:

Caries diagnosis.
Management of dental caries.
Dental bleaching.
cosmetic dentistry.
Dental fillings.
Endodontics.
Microscopic endodontics.
Preventive Dentistry

Orthodontics.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Prosthodontics, and it includes:

Fixed bridges and Implants.
Removable complete denture.
Removable partial denture.

Periodontics.
Prosthodontics.
Dental Implantology.
Dental Radiology
Forensic Dentistry.
Oral Medicine.
Oral Pathology.
Oral Histology.
Dental material.
Dental anatomy.
Other Dental Specialists.

Years of studying dentistry

The study of dentistry takes from five to six years and the number of its study depends on the country in which the student will study in. The students will study many subjects and theoretical sciences are taught, the student learns many clinical skills, in order to ensure his ability to provide excellent care and appropriate care to patients.

After completing the study, the dentist will be able to diagnose and treat oral diseases, as well as treat the effects of accidents and imbalances in the mouth and teeth, and be able to perform surgical procedures such as dental implants, bone implants, and extraction.

First year:
During this year, the scientific subjects that were studied in the secondary stage are studied, but in a more detailed manner such as biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, and some basic scientific subjects.
Second Year:
This year builds on what was learned in the first year, with subjects related to the greater specialization of dentistry, such as anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Third Year:
The skills related to dentistry are expanded in this year, so the doctor deals with the teeth this year, and is able to practice tooth sculpting and learn about the parts of the tooth, and at this stage it must reach a complete perception of the anatomy of the head and neck.
Fourth year:
The skills of the dentist are expanding this year to anesthesia, orthodontics, the doctor must have the ability to deal with some dental problems, such as tooth decay and dealing with various patients and society in general.
Fifth and sixth year:
The practical side for this year will be large, and the doctor is required cases of endodontic treatment, crowns, bridges, gum treatment, tooth extraction and dental prostheses, and pediatric treatment.

Reasons for Studying Dentistry

Some prefer to study the specialization of dentistry for many reasons, including that this specialization deals with people and may affect their lives positively, as it is concerned with ridding people of their pain and improving the aesthetic appearance of their teeth and faces.

Another reason for studying this specialization is that it is one of the specializations that gives flexibility in working times, number of days, and hours, and the doctor is independent and has the option to open his private clinic upon graduation.

This specialization is not limited to working in the dental clinic, but it also allows working in academic fields and research.

What is the difference Between a DDS and DMD?

They both mean the same thing, DDS and DMD are degrees awarded to dentists. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education and both degrees use the same curriculum requirements.

Do Dentists have the title Dr?

The title of doctor is used for dental practitioners who are dentists or specialists, or those holders of doctoral degrees as well as for medical practitioners. They are also doctors if they had studied for a Ph.D. After their dentistry degree.

Dental assistants

Education | Salary of the dental assistant

Dental Assistant is a dental hygienist who works closely with and under the supervision of a dentist. They work with patients by
performing tasks before and after the dentist's meeting with the patient, as well as assisting the dentist during some dental procedures.

Dental assistant tasks

Dental Assistants perform a variety of tasks and depend upon provincial regulations, however, the following are some specific tasks dental assistants may perform:
Assisting the dentist and hygienist during a variety of treatment procedures.
Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays).
Asking about the patient’s medical history and taking blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment.
Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
Providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or the other dental.
Treatment procedures, such as oral prophylaxis (teeth cleaning).
Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
Taking impressions of patients’ teeth for studying casts (models of teeth).
Performing office management tasks that often require the use of a computer.
Communicating with patients and suppliers (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies).
Assisting with and helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.
The dental assistant's role is often thought to support the dental operator by typically passing instruments during clinical procedures.

Dental assistant functional advantages

Variety: dental assistance is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires ingenuity and a willingness to take responsibility for many different tasks.

Flexibility: The dental assistant profession is a relatively much sought-after profession, so career options include full-time and part-time jobs.

Excellent working conditions: Working in dental clinics is fun and beautiful.

Personal Satisfaction: The profession of dental assistant includes communicating with people, and with this personal interaction, personal satisfaction comes from knowing that you really helped a person by providing a valuable health service.

What do Education or Training Do Dental Assistants need?

Dental assistants obtain additional training in intra-oral duties, which means they are able to do everything. Educational requirements for a dental assisting program vary however many include successful completion of secondary school diplomas with biology and chemistry. Some programs require a valid CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) Level C certificate.

Salary of the dental assistant

The salary of the dental assistant depends primarily on the responsibilities related to the work required of him (determined by the dentist), and the geographical location also plays an important role in the percentage of dental assistant income.