Dentists


Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth or mouth tissue. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children�s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, and instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Dentists in private practice oversee a variety of administrative tasks, including bookkeeping and buying equipment and supplies. They may employ and supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, and receptionists. (These occupations are described elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in any of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists, straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or retainers. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operates on the mouth and jaws. The remainder may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing on dentistry for children); periodontists (treating gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures); endodontists (performing root canal therapy); public-health dentists (promoting good dental health and preventing dental diseases within the community); oral pathologists (studying oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial radiologists (diagnosing diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies).

Related news articles
Dentist's gas cylinder explodes - 16 Oct 2006
The Age,A man in his 30s has suffered serious facial burns after a gas cylinder ignited at a dental surgery in Melbourne's north. The incident ...

Assistant: Chicago dentist gave extra sedation to 5-year-old who ... - 16 Oct 2006
Belleville News-Democrat,CHICAGO - An assistant to the dentist whose 5-year-old patient slipped into a coma following a common procedure and died days later said Monday that Dr. Hicham ...

Fun at the dentist - 16 Oct 2006
Sherman Denison Herald Democrat,...experience. The poor dentist had a muscle spasm and stabbed the inside of my jaw with one of those sharp, poky, dental things. He ...

Dentist to discuss illness from fillings - 16 Oct 2006
San Antonio Express,St. Luke's Baptist Hospital is hosting Dr. Hal Huggins in a presentation on dental amalgam illness. The presentation begins at 7 ...

Brushing off daily task can lead to decay - 16 Oct 2006
Toronto Star,David and I thought we were doing all right with tooth brushing until Will had his first visit to the dentist some months past. ...

Glad You Asked: OK, I'll bite - How can dental records help ID ... - 16 Oct 2006
Belleville News-Democrat,...part. For help, let's turn to Bill Choby, a dentist from Latrobe, Pa., who's experienced in many aspects of forensic dentistry. ...

LeT seeks probe in dentist’s murder - Oct 15, 2006
GreaterKashmir.com (press release),Srinagar, Oct 15: Lashkar-e-Toiba has condemned the recent killing of a dental surgeon from Handwara by unidentified persons in Sopur town and demanded a probe ...

CNN’s unwitting words of wisdom for PRC - Oct 15, 2006
ABS CBN News,Let’s hope all those involved in the 2006 nursing board scandal—starting with the dentist who heads the Professional Regulation Commission (though given ...

Hearing set for dead girl's dentist - Oct 13, 2006
Chicago Tribune,The Little Village dentist whose 5-year-old patient died last month after receiving anesthesia in his office will appear Friday before a state administrative ...

Official: Dentist of girl who died shouldn't practice again - Oct 13, 2006
Chicago Tribune,AP. Officials with the Professional Regulation Department say the Chicago dentist whose young patient died after slipping into a coma should never practice in ...

Dentist, assistant testify about death of 5-year-old - Oct 13, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times,Riba's attorney countered that his client is a good dentist who has never been sued for malpractice in his 9-year career, during which he has treated thousands ...

Diamond Dentist Goes To Hearing About License - Oct 13, 2006
CBS2 Chicago,CBS 2's Sylvia Gomez reports that a dental assistant who helped treat a five-year-old Chicago girl who died after being treated by the dentist says she had no ...

Licensing Hearing For Dentist In Sedation Case - Oct 13, 2006
CBS2 Chicago,...(CBS) CHICAGO A licensing hearing is set for Friday morning for the dentist accused of not properly monitoring a little girl after giving her anesthesia. ...

Public health dentist starts at clinic Monday - Oct 13, 2006
The Register-Mail,By CIGI ROSS. What's going on? Knox County's new public health dentist Dr. Tony McClure will start on Monday. The Knox County Board ...

At The Dentist's Office, Courage Is Overrated - Oct 14, 2006
Hartford Courant,A friend of mine was just telling me about a recent trip to the dentist during which he experienced a significant amount of pain because the Novocain didn't ...

Dentist to join Muroc - Oct 14, 2006
Los Angeles Daily News,BY KAREN MAESHIRO, Staff Writer. NORTH EDWARDS - Muroc Joint Unified School District trustees have appointed a Boron dentist to the school board. ...

Accused dentist wants license back - Oct 11, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times,The 35-pound kindergartner was given multiple intravenous medications during her trip to the dentist to have cavities filled and caps applied to her teeth. ...






More information on Dentists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Dentists occupation
Number of Dentists in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Dentists
Working conditions for Dentists
Significant points for Dentists
Training requirements for Dentists




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