Dentist – what does it do, how is it different from a dentist, and when to contact him?

A specialist who treats diseases of the teeth, in Western countries, is called a dentist. These doctors perform a wide range of services – from polishing and removing tartar to filling and implantation. The dentist performs fewer manipulations, but his profession should not be underestimated.

What is a dentist?

For a long time, dentists were engaged in the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity. Today, not everyone knows about this profession. Most patients before contacting a specialist have no idea what the dentist does, what he treats. Specialists with such a profession belong to the junior medical staff.

Like a dentist, a dentist specializes in the treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, jaw joints, and oral mucosa. However, having a dentist’s diploma limits the authority of a specialist to perform complex surgical procedures that require high qualifications (dentist and doctor).

What is the difference between a dentist and a dentist?

Many patients do not know what differences exist between the professions of a dentist and a dentist. Dentists are less qualified, therefore they are not allowed to perform complex manipulations. When asked whether a dentist can extract teeth, specialists answer in the negative. Gingival smile correction, cyst removal, prosthetics and implantation are performed exclusively by dentists. Dentists are authorized to provide the following range of services:

• preventive examination;
• diagnosis of diseases of the oral cavity, teeth;
• referral for x-ray examination;
• installation of temporary fillings;
• extraction of teeth in the absence of complications;
• taking an impression for the manufacture of dental processes;
• removal of hard deposits from the surface of the tooth;
• determination of the depth of gum pockets.

Types of dentists

A common specialization among dentists is the therapist. In most cases, these specialists conduct an initial examination of the patient, and then, if necessary, refer to another specialist:

1. Dentist-orthodontist – monitors the formation of the correct bite, its correction with the help of braces and caps.
2. Dentist-implantologist – is engaged in the process of implantation of implants in the jaw bone tissue. An artificial tooth is installed in the tooth socket, which in its functions is not inferior to the natural one.
3. Dentist-surgeon – deals with the treatment of problematic teeth that are not amenable to therapy. Specialists of this profile remove teeth, clean the cavities between the gums, remove cysts.
4. Dentist-orthopedist – is engaged in the installation of artificial prostheses: selects options for prosthetics, makes casts, adjusts the size of the manufactured prosthesis, fixes the prosthesis in the jaw.
5. Children’s dentist – provide dental treatment for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

How to become a dentist?

The profession of a dentist belongs to the specialties of the middle profile. It does not require long training, unlike a dentist. The latter, before receiving a diploma, study for 5 years, pass final exams, and undergo an internship. Only after that the dentist has the right to serve patients, to engage in treatment.

The duration of the dentistry course is 3 years. During this time, students comprehend the basics of anatomy, learn the structural features of the facial part of the skull, jaw. In addition, cadets are taught basic procedures and manipulations, the procedure for examining the oral cavity, and the prevention of oral diseases. The last course of study involves active practical exercises under the supervision of doctors and teachers.

Where do you study to be a dentist?

Wanting to get a profession in demand, applicants are often interested in how much to study as a dentist and where they teach this specialty. The training of qualified personnel with this specialization is carried out in medical colleges. Dentistry training lasts 3 years. Upon graduation, the diploma indicates “Dentist”.

These specialists in most cases work in tandem with a qualified, experienced dentist, providing him with the necessary assistance in performing medical procedures and manipulations. In remote regions, dentists can provide medical services individually, sometimes even replacing a dentist (in his absence).

How much does a dentist earn?

This question is of interest to those who have heard about the high salaries of dentists. However, it must be understood that a dentist is a specialist of secondary specialization, whose income is much less than that of dentists. This is due to the low level of qualification and the inability to perform a number of expensive procedures. It is difficult to say exactly how much dentists earn. There are a number of factors that affect the level of their salaries:

• location of the medical institution;
• work experience;
• availability of qualifications;
• number of shifts worked.

According to statistics, in large cities and regional centers, the salary of dentists can exceed the income level of the same specialists in the regions by 20-30%. On average, the income of these specialists in the CIS countries is 400-500 US dollars. It should be noted that the salary level of a dentist in European countries exceeds the indicated figures by 2-3 times.

Who can retrain as a dentist?

The specialty of a dentist allows you to get a higher education and retrain as a dentist. So do many college graduates who initially had no luck getting into college. It should be noted that in most medical universities, applicants who have already graduated from a medical college have an advantage over other applicants. An alternative for a dentist may be the specialty of a dental technician. It requires only certain practice, courses. Retraining is not required in most cases.