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Information about Dentistry

This article is about the dental profession. For tooth care, see oral hygiene.
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A Dentist and Dental Assistant perform surgery on a patient.


The World Health Organisation defines Dentistry as "the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth". A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or (B.Ch.D) or equivalent. In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.

The first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, opened in Baltimore, Maryland in 1840. Harvard Dental School was the first dental school to affiliate with a university in 1867 (renamed Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1940.)

General dentistry

General dentistry is the only non-speciality field of dentistry. General dentists typically do not focus their clinical practice on any particular discipline within dentistry, and instead provide basic care within a variety of disciplines. However, they can (and often do) further their training in one or more speciality areas (such as surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, etc.). Hence, there can be a great deal of variation between the level of skill in different disciplines from dentist to dentist, however all dentists must achieve a certain degree of skill in various disciplines in order to graduate from dental school and earn licensure. General practitioners, unlike specialists, have the luxury of choosing which services they will provide and which they will refer to specialists. It is important to note that most general practitioners perform restorative, prosthetic, routine endodontic therapy, routine periodontal therapy, and simple exodontia, as well as performing examinations. Others are comfortable treating more complex cases, as well as placing implants and extracting third molars...among many other procedures frequently referred to specialists. Contrary to popular belief, most dentists do not regularly clean teeth, and instead delegate this task to their support staff (e.g. dental hygienists).

Specialities

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Development of teeth sculpture is a major improvement among dentistry.
In addition to general dentistry, there are 9 recognized dental specialties in the US, Canada, and Australia. To become a specialist requires one to train in a residency or advanced graduate training program. Once residency is completed, the doctor is granted a certificate of specialty training. Many specialty programs have optional or required advanced degrees such as (MD/MBBS specific to Maxillofacial Surgery), MS, or PhD.
  • Dental Public Health (study of dental epidemiology and social health policies),
  • Endodontics (root canal therapy and study of diseases of the dental pulp),
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (study, diagnosis, and sometimes the treatment of oral and maxillofacial related diseases),
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (study and radiologic interpretation of oral and maxillofacial diseases),
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (extractions, facial surgery and implants),
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (straightening of teeth and modification of midface and mandibular growth),
  • Pediatric Dentistry (i.e. dentistry for children, formerly known as "pedodontics"),
  • Periodontics (treatment of the periodontium, however most periodontists place implants),
  • Prosthodontics (dentures, bridges and the restoration of implants. Some prosthodontists further their training in "oral and maxillofacial prosthodontics--a discipline concerned with the replacement of missing facial structures--such as ears, eyes, nose, etc.)
Specialists in these fields are designated registrable (U.S. "Board Eligible") and warrant exclusive titles such as orthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, endodontist, pediatric dentist, periodontist, or prosthodontist upon satisfying certain local (U.S. "Board Certified"), (Australia/NZ: "FRACDS"), or (Canada: "FRCD(C)") registry requirements.

Two other post-graduate formal advanced education programs: General Practice Residency (advanced clinical and didactic training with intense hospital experience) and Advanced Education in General Dentistry (advanced training in clinical dentistry) recognized by the ADA do not lead to specialization.

Special category: Oral Biology - Research in Dental and Craniofacial Biology

Other dental education exists where no post-graduate formal university training is required: cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, temporo-mandibular joint therapy. These usually require the attendance of one or more continuing education courses that typically last for one to several days. There are restrictions on allowing these dentists to call themselves specialists in these fields. The specialist titles are registrable titles and controlled by the local dental licensing bodies.

Forensic odontology consists of the gathering and use of dental evidence in law. This may be performed by any dentist with experience or training in this field. The function of the forensic dentist is primarily documentation and verification of identity.

Geriatric dentistry or geriodontics is the delivery of dental care to older adults involving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems associated with normal ageing and age-related diseases as part of an interdisciplinary team with other health care professionals.

Veterinary dentistry, a speciality of veterinary medicine, is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals [1][2].

History

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Farmer at the dentist, Johann Liss, c. 1616-17.


Evidence has been found of teeth having been drilled dating back 9,000 years. [1] The people of the Indus Valley Civilization, even from the early Harappan periods (c. 3300 BC), had knowledge of medicine and dentistry. A physical anthropologist that examined exhumed bodies from that time period, Professor Andrea Cucina from the University of Missouri-Columbia, made the discovery when he was cleaning the teeth from one of the men. Stone age people in India and Pakistan were using dental drills made of flint 9,000 years ago. [2][3]

Some information contained in the Edwin Smith Papyrus dates as early as 3000 BC and includes the treatment of several dental ailments. [3][4] Hammurabi's Code contains some references to dental procedures and fees[5]. The Ebers papyrus also discusses similar treatments.[6] Examining the remains of some ancient Egyptians and Greco-Romans reveal early attempts at dental prosthetics and surgery.[7]

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Medieval dentist extracting a tooth. London; c. 1360-75.


Historically, dental extractions have been used to treat a variety of illnesses. During the Middle Ages and through the 19th century, dentistry was not a profession into itself, and often dental procedures were performed by barbers or general physicians. Barbers usually limited their practice to extracting teeth, which not only resulted in the alleviation of pain, but often cured a variety of ailments linked with chronic tooth infection. Instruments used for dental extractions date back several centuries. In the 14th century, Guy de Chauliac invented the dental pelican (resembling a pelican's beak) which was used through the late 18th century. The pelican was replaced by the dental key which, in turn, was replaced by modern forceps in the 20th century.

It is said that the 17th century French physician Pierre Fauchard started dentistry science as we know it today, hence he was named "the father of modern dentistry". Among many of his developments were, the extensive use of dental prosthesis, introducing dental fillings as treatment for dental caries and stating that sugar derivate acids like tartaric acid were responsible for dental decay.

Dentistry throughout the world

Main article: Dentistry throughout the world

Organizations

Brazil

Canada

Costa Rica

Fiji

Dental Association of Fiji

Germany

Hong Kong

India

Ireland

Israel

Macedonia

Malta

Mexico

Miscellaneous

Netherlands

Nigeria

  • Nigerian Dental Association

Portugal

  • Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas
  • Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentária
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Mestrado em Medicina Dentária(Viseu)

Philippines

  • Philippine Dental Association http://www.pda.ph
  • Filipino-Chinese Dental Foundation, Inc.

Romania

Slovakia

South Africa

Sweden

Taiwan

United Kingdom

United States

See also

At Wikiversity you can learn more and teach others about Dentistry at:


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Sagittal section of a tooth

References

1. ^ news.bbc.co.uk [8]
2. ^ BBC News. Last Updated: Thursday, 6 April 2006
3. ^ Coppa, A. et al. 2006. "Early Neolithic tradition of dentistry: Flint tips were surprisingly effective for drilling tooth enamel in a prehistoric population." Nature. Volume 440. 6 April, 2006.

Further reading

External links

 •  • [ e]
Dentistry
Recognized SpecialtiesEndodontics - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics - Pediatric Dentistry - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Dental public health
Unrecognized SpecialtiesCosmetic Dentistry - Dental Implantology - Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - Geriatric dentistry
OtherForensic Odontology
 •  • [ e]
Health science > medicine
General
Physician specialties
Medical specialties
Surgical specialties
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth clean in order to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath (halitosis), and other dental disorders.

Oral hygiene consists of both personal and professional care.
..... Click the link for more information.
Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics http://www.ACEsthetics.com
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry Advancing the standard of care for comprehensive implant dentistry since 1951.
  • American Dental Education Association http://www.adea.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    • The DDS degree, referring to Doctor of Dental Surgery, denotes one of a few degrees that are awarded to dentists, the others being Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or (B.Ch.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The DMD degree, referring to Doctor of Dental Medicine denotes one of a few degrees that are awarded for dentists, the others being Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or (B.Ch.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    BDS is a three-letter acronym that can stand for multiple things:
    • Bachelor of Dental Surgery, degree awarded to dental surgeons (dentists) upon their graduation from dental school
    • the alias of Andreas Thorstensson, the owner of SK Gaming
    • Baby Duck Syndrome

    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, founded February 1 1840 [1] , is the birthplace of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (D.D.S.), and is known as the first dental college in the world.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is an American dental school located in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Dentists can refer to one of the following:
    • Practitioners of dentistry
    • The Dentists, a British band active in the 1980s and 1990s

    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry, that deals with the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. The pulp (containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue) can become diseased or injured and thus is unable to repair
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Root canals is the commonly used term for the main canals within the dentin of a tooth. These are part of the natural cavity within a tooth that consists of the dental pulp chamber, the main canals and more intricated anatomical branches, that may connect the root canals to each
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Oral pathology, also known in the United States of America as oral and maxillofacial pathology is the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is a recognized international surgical specialty.
    • In the U.S.A.

    ..... Click the link for more information.
    dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons. Tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration is the most frequent indication for extraction of teeth.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Pedodontics, or pediatric dentistry, is a specialized branch of dentistry for the treatment of children.

    Dental Care for Young Children: Summary of Best Practice Recommendations

    When should parents begin to clean their baby’s teeth?
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Periodontology, or periodontics, is the branch of dentistry which studies the supporting structures of teeth, known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligaments.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Periodontium refers to the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth, maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odons, meaning "tooth.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    worldwide view.
    Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA).

    A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in prosthodontics, the specialty of implant, esthetic and reconstructive dentistry.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    A General Practice Residency (GPR) is a one or two year hospital based postgraduate training program for dentists seeking additional education. In the hospital setting, residents are exposed to a wide range of medically compromised patients needing dental care.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Cosmetic dentistry is a discipline within dentistry in which the primary focus is the modification of appearance of a patient's oral cavity and surrounding structures, in conjunction with the prevention and treatment of organic, structural, or functional oral disease.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry. There are several types. The most widely accepted and successful is the osseointegrated implant, based on the discovery by Swedish Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark that titanium could be
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Temporomandibular joint disorder
    Classification & external resources

    Temporomandibular joint
    ICD-10 K 07.6
    ICD-9 524.60

    DiseasesDB 12934
    MedlinePlus 001227
    eMedicine neuro/366   radio/679 emerg/569

    MeSH C05.500.607.221.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Dentists can refer to one of the following:
    • Practitioners of dentistry
    • The Dentists, a British band active in the 1980s and 1990s

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    Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which will be then presented in the interest of justice.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics http://www.ACEsthetics.com
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry Advancing the standard of care for comprehensive implant dentistry since 1951.
  • American Dental Education Association http://www.adea.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    • Geriatric dentistry or gerodontics is the delivery of dental care to older adults involving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems associated with normal aging and age-related diseases as part of an interdisciplinary team with other health care professionals.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Veterinary dentistry is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals. It is the art and science of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, diseases, and disorders of the oral cavity, the maxillofacial region, and its associated structures as it relates to
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. Veterinary science
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1500 BCE, flourished 2600–1900 BCE), abbreviated IVC, was an ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river valleys primarily in what is now Pakistan and western India, extending westward into
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Harappa (Urdu: ہڑپہ) is a city in Punjab, northeast Pakistan, about 35km (22 miles) southwest of Sahiwal.

    The modern town is located near the former course of the Ravi River and also beside the ruins of an ancient fortifed city, which was part
    ..... Click the link for more information.


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