The dental profession is a vital health care occupation that offers many opportunities for advancement and financial rewards. As more and more people are realizing that oral health is related to overall physical health, the need for qualified dental professionals has increased rapidly. This career is a highly respected and rewarding field, with excellent salaries and growth potential. There are five clinical specialties for dentist: orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery. Each requires specialized education and training. A general dentist may also choose to specialize in a specific area of dentistry or focus on public health issues.
Those who choose to focus on restorative dentistry perform procedures like tooth fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals and teeth cleanings. General dentists often refer patients in need of orthodontic treatment to specialists in this area, although some dentists possess the skills required for these procedures and can provide them themselves.
Endodontists are experts in the treatment of injuries to dental nerves and pulp. They are also trained to repair a wide range of other dental problems including periodontal disease and temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which affect the jaw, face and neck areas.
Prosthodontists are expert in creating fixed or removable substitutes for missing natural teeth, such as porcelain crowns, bridges and dentures. In addition, they may provide splints and other appliances to help stabilize loose or broken teeth. These specialists typically work with oral surgeons and other dental professionals to treat a variety of dental problems.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide advanced surgical treatments for the mouth, jaw and surrounding areas. They treat injuries, faults and diseases of the jaws, lips, cheeks, mouth, head and neck.
Those who specialize in orthodontia work with children and adolescents to correct abnormalities of the teeth, bite and jaws. They are also experts in treating special-handicapped children beyond the age of adolescence. Periodontists focus on treating the gum tissues and the bones that support the teeth. They are also trained to treat a wide range of other dental problems, such as periodontal disease, bone loss and gum recession.
Becoming a dentist is a lengthy process that begins with four years of undergraduate study. Following undergraduate studies, students attend dental school to earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. After graduation, dentists must pass state exams to become licensed in their respective states. Those interested in pursuing a dental specialty must complete an additional two to three years of postgraduate training. These extra years of specialized education are similar to those that medical doctors undergo for their specific clinical fields. Those who decide to pursue a board certification must also complete a rigorous examination. To prepare for this, prospective dental professionals are encouraged to volunteer or work in a health care environment where they can learn about the delivery of dental services and meet practicing dentists.