The treatment and prevention of diseases of the mouth and teeth; with medicine and nursing, one of the major health professions. Dentistry was studied at the Chinese Imperial Medical College from 620, and toothbrushes and toothpaste were known by Song times (10th13th-c). In the West, it was first practised by barber surgeons. Surgeon dentists first formed a separate guild in France in the reign of Louis XIV, and were required to pass a prescribed examination. In the UK, dental hospitals were built to serve the poor, but formal dental schools were not founded until 1840 in the USA and 1860 in the UK. They were originally privately funded and staffed. Today the practice of dentistry is well-controlled, and its practitioners are licensed under a number of authorities in different countries following specifically dental-oriented training. In Russia, dentists are first trained as physicians and then in operative dentistry, and are called stomatologists. In the UK, the right to practise is granted by a General Dental Council, which controls professional and ethical standards. The great majority of dentists in the USA and Europe (but not Russia) are in private dental practice, and in the UK many hold contracts with the state, which funds some of the costs. In some countries, dental hygienists provide services such as X-rays, scaling of teeth, and dental health education. In the UK, dental assistants and auxiliaries work closely with the dentist, assisting in clinical work, as well as discharging secretarial and receptionist duties.
The trend in dental practice has moved from the repair of individual teeth, or their wholesale removal for the relief of pain, to that of conservation and the prevention of disease (conservative dentistry). Hospital dental care for larger and specialist procedures is available in the UK as part of the National Health Service. Apart from general dentistry, several special branches of the subject have developed. Periodontics is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of tissues that surround and support the teeth. The most common disorder is infection of the gums, causing pyorrhea, which when severe may lead to loss of teeth. It is believed that bacteria cause the deposition of plaque, a hard material that adheres to teeth and promotes gum damage. Scaling of teeth and hygiene tend to prevent these complications. Orthodontics is concerned with correcting the malposition of teeth, usually arising from faults in dental development; it includes repair of difficulties in chewing and the treatment of dento-facial deformities. The provision of artificial prostheses attempts to restore oral function after the loss of teeth or of tissue; it includes the use of fixed and removable prostheses (prosthodontics). Oral surgery is concerned with the repair of injury to the jaws by disease or by trauma; it includes the diagnosis and treatment of infections, tumours and cysts, and congenital defects such as cleft palate. The diagnosis of the nature of such conditions is a branch of pathology.
The first dental school opened in Baltimore Maryland. The first dental school to affiliate with a university became part of Harvard.
General Dentistry (Aesthetic or Cosmetic Dentistry)
General Dental Practice includes most examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment, and prevention of disease. The dentist and with the aide of other dental auxiliaries frequently uses X-rays and other equipment to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment planning. Treatment may include filling dental cavities, removing the nerves of teeth (R.C.T or Root Canal Treatment), treating diseases of the gums, removing teeth (Extraction), and replacing lost teeth with bridges and dentures (Dental Plates). An important part of general dental practice is preventive dentistry.
Specialties
In addition to general dentistry, there are nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association and require 2-6 years of residency training after dental school. The specialties are:
Dental Public Health (study of dental epidemiology and social health policies), Endodontics (root canal therapy), Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (study, diagnosis, and often 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 and facial surgery), Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (straightening of teeth), Pedodontics (pediatric dentistry;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.
Other dental education exists where no post-graduate formal university training is required: cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, temporo-mandibular joint therapy.
Forensic odontology consists of the gathering and use of dental evidence in law.
Geriatric dentistry or geriodontics 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.
Veterinary dentistry, a specialty of veterinary medicine, is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals .
Some information contained in the Edwin Smith Papyrus dates as early as 3000 BC and includes the treatment of several dental ailments ( &
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.
For more information on the ancient history of dentistry refer to the Indian Dental Association's History of Dentistry.
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, introduced dental fillings as treatment for dental cavities and stated sugar derivate acids like tartaric acid were responsible of dental decay. (Discuss)
Dentistry in Australia
In Australia, graduating dentists earn either a BDSc (Bachelor of Dental Science), B.D.S (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or BDent (Bachelor of Dentistry) degree. There are six (6) Dental schools in Australia run by universities;
University of Adelaide Griffith University University of Melbourne University of Sydney University of Queensland University of Western AustraliaThe School of Dental Science at the University of Melbourne is the oldest dental school in Australia.
Dentistry in Canada
Canadian dentistry is overseen by the Canadian Dental Association, while specialization is overseen by the Royal College of Dentists. In 1867 the Ontario Dental Association was formed and in 1868 they founded Canada's first dental school in Toronto, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. The University of Toronto agreed to be affiliated with the dental school. However, the University of Toronto still has the largest dental school in Canada that features the most postgraduate research opportunities as well as certifications for all the dental specialties.
Dental care is not covered by the Canadian health care system, as it is in many other countries with public healthcare.
Canadian dental schools
University of Toronto (1868) McGill University (1905) Université de Montréal (1905) Dalhousie University (1908) University of Alberta (1923) University of Manitoba (1958) University of British Columbia (1964) University of Western Ontario (1966) University of Saskatchewan (1968) Université Laval (1971)ko'Dentistry in Chile
Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Concepción,Universidad de Valparaíso , Universidad de Talca, Universidad de Antofagasta, among others provides the profession in Chile. The first dental school was the one of the Universidad de Concepcion in the year 1919.
Before the dental school was established in the University of Hong Kong(in 1980), most of the practicing dentists obtained their dental degree from the Philippines.
Dentistry in India
Modern Indian dentists must earn the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (B.D.S.), which requires four years of study and one year of internship. In most states, one has to appear for an entrance test conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education, whereas some autonomous universities conduct their own entrance tests.Post graduate courses (Master of Dental Surgery.
The Specialisation(MDS) is available in the following specialities - Orthodontics,Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Conservative and endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral Pathology, Oral medicine and Radiology, Community Dentistry. Although many institutions are offering other short or long courses in Dental Implantology and Esthetic Dentistry, These are yet to be regularised by the Council.
Besides Certificate courses are also offered in Dental Mechanics and Dental Hygiene. Dental Mechanics offers knowledge about Prosthodontic appliances to be fabricated in a dental laboratory while a Dental Hygienist deals with clinical part,viz scaling, polishing, et.al.Dental Council of India.
The First Dental College of India was established in Calcutta presently Kolkata in the year 1924.It was then called Calcutta Dental College and Hospital and was constructed single handedly by Dr.Rafiuddin Ahmed without any Govt.
After his death on 9 February 1965 the college was renamed after him.After that many Other Dental Colleges have come up in India.
Dentistry in Italy
In Italy dentists complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a degree.
Dentistry in Malta
The first course leading to a degree in Dental Surgery, at the University of Malta, commenced in 1933.
Dental Surgery was established as a separate Faculty in 1954, previous to which the course was under the direction of a Board of Studies within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Dentistry in Norway
The 5-year dental education is offered at three universities:
University of Oslo University of Bergen University of TromsøAll dentists in Norway are organized through "Tannlegeforeningen".
Dentistry in Pakistan
At present there are upwards of 20 dental schools (public & Dental Council the state regulatory body has upwards of 6200 registered dentists. The four year training culminates in achieveing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which also requires a one year compulsory internship to be a registered dentist in Pakistan.
Dentistry in the Philippines
Most Filipino Dentists must earn a total of 6 years of dental school (2 years preparatory; 4 years proper) to obtain the degree Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). Presently, the country has a total of 17 dental schools, in which the board licensing is administered and regulated by the Board of Dentistry of the Professional Regulation Commission.
Ago Medical and Educational Center Cebu Doctors College Centro Escolar University Davao, Medical School Foundation De Ocampo Memorial College Emilio Aguinaldo Colleges Our Lady of Fatima University Iloilo Doctors College Lyceum of Batangas Lyceum Northwestern Manila Central University Medina College Mindanao Medical Foundation Misamis University National University Pines City Educational Center Southwestern University Unciano Paramedical Colleges University of Baguio University of the East University of Perpetual Help University of the Philippines University of the Visayas Virgen Milagrosa University FoundationDentistry in Slovakia
In Slovakia, dentists complete 6 years of undergraduate study to earn a MUDr (lat.
Dentistry in Sweden
The 5-year dental education is offered at four universities:
University of Malmoe (Malmö) http://www.mah.se/templates/Page____13098.aspx University of Gothenburg (Göteborg) http://www.odontology.gu.se/ University of Stockhom in Huddinge at Karolinska (The Karolinska institute) http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1524&l=en University of Umeaa (Umeå) http://www.odont.umu.se/index_eng.html
Most dentists in Sweden are organized through "Tandläkarförbundet" which also issues the scientific 'Swedish Dental Journal': http://www.tandlakarforbundet.se/swe/default.asp.
Dental care is provided at public and private dental offices. Dental services are free for everyone up to 20 years of age. For more expensive dental work above the age of 65 the patients only pay 7800 SEK (~ $1,000) plus the cost of the dental material that was used.
The English title given to dental graduates in Sweden is D.D.S (University Degree in Dental Surgery).
Dentistry in Taiwan
After graduating from high school, students are required to take a 6 year dental program to get their D.M.D. The first dental school in Taiwan belonged to the College of Medicine at National Taiwan University. There are currently 7 dental schools in Taiwan:
China Medical University(Taiwan) Chung Shan Medical University Fu Jen Catholic University Kaohsiung Medical University National Cheng Kung University National Defense Medical Center National Taiwan University National Yang Ming University Taipei Medical UniversityDentistry in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, dentists complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a B.D.S. (General Dental Council), and meet their requirements as the governing body of the profession, before being allowed to practice. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.M.D.(Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. There are 56 Accredited Dental schools in the United States requiring 4 years of post graduate study (except for one unique 3 year program at the University of the Pacific). (List of dental schools in the United States) The difference relates to the history involved in the division of medicine and surgery in medical practice. In at least one state, a state dental license can be received without taking the licensing exam (State Board Exam) upon completing this additional year of training. Although a national licensure exam has yet to be made, the American Dental Association (ADA) has worked with education and examining groups to form such an exam.
A dentist may go on for further training in a dental specialty which require an additional 1 to 7 years of post-doctoral training. They are Endodontics (root canal treatment), Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics (gums), Prosthodontics (complicated dental reconstruction), Orthodontics (moving teeth), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (tooth removal and surgery of the oral and related structures), and Dental Public Health. Many general dentists train in certain aspects of the above specialties such as the placement and restoration of dental implants, advanced prosthodontics and endodontics, and have limited or heavily focused their practices to these areas.
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