<p>Dentistry, today, has gained popularity among common people for a variety of reasons. It may be a dream for a student who wants to be a dentist or it may be an emergency requirement for a person with severe toothache! However, it becomes very important to understand Dentistry in a general way for the benefit of overall health and for aspirants who want to take it up as their profession. <br /><br />Not just teeth<br /><br />Dentistry is a branch of Medicine that involves studying, diagnosing, preventing, and treating the diseases, disorders and health issues of the oral cavity. In a larger scale, Dentistry is just confined to teeth by the general public. However, it also involves various other aspects of dental medicine and dental surgery involving gums, tongue, jaws, bones and diseases of other supporting structures in the head and neck region. Therefore, it is an important aspect of health studies due to its relevance and impact on the overall health of a person. <br /><br />Today, Dentistry is divided into several specialisations, although many of the initial treatment can be given by a competent general dental practitioner. Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics and Implantology, Pedodontics, Conservative and Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Preventive and Public Health dentistry and Orthodontics are some of the specialisations. Specialists in these disciplines play a major role in delivering good and effective treatment to patients.<br /><br />There are many universities and boards spread across the country that conduct selection and run courses in Dentistry. These authorities decide the fee structure and entry requirement for students to perceive dentistry as a profession.<br /><br />So, after completing Class 12 with Biology as one of the subjects, you would need to do a common entrance examination to qualify for Bachelors in Dental Surgery (BDS). This will be your first step in entering the field of dentistry. However, it would wise to check with the career counsellor to understand more about the entrance process and examinations. BDS is a five-year course that includes an internship. One can also consider doing Masters in Dental Surgery (MDS) after finishing the undergraduate degree.<br /><br />People are more aware of dental health now than ever before. Health policies and policy makers have been giving importance to oral health due to its impact on overall health and quality of life. From a simple sensitive tooth to a bride wanting the perfect set of teeth for her wedding, severe toothache that radiates to ear, eyes and neck, a person wanting his bad breath to reduce, an old lady wanting a denture, the general snoring issue, smoking problem, a sudden fall causing a tooth to fracture, accidents involving the fracture of jaw and facial bones and a serious illness like oral cancer, all require specialists in the field.<br /><br />Like any other healthcare establishment, dental clinic is a place where dental teams practice dentistry with resources needed to cater to most of the dental problems. Hence, a dental clinic requires proper infrastructure, man power and their systematic management and functioning. Along with clinics, there are hospitals and reputed teaching institutions that treat patients for dental ailments and diseases. Dentists work in private clinics, hospitals or teaching institutions depending on their personal working choices.<br /><br />Although there is a surplus of dentists in the country according to a recent data, people still need more oral health education and treatment due to disproportionately high concentration of dentists in big cities and other growing urban regions, neglecting the smaller towns and rural areas. However, quality education, ethical and good practice of dentistry will definitely yield good results and success irrespective of the place.<br /><br />With myths and facts that run against Dentistry as a profession, students, and of course their parents, who are over anxious to decide the careers and destinies of their children, should see the brighter side of the profession and attitude towards the profession as well. <br /><br />Dental education like any other medical subject is not a cake-walk during the course of education and initial days of practice, but hard work and dedication will definitely benefit and bring in happiness and satisfaction.<br /><em><br />(The author is dental surgeon & director, Toothpix Dental Healthcare, Bengaluru)</em><br /><br /></p>
<p>Dentistry, today, has gained popularity among common people for a variety of reasons. It may be a dream for a student who wants to be a dentist or it may be an emergency requirement for a person with severe toothache! However, it becomes very important to understand Dentistry in a general way for the benefit of overall health and for aspirants who want to take it up as their profession. <br /><br />Not just teeth<br /><br />Dentistry is a branch of Medicine that involves studying, diagnosing, preventing, and treating the diseases, disorders and health issues of the oral cavity. In a larger scale, Dentistry is just confined to teeth by the general public. However, it also involves various other aspects of dental medicine and dental surgery involving gums, tongue, jaws, bones and diseases of other supporting structures in the head and neck region. Therefore, it is an important aspect of health studies due to its relevance and impact on the overall health of a person. <br /><br />Today, Dentistry is divided into several specialisations, although many of the initial treatment can be given by a competent general dental practitioner. Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics and Implantology, Pedodontics, Conservative and Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Preventive and Public Health dentistry and Orthodontics are some of the specialisations. Specialists in these disciplines play a major role in delivering good and effective treatment to patients.<br /><br />There are many universities and boards spread across the country that conduct selection and run courses in Dentistry. These authorities decide the fee structure and entry requirement for students to perceive dentistry as a profession.<br /><br />So, after completing Class 12 with Biology as one of the subjects, you would need to do a common entrance examination to qualify for Bachelors in Dental Surgery (BDS). This will be your first step in entering the field of dentistry. However, it would wise to check with the career counsellor to understand more about the entrance process and examinations. BDS is a five-year course that includes an internship. One can also consider doing Masters in Dental Surgery (MDS) after finishing the undergraduate degree.<br /><br />People are more aware of dental health now than ever before. Health policies and policy makers have been giving importance to oral health due to its impact on overall health and quality of life. From a simple sensitive tooth to a bride wanting the perfect set of teeth for her wedding, severe toothache that radiates to ear, eyes and neck, a person wanting his bad breath to reduce, an old lady wanting a denture, the general snoring issue, smoking problem, a sudden fall causing a tooth to fracture, accidents involving the fracture of jaw and facial bones and a serious illness like oral cancer, all require specialists in the field.<br /><br />Like any other healthcare establishment, dental clinic is a place where dental teams practice dentistry with resources needed to cater to most of the dental problems. Hence, a dental clinic requires proper infrastructure, man power and their systematic management and functioning. Along with clinics, there are hospitals and reputed teaching institutions that treat patients for dental ailments and diseases. Dentists work in private clinics, hospitals or teaching institutions depending on their personal working choices.<br /><br />Although there is a surplus of dentists in the country according to a recent data, people still need more oral health education and treatment due to disproportionately high concentration of dentists in big cities and other growing urban regions, neglecting the smaller towns and rural areas. However, quality education, ethical and good practice of dentistry will definitely yield good results and success irrespective of the place.<br /><br />With myths and facts that run against Dentistry as a profession, students, and of course their parents, who are over anxious to decide the careers and destinies of their children, should see the brighter side of the profession and attitude towards the profession as well. <br /><br />Dental education like any other medical subject is not a cake-walk during the course of education and initial days of practice, but hard work and dedication will definitely benefit and bring in happiness and satisfaction.<br /><em><br />(The author is dental surgeon & director, Toothpix Dental Healthcare, Bengaluru)</em><br /><br /></p>
