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Dentistry, more appropriately "'''dental medicine'''", 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 human beings. While the work of Dentists is often surgical in nature, dentists can and do treat many diseases of the oral cavity and face chemotherapeutically (i.e. with prescribed medicines). A Dentist is a doctor, 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). 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 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.
Specialists in these fields are designated registrable (U.S. "Board Eligible") and warrant exclusive titles such as orthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, endodontist, pedodontist, 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 {Link without Title} {Link without Title} . HISTORY , c. 1616-17.]] Evidence has been found of teeth having been drilled dating back 9,000 years. news.bbc.co.uk {Link without Title} The people of the Indus Valley Civilization , even from the early Harappa n 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. BBC News. Last Updated: Thursday, 6 April 2006Coppa, 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. Some information contained in the and Greco-Roman s reveal early attempts at dental Prosthetic s and Surgery . {Link without Title} 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 Physician s. Barber s 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 ORGANIZATIONS Australia
Brazil
Canada
Costa Rica
Fiji Dental Association of Fiji Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Israel
Macedonia
Malta
Mexico
Miscellaneous
Netherlands
Portugal
Philippines
Romania
Slovakia
South Africa
Sweden Taiwan
United Kingdom
United States
SEE ALSO section of a tooth]]
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