Develop a Career as a Professional Dentist

Dentistry is a branch of medical science and a person qualified in dentistry is called a dentist. He is a certified authority to treat diseases and conditions that affect the mouth, jaws, teeth, and their supporting tissues as well as to repair and extract damaged teeth.

The major job profile of a dentist includes dental care check ups; extraction of teeth, filling tooth cavities, fitting dentures, surgery of mouth, replacement of extracted teeth through surgery; scaling and cleaning of teeth; fluoride therapy; making and fitting false teeth; correction of misalignment of teeth by ‘braces’ and so on.

The minimum requirement to practice as a professional dentist is a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Science (BDS). It is 4 years course which is followed by one year of internship. Academic-oriented candidates can go on pursuing a Master’s in Dental Science (MDS) which is of two year duration. Courses in dentistry are offered in medical institutions and dental colleges. Certificate and diploma courses in dentistry are also offered by various private dental colleges and some of these courses are Dental Hygienist Certificate Course; Dental Mechanic Certificate Course and Diploma Course in Dental Assistance.

Various specializations available at master and doctorate level are Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Endodontics, Periodontics (study of diseases of gums), Pedodontics (deals with oral health of children), Prosthodontics (science that make mouth, teeth, and face work), Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Cosmetic dentistry.

Perhaps cosmetic dentistry is the most popular field of dentistry in today’s time because of the sophisticated technology and result-oriented treatment provided in this field for correcting the irregularities and malformations of the mouth, teeth and oral cavity as well as all oral disorders.

Plenty of employment opportunities are available for dentists in Dental hospitals; dental clinics; pharmaceuticals companies and dental colleges. Various career choices are as a Dentist, Dental doctor, Dental Hygienist, Dental assistant, Dental consultant and as professors and lecturers in the Dental Colleges. Private practice is also a lucrative career option where experienced dentists can run own dental clinics.