Manu Anand
Dentistry is the branch of healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining oral health. It is a dynamic health profession and offers opportunities to become a successful, highly respected member of the community. It is accepted as a professional field which helps people maintain their health and appearance. Dentists or dental surgeons provide surgical, medical and other forms of treatment for oral and dental disorders and diseases by examining a patient’s teeth and mouth.
Dentists treat a diverse group of patients in a variety of settings using a variety of techniques and procedures such as computers and magnetic resonance imaging. This may include filling, crowning and scaling of teeth, extracting teeth, treating gum diseases and fitting artificial replacements where necessary and surgically handling injuries or other irregularities of the teeth and jaw.
Career prospects
If you are looking for a rewarding career in health care with a competitive salary and a sustainable work-life balance, dentistry may be for you. Dentists enjoy excellent compensation and the high demand for dental care is likely to continue in the future. A dental education opens up a world of professional opportunities. A degree in dentistry offers a number of career options, including: private practice as a general dentist or specialist (self-employed, employee, associate/partner), dental departments of government or private hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and health departments, teaching in dental colleges, medical insurance firms, researcher or adviser in a pharmaceutical or a dental care company, armed forces and state government jobs.
Job profile
In general, dentists are responsible for patients’ oral health. This might include everything from offering advice on foods or hygiene to repairing fractured teeth or performing more invasive procedures. Dentists might handle regular cleanings and hygiene, filling cavities, extracting teeth, applying sealants or whitening agents, creating dentures, straightening teeth and writing prescriptions. Problems dealing with the jaw or any invasive oral procedure are usually undertaken by an oral surgeon. Dentists perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery to correct them. The core function of a dentist is prevention and treatment of diseases related to oral cavity, including floor of the oral cavity, roof of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, etc. Their job includes educating patients about oral hygiene and ways to preserve a healthy mouth.
India is fast gaining ground as a hot destination to get a perfect smile at a fraction of the cost, compared to many parts of the world. So does that make dentistry a lucrative career option? Undoubtedly! Most dentists are general practitioners and handle a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in one of nine specialty areas:
Dental public health specialists promote good dental health and prevention of dental diseases in specific communities.
Endodontists perform root-canal therapy by which they remove nerves and blood supply from injured or infected teeth.
Oral and maxillofacial radiologists diagnose diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck and head, including procedures such as surgically repairing a cleft lip and palate or removing impacted teeth.
Oral pathologists diagnose conditions in the mouth, such as bumps or ulcers and oral diseases such as cancer.
Orthodontists straighten teeth by applying pressure with braces or other appliances.
Pediatric dentists focus on dentistry for children and special-needs patients.
Periodontists treat gums and bone supporting teeth.
Prosthodontists replace missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures.
Courses
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or BDS prepares a student for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all diseases, malformations and injuries related to the mouth and its components. This programme is a five-year course that is divided into four parts; with each part being completed per year followed by a one-year internship. The Dental Council of India registers those who have completed the BDS to practice dentistry. After completion of this degree, many graduates choose to join a government hospital to get hands-on experience.
Pursuing the BDS course exposes one to all aspects of dentistry, leaving no stone unturned. As a dentist, one’s expertise may be required in the emergency ward for a patient of head injury as well. As part of the BDS course, one will receive in-depth knowledge on topics such as health and disease, behavioural consequences of oral diseases and preventive dentistry, clinical examination and diagnostic procedures, X-rays and genetic engineering.
To get into this field one has to pass classes 10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology, and apply for the competitive entrance examination. Government colleges are usually a preferred destination for studying, though the number of seats available is limited, as is the number of colleges in comparison to private institutions. When opting for a private college, choose one that has an approval from the Dental Council of India.
Specialisation
A BDS degree alone is not considered enough to succeed in this profession so one will have to go for a master of dental science (MDS) degree. Continuous education is an integral and an essential part of this profile. Upgrading one’s knowledge is required even to self-practice. It’s is also important to be aware of developments in the medical field and pharmaceuticals. One can also pursue various certificate and diploma courses to upgrade and update the knowledge in this field.
Keeping up with trends of open and distance learning, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), in collaboration with the Dental Council of India launched two programs, a PG certificate course in endodontics and a PG certificate course in oral implantology.
Remuneration
Dentists invest a lot of money on their education and on costly equipment to set up private clinics. The basic equipment required to open a private clinic is expensive. However, the growth is steady and ongoing throughout their career. Earning has no boundaries, depending largely on the area of expertise and also treatment requirements of individual patients. At a government hospital, one could earn `25,000 to `35,000 per month to begin with. One could also join a private hospital as a consultant and command as much as `50,000. Some private hospitals also offer a commission, depending on the number of patients seen. Earning `1 lakh plus per month, within a year of practice as a dentist, is not uncommon.
Skills required
Communication skills – Dentists must have excellent communication skills. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients, dental hygienists, dental assistants and receptionists.
Detail oriented – Dentists must be detail oriented so patients receive appropriate treatments and medications. They must also pay attention to space, shape, and colour of teeth. For example, they may need to closely match a false tooth with patient’s other teeth.
Dexterity – Dentists must be good at working with their hands. They work with tools in a limited area.
Leadership skills – Most dentists work in their own practice. This requires them to manage and lead a staff.
Organisational skills – Strong organisational skills, including keeping accurate records of patient care, are critical in both medical and business settings.
Patience – Dentists may work for long periods of time with patients who need special attention. Children and patients with a fear of dental work may require a lot of patience.
Physical stamina – Dentists should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as bending over patients for long periods.
Problem-solving skills – Dentists must evaluate patients’ symptoms and choose appropriate treatments.
Director Alpha Mindz
manu@alphamindz.com