Dentist

History of the profession

The very first mentions of dental therapy are found in the history of Ancient Egypt. Tools similar to modern analogues have been found more than once in tombs. Many more Egyptian skulls with crowns on their teeth were also discovered there, and these were not only rich people. Judging therefore, it can be said that some types of dentistry were developed in Egypt. In addition, the first toothpaste was mentioned at the same time . It included:

ashes of the burnt entrails of a bull;
ground eggshell;
myrrh;
crushed pumice.

Then in the IV-V centuries. BC, the great Hippocrates became interested in this science. He recommended eliminating pain with a hot iron. At that time, many people suffered from toothache and did not understand how to deal with it. Fatalities from common flux were common, and during the time of Hippocrates, dentistry advanced several steps forward.

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The first toothbrushes appeared in the Middle East in 500 AD. And in the 4th century AD. e. found forceps used to pull out bad teeth. And also powerful drugs that relieve pain appeared: arsenic and opium. Therefore, people began to understand that there is no need to rush to remove teeth, but that they can be treated. So, in 659 the first fillings appeared.

This specialization developed, and already in Russia, during the reign of Peter I, the profession of dentist officially arose, and rapidly became popular among men and women. In 1881, the first educational institution appeared in St. Petersburg, which trained future dentists. Then such institutions began to open throughout Russia.

February 9 is considered to be International Dentist Day, which falls on the day of St. Apollonia. After all, it was she who accepted martyrdom for Christ. She was tortured with forceps, which caused hellish pain.

Types of dentist profession

The dentist profession is a fairly broad concept that combines several areas. For example, there is a general dentist, an orthopedic dentist, a dental surgeon, an orthodontist, a periodontist, and a pediatric dentist.

A dentist-therapist treats dental canals and caries, and also carries out artistic restoration of teeth using filling materials. Every dentist will say that it is easiest to save a tooth at the initial stage of destruction. However, today modern materials and tools make it possible to successfully cope with even the most seemingly hopeless cases. In this situation, much depends on the experience and skill of the doctor.

A periodontist treats inflammation of the gums, the soft tissue and mucous membrane that support and surround the tooth. Gums and teeth are a single system. Without healthy gums there can be no healthy teeth, and vice versa. Thus, a periodontist treats gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes), periodontitis (a complication of gingivitis) and other diseases.

The most unpleasant disease, according to the dentist, is periodontal disease, which occurs when the space between the gum and tooth becomes infected. In this case, the following symptoms occur - bad breath, pain in the gums. If this disease is not treated, then over time it will lead to the fact that the teeth will no longer stay in their sockets, will begin to loosen and fall out. When treating periodontal disease, the main task of the dentist is to stop the inflammatory process and restore health to the teeth and gums. For this purpose, medications are often used, but sometimes it is necessary to resort to surgical methods of treatment.

A dental surgeon treats teeth that cannot be cured with conservative methods. The surgeon removes teeth, cleans out the cavity between the gums and teeth (curettage) for periodontal disease, replants bone tissue (in preparation for prosthetics), removes cysts, etc.

An orthopedist is a specialist who specializes in dental prosthetics. In short, he is also called a prosthetist.

Prosthetists, as a rule, work with those patients who have already been consulted by a dentist, but the doctor did not consider it possible to restore the tooth with his own means. The prosthetist, in turn, offers the patient options for prosthetics and takes impressions of the teeth, on the basis of which the dental technician makes dentures. After this, the prosthetist tries them on, adjusts them and secures them in the patient’s mouth.

Today, a dentist can perform dental prosthetics in various options - crowns, inlays, bridges and implants. Removable dentures are also used, but over time they are used less and less.

An orthodontist specializes in correcting malocclusions. Malocclusion is a fairly common problem that is not only aesthetic in nature. An incorrect bite often interferes with the correct pronunciation of speech and, sometimes, becomes the cause of gum and tooth disease. During the consultation, the orthodontist selects special braces or aligners for the patient.

A pediatric dentist treats teeth for patients aged 0 to 17 years. At this age, the child’s teeth and jaws are at the stage of formation, so the task of the pediatric dentist is to take into account all the features of age-related development. The doctor not only treats dental caries, but also monitors the formation of the bite and teeth.

However, it is predominantly highly qualified dentists who go beyond their specific specialties. For example, a dental therapist can successfully combine his profession with the duties of a periodontist, that is, he can also treat gums.

Types of specialization

This type of activity is multidisciplinary and covers a wide range of activities. Therefore, modern science has divided this branch of knowledge into a number of specialized specialties:

Dentist-therapist . You can find out what this doctor does if a person has dental problems and pain. His responsibilities include a preliminary examination of the patient’s teeth and prescribing subsequent treatment. He also treats caries and inflammation in the oral cavity. After examination and diagnosis, the doctor refers you to specialized specialists.
Prosthetist . If the therapist did not cope with the task, then people come to this doctor. He deals with prosthetics and offers different options to patients. Then he makes a description, impressions of the teeth and adjusts them to the particular structure of the patient’s mouth.
Dental hygienist . Examines the oral cavity, removes plaque, polishes enamel and advises people on the prevention of dental diseases.
Orthopedist . It is based on the removal of distortions in the bite and the installation of different types of orthopedic dentures - removable, fixed and combined, and also corrects the position of the teeth in the oral cavity.
Surgeon . You cannot do without it, because there are cases when surgical intervention is necessary. The surgeon prepares the oral cavity for the upcoming procedure of inserting dentures. His competence includes jaw practice, treatment of wounds on the face and mouth, and jaw restoration.
Maxillofacial surgeon . The specialty of these doctors was complex operations of various types using general anesthesia and correction of the jaw area.
Pediatric dentist . In young children, baby teeth have certain characteristics, and working with them requires skills. In addition, the pediatrician must get along with children so that they are not afraid before the procedure.
Orthodontist . Unlike an orthopedist, he deals primarily with exceptional cases, anomalies, and deviations in the development of the jaw.
Periodontist . Specializes in the gums and soft tissues that support and surround teeth. Consults patients about bleeding gums, the appearance of tartar and plaque on teeth.

All these names, or rather, specialties, can be mastered at the Faculty of Dentistry of a medical university. The first 2-3 years are spent on general training, and then there will be training in a specific profession. It is for this that you need to pass the exam for the category.

Who is a dentist?

A dentist is a certified doctor with a completed higher medical education in the dental specialty, specializing in the prevention and treatment of diseases in the oral cavity, as well as the maxillofacial area.
The name of the profession comes from the ancient Greek στόματος (mouth, mouth). It is noteworthy that previously the dentist was called " dentist " (from the French dent "tooth"). It can be assumed that the name change occurred as a result of the expansion of the scope of the dentist’s activities. If initially such specialists treated only teeth, today they deal with teeth, gums, jaw, etc.

The dentist profession has existed since time immemorial. In particular, kits for tooth extraction and prosthetics have been known since the 2nd millennium BC; they learned to fill teeth in China in the middle of the first millennium AD, and false jaws made of durable wood date back in Japan to the beginning of the last millennium. Starting from the Middle Ages and up to the 18th century, teeth were treated by barbers - hairdressers. Tsar-Father Peter I also made his mark in the field of dentistry, who loved to personally pull out a tooth or two from his entourage. And this was not sadism, but enlightenment: in Rus' there were no dentists for a very long time, and they began to treat teeth precisely from the time of Peter.

Today, dentist is a broad concept that includes several narrow specializations:

dentist-therapist - conducts an initial examination, deals with sanitation (treatment) of the oral cavity, gums and teeth, in cases where the tooth can still be cured;
periodontist – treats inflamed gums;
dental surgeon – removes teeth that cannot be saved, deals with damage to the facial bones and jaw, removes tumors on the teeth;
orthopedic dentist - a prosthetist who places dentures and implants implants;
orthodontist – specializes in the treatment of dentofacial anomalies.

By the way, the latter specialty appeared in Russia relatively recently, since in our country for a long time they did not attach much importance to the correct bite and the formation of a beautiful smile.

It is not difficult to guess that the professional responsibilities of a dentist directly depend on their specialization. However, regardless of the direction of the dentist’s work, his job responsibilities include: examining the oral cavity, interviewing the patient for complaints, diagnosing the disease, prescribing treatment, medical procedures, measures aimed at preventing diseases, consultations.

History of the profession

The first to describe in detail the types of dental diseases in his scientific works was Hippocrates. He proposed removing unhealthy teeth using a hot iron. At that time, many people experienced significant discomfort from acute pain, and the mortality rate from simple flux remained very high.

After some time, knowledge about teeth and effective ways to care for the oral cavity began to develop rapidly.

Toothbrushes originally appeared in 500 AD. e, and tweezers, which were used to pull out unhealthy teeth - in the 4th century AD. e.

The most common drugs that could eliminate pain were considered to be arsenic and opium. Afterwards, people came to the conclusion that it was possible to treat a problematic tooth by eliminating exclusively the problem area. The date of appearance of fillings is considered to be 659.

Features of the profession

Today, this branch of medicine is in constant development: effective treatment methods and universal technical equipment are being developed.

The dentist profession is considered prestigious and difficult at the same time.

There is a risk of hearing loss due to the constant buzzing of the drill, decreased visual acuity, pain in the legs, because you have to systematically be in motion.

Responsibilities

I divide several categories of dentists:

The dentist-therapist heals caries, dental tubules, and installs fillings.
A periodontist fights inflammation of the gums and mucous cavity, including pulpitis and periodontal disease, using the necessary medications, and in some cases, surgical treatments.
A dentist removes unhealthy teeth, cleans the area between the teeth and gums, and, if necessary, replants bone tissue for subsequent installation of suitable dentures for the patient.
A dentist , also called a prosthetist. His responsibilities include taking dental impressions from which dentures will be made. Afterwards they are tried on, sized and secured in the client’s mouth. Currently, there are various types of prosthetics.
An orthodontist is a specialist in bite correction by installing universal aligners or braces on a patient.
A pediatric is a qualified professional who deals with patients under the age of 17 years. He treats caries and monitors the development of teeth and bite.

Currently, working as a dentist requires knowledge of various specialties.

Often, general dentists do not install dentures, but specialists from private clinics provide both treatment and prosthetics.

Skills and knowledge

A dentist is a specialist who is well versed in the anatomy and features of the human body, in particular the structure of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.

Also, the doctor must be competent in prescribing treatment, be able to professionally use technical equipment, navigate radiographs and know various diagnostic methods.

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What personal qualities should a dentist have?

A dentist , like any other doctor, works with people experiencing discomfort and pain, therefore attention and patience are the most important qualities of this specialist. In addition, the dentist must have the following personal qualities:

restraint;
tact;
stress resistance;
communication skills;
tolerance;
goodwill;
ability to listen and reassure;
responsibility;
accuracy;
neatness;
cleanliness.

We must not forget that dentistry, as well as medicine in general, is actively developing. Therefore, a dentist needs to constantly improve, read scientific works, new articles, and attend advanced training courses. In other words, there is no place in this profession for lazy people who do not want to learn something new. Well, since the dentist works with delicate technologies and high-precision small instruments, people with diseases of the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, impaired fine motor skills of the fingers and eye diseases will not be able to work in this industry.

Job Responsibilities

Even at the institute, immediately after admission, the student is prepared for future work and clearly delineates what will become his vocation.

Job responsibilities of a dentist include:

carrying out diagnostics and providing all types of dental services to the patient;
treatment of teeth, oral cavity and maxillofacial area;
preparation of dental and orthopedic instruments and their correct use for their intended purpose, adhering to safety precautions;
collection of biomaterial for analysis;
carrying out prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of caries;
correct removal, prosthetics and installation of fillings;
registration of medical documentation established by law;
compliance with job instructions.

These are mandatory items that require strict implementation.

Criteria for professionalism

A patient who knows practically nothing about this matter can evaluate the professionalism of a dentist using several criteria. They will help determine how correctly and efficiently the specialist performs his work.

First of all, rumors about a bad and a good doctor spread quickly. These are the ones you should pay attention to when choosing a dental clinic and specialist.

Supporting documents

Licenses, diplomas, certificates and other documents confirming the qualifications of a doctor must be provided upon request.

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Often, documents indicating the specialist’s achievements are framed and hung in the reception area. This way, every patient can easily familiarize themselves with them.

You should not stay long in a clinic where they refuse to provide any documentation. A good dentist takes pride in his specialization, professionalism, skill and success.

You should also pay attention to the last date of certificates of advanced training or a document on participation in a seminar. Dentists, like any doctors, are required to undergo various trainings, courses and attend various seminars every year.

This allows you to maintain your professionalism and keep abreast of the latest medical news, so that you can offer the patient several innovative and classic options for solving his problem.

Initial consultation

Going to the dentist is always an exciting step. At the first consultation, the specialist establishes a trusting relationship with the client and inquires about the general state of health.

When the doctor sees that the patient is very worried, he will definitely explain clearly how the treatment will be carried out, what it will require, and how painless the process will be.

A dentist from God must be tolerant, attentive, and hospitable. These qualities allow you to establish a trusting relationship with the patient, especially if a child comes for treatment.

Also, a dentist must have a number of qualities that indicate his professionalism. First of all, he carefully listens to all the patient’s complaints without interrupting him, conducts a thorough examination of the oral cavity, and the assistant records the examination results in the outpatient card.

In order to draw up a treatment plan , the patient is necessarily sent for diagnostics in order to identify certain contraindications, the degree of development of the disease and the presence of complications.

Treatment plan

Before starting treatment, the specialist must tell the patient several options, give advice on each of them, and determine the total cost.

The first consultation is considered an introductory one, when the doctor examines the oral cavity and develops a technique.

Before the inspection, the specialist must prepare all the necessary tools, wash his hands, put on gloves and treat them with an antiseptic solution. There must be a mask on the face.

Even despite how much education a specialist has and how many advanced training courses he has completed, the doctor always works with an assistant. The dentist should not be distracted by extraneous problems.

The specialist will definitely refer the patient for an x-ray. Only after studying the images can the doctor begin treatment.

When installing dentures or veneers, first of all, a complete sanitation of the oral cavity is carried out. This is necessary so that over time the teeth under already installed crowns do not begin to decay.

It is also important that the doctor must inform the patient about the need to make changes to the treatment plan. For example, when, after removing tartar, it is discovered that the nerve is damaged.

In addition, the absence of pain during treatment speaks about the professionalism of the doctor. If the doctor asks you to be patient a little, then you should change the clinic and the doctor.

Today, there are many painkillers that make the treatment procedure easier.

Requirements for a dentist

In addition to the clearly limited responsibilities that define the work of a doctor, there are also qualification indicators that are used to guide the employment of specialists.

People who:

have a diploma with higher medical education, a certificate of a certain specialization;
passed a medical examination and received a medical certificate;
have experience in this field;
have computer skills;
presence of responsibility, sociability, attentiveness and accuracy.

Personal qualities and skills are no less important for this profession. These include:

the presence of excellent coordination of movements, hand motor skills, excellent vision;
knowledge of human anatomy and physiology;
understanding the effects of medications used in dentistry;
ability to use specialized instruments, as well as an X-ray machine and interpret images.

It is inherent in a dentist to be a bit of a psychologist, to be able to communicate with nervous patients, to correctly explain the situation in order to relieve nervousness and calm the patient.

How to choose a dentist?

Choosing a clinic is only half the battle. It is more important to find a doctor who you can trust with your health and beauty. How to choose a good dentist?

The doctor’s qualifications, knowledge and experience play a decisive role. Therefore, choosing a dentist begins with studying the doctor’s portfolio and patient reviews of his work, which today can be easily found on the Internet.
Trust between patient and doctor is an important factor in the success of treatment. It is established only when both are pleasant to each other, including externally. If it seems that the doctor’s appearance is repulsive, if he is impolite and discourteous at the first meeting, and his words and actions cause antipathy, the situation is unlikely to change in the future.
If a free initial consultation is provided, this opportunity is worth taking advantage of. A visit to the doctor, firstly, will allow you to evaluate his office, the level of equipment, and compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards. Secondly, a good doctor will always propose a treatment plan at the first consultation, indicating mandatory and optional procedures and explaining to the patient the expected procedure.
Availability of an assistant. So that the doctor can fully concentrate on his work, he needs an assistant to complete documentation, prepare materials for work and perform other routine functions. If the doctor does this himself, he is forced to hurry and save time by working directly with the patient.

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Where do good dentists work?

There can only be one answer to this question: good dentists work in good clinics. Many patients go to an institution under the name of a doctor, so any center will be happy to hire a reputable doctor with many positive reviews. This means that qualified specialists have the opportunity to choose among employment offers.

A good dentist will always propose a treatment plan at the first consultation, indicating mandatory and optional procedures.

It is important for a doctor that he has the opportunity to use his skills, work on modern equipment and perform duties without being distracted by routine procedures such as filling out documents or searching for consumables for diagnostic equipment. Therefore, authoritative, self-respecting doctors go to work in clinics that are ready to create just such conditions for them.

Prices

There is a widespread belief that good dentistry is expensive, and good dental treatment services cannot be cheap. There is indeed some truth in this, but many clinics quite successfully maintain a balance between the price and quality of their services, providing them for a reasonable price .

Clinics do not always post prices on their websites, asking patients to find them out over the phone or even at a dentist’s appointment. It is good practice to post a price list on the website so that anyone can see the prices. In this case, the patient will understand in advance whether the doctors’ services are really affordable for him, and the medical institution itself will not lose a potential client.

Stock

Trying to attract customers, dental clinics hold various promotions. Some offer discounts on implantation, others offer hygiene services as a free bonus for those who regularly come for preventive examinations, and others provide family or corporate discounts.

There are many promotions, so customers have plenty to choose from. Some of them are beneficial for patients, while others cause only confusion. There are clinics that offer discounts for regular clients, and therefore finding “your” specialist can be profitable - everyone needs hygiene procedures, preventive examinations and treatment from time to time, which means that by remaining a regular client, you can save money.

Location and proximity to home

A dentist is the doctor for whom people are willing to travel to another area of the city, spending a lot of time on the road. Finding a good dentistry near your home is truly a stroke of luck, and therefore those who are not ready to waste energy on traveling to doctors should do serious work by analyzing information about clinics located nearby.

It is possible that after studying all the collected data, it turns out that the dentist closest to home is the best option. Many are confident that spending time and effort searching for and studying information about medical institutions is an absolutely correct approach that will pay off in the future.

Reviews

The opinion of those who have already been treated in dentistry may be a decisive factor in your choice. When you are concerned about finding the right doctor or the right place to solve your dental problems, it makes sense not only to study reviews on the Internet, but also to interview your friends. It is likely that colleagues or neighbors have long been looking for the right place that meets most of the important parameters.

When looking through reviews on the Internet, it is worth reading what they write about the establishment on popular recommendation sites, in Google reviews, and on thematic forums. However, it is worth remembering that reviews may not be real: good ones can be written for money, and bad ones can be the machinations of competitors.

Principles of training

If you decide to become a dentist, then you need to understand that this profession is very responsible. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a medical education.

Those who are interested in dentistry are wondering: how long to study to become a dentist and what is needed for this. To enter a university, you must:

complete 11 grades in a secondary school;
pass the appropriate exams in biology, chemistry and Russian.

It is necessary to understand whether a person is ready for this profession. To obtain a specialty in this field, you need good study and a specific goal, as well as the ability to find an approach to even the most picky and harmful patients.

Salary and place of work

As mentioned earlier, the profession is in demand and profitable. Therefore, dentists have a wide choice of places to work:

public and private clinics;
dental offices;
sanatoriums and children's institutions.

Factors that affect wages are length of service, qualifications and region.

Salaries in the specialty range from 30,000 to 100,000 rubles, and in large cities you can earn much more. As practice shows, in private clinics the income is much different compared to public clinics. On average, it is 45,000 rubles.

Resume sample

To find a job faster, you need a resume that can be sent to several companies at once. You need to know how to compose it correctly.

The resume must include:

Full Name;
Date of Birth;
contact details: phone, email;
citizenship;
experience;
basic and additional education;
professional skills;
knowledge of languages;
personal qualities.

The resume should be simple and understandable; there is no need to write or invent a lot, because then in practice all the qualities and abilities of the specialist will be assessed.

The difference between a dentist and a dentist

A dentist is a dentist who is a paramedic. This concept is more commonly used abroad; in some countries it simply has not taken root.

This profession differs in the type of education. You can study at a medical school, college and get a secondary education to become a dentist, but dentists only need a higher education. Accordingly, their specialization will be different.

Advantages and disadvantages

As in any profession, it is not the subject that matters, how much dentists earn, but the positive and negative nuances.

The positive aspects of working as a dentist include:

qualifications are in demand in all countries of the world;
high profit payment;
normal working hours;
Private practice is possible when you have a lot of experience.

There are also negative indicators that should not be forgotten. The negative aspects include:

greater responsibility for the patient;
high cost of training;
possible stressful situations at work;
competition;
expensive equipment and tools;
the need to constantly improve skills;
working with different people.

Dentistry is a kind of art that has always been considered a prestigious profession. Therefore, every year students enter universities for this specialty in order to learn and then work and receive high wages.

Pros of the profession

High profit payment

It's no secret that dentistry is one of the most expensive areas of medicine. Therefore, the payment for the work of such a specialist is appropriate. Depending on the institution, a dentist can receive about 1000-1500 BYN. In private clinics, this amount can reach three or even four thousand if the doctor has extensive experience and works with complex cases.

Kudos

Dentists are highly respected in many circles. This is primarily due to the fact that every person wants to have a trusted specialist nearby who can easily cure an unexpectedly painful tooth or put a filling.

High demand

New vacancies for dental clinic specialists are constantly appearing on the labor market. These can be both requests from government agencies and offers from private clinics. Over time, having accumulated enough experience and finances, you can even open your own medical center.