Providing Comprehensive Dental Care Is the Role of General Dentistry

Are you one among the many that believe the visit to the general dentistry near you will only be warranted whenever you suffer from any pain? You are probably missing the bigger picture and restricting the role of the dentist to one that is relatively minor. A visit to the dental office means being examined by a doctor qualified on oral health and capable of diagnosing and treating conditions of routine or complex nature. Presently many people can enjoy excellent oral health and keep their natural teeth with them throughout their lives. However, everyone is not fortunate enough and is affected by problems like cavities which is still a chronic condition highly prevalent among children.

What Does General Dentistry Have To Offer Patients?

Gentle dentistry in Calgary, AB, promotes continuity of care that is convenient, comprehensive, cost-effective, efficient. Members of the dental team include dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians. The team is led by a dentist who has specialized in oral health and has earned a degree as a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

The Primary Role of the Dentist

Dentists are sincerely doctors that are specialized in the field of oral health. They are responsible for:

• Diagnosing oral diseases.
• Promoting disease prevention and oral health.
• Developing treatment plans for maintaining and restoring the oral health of their patients.
• Interpreting diagnostic tests and x-rays.
• Monitoring the development and the growth of the teeth and the jaws.
• Performing surgical procedures on the teeth, the soft tissues, and the bone in the oral cavity.

The dentists also need to oversee a clinical team to ensure safe and effective oral care is provided to patients. They cannot overlook even routine procedures like teeth cleanings, tooth extractions, administering anesthesia and placing fillings. They must be prepared at all times to combat any potential risk of complications such as infections, temporary or permanent nerve damage, prolonged bleeding, and pain.

Teeth and Gums Are Not the Only Responsibilities of Dentists

General Dentistry in Calgary does not limit their area of care just to the teeth and gums of the patient. During routine examinations, they also look at the muscles of the head, jaw, neck, tongue, salivary glands and the nervous system of the head, neck, and other areas. When conducting a comprehensive exam the dentists are looking for lumps, swellings, ulcerations, discolorations and the other abnormality. When required they are also prepared to perform procedures like biopsies and diagnostic tests to identify chronic or infectious diseases and conduct screening tests for oral cancer. Dentists specialize in treating oral conditions but are also able to identify problems in other parts of the body and can spot early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere. The training dentists receive enables them to recognize situations that require them to refer the patients for care by dental specialists or physicians.

Clinical Training and Education

The level of clinical training and education to earn a dental degree combined with the high academic standards set by dental schools are similar to those of medical schools and are essential for preparing the dentists for the effective and safe practice of modern oral healthcare. Dentists must have earned a bachelor of science degrees or their equivalents and must have passed rigorous examinations which they would have been subjected to. Dental and medical schools both have the same curriculum for the first two years and it is only after the two years that dental students are provided coursework focusing on clinical practice to diagnose and treat oral conditions. After completing their education and obtaining their degrees after eight years many dentists continue their education and training to specialize in a particular field that is also beneficial for dentistry.

How General Dentistry Is Helping Overall Health

Many scientific studies have indicated an indication between oral and overall health and different types of health conditions. The studies have led to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combine oral health into its list of chronic disease prevention efforts as the links between oral health and overall health are evident. Despite the knowledge about the immense efforts being made by dentists and other governing bodies federal policies are not paying proper attention to this requirement and in particular dental care. Professionals in general dentistry in Calgary or even near you may be making all the efforts necessary to promote good oral health but the need to understand a requirement of the same rests upon people that have to make a concerted effort to get the help they need from general dentistry whenever it is required.