A dental surgeon, or dentist, is an individual trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the teeth and gums, as well as to advise on preventive measures to ensure that these areas remain healthy. Dentists qualify after a four-year course at dental school and then register with the GENERAL DENTAL COUNCIL, which is responsible for maintaining educational and professional standards. Around 25,000 dentists practise in the NHS and private sector.
Most routine dental prevention and treatment is carried out in general dental practitioners’ surgeries, where the dentists also supervise the work of hygienists and dental auxiliaries. Appliances, such as dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances, are constructed by dental technicians working in dental laboratories.
Dentistry is divided into several groupings:
Concerned with primary dental care, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gums and teeth – for example, CARIES. They also deal with difficulties in biting and the effects of trauma, and are aware that oral disorders may reflect disease elsewhere in the body. They will refer to the hospital dental services, patients who require treatment that cannot be satisfactorily carried out in a primary-care setting.
Part of the public-health team and largely concerned with monitoring dental health and treating the young and the handicapped.
Concerned with the repair of teeth damaged by trauma and caries, and the replacement of missing teeth.
Concerned with the correction of jaws and teeth which are misaligned or irregular. This is done with appliances which may be removable or fixed to the teeth which are then moved with springs or elastics.
Perform surgery to the mouth and face. This not only includes removal of buried teeth but also treatment for fractured facial bones, removal of cancers, the repair of missing tissue, and the cosmetic restoration of facial anomalies such as CLEFT PALATE or large or small jaws.