Oral surgeries and regular cleanings are handled by a dentist, who is also known as a dental surgeon.
Dental specialists use surgery and other specialized techniques to identify and treat diseases, injuries, abnormalities, and deformities of teeth and related structures in the mouth and jaw.
This article contains all available information on dental specialists including job descriptions, duties, and requirements.
About Dental Specialist
A dentist or dental surgeon with extra training in a particular area of oral health is referred to as a dental specialist.
Orthodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons are some careers for dental specialists.
To be able to give patients specialized care, dental specialists focus on a single branch of dentistry like treating gum conditions like gingivitis as a periodontist, extracting teeth as an oral surgeon, and realigning patients’ teeth as an orthodontist.
Dental Specialist: Duties
Dental specialists often provide cleanings and more involved operations like root canals and cavity fillings to patients in dental offices or clinics.
They collaborate closely with dental hygienists to clean patients’ teeth and offer advice on possible treatments and hygienic habits.
Dental specialist duties include:
- Consulting with patients to address dental issues.
- Carrying out routine cleanings and other preventative procedures.
- Creating a plan for improved oral hygiene.
- Performing dental operations such as cavity fillings, root canals, and extractions.
- Addressing crowding and biting problems.
- Applying beneficial dental treatments, such as whitening agents or sealants.
- Prescribing drugs, such as antibiotics or painkillers, for dental issues
- Giving sedatives or anesthesia to patients before starting therapy.
- Placing an order for diagnostic tools like x-rays, models, etc.
- Examining and caring for teeth and mouth with the aid of tools like drills, probes, brushes, or mirrors.
- Keeping a record of the treatments individuals get and their dental health.
- Managing patient care while coordinating with other staff members.
Dental Specialist: Skills And Qualifications
Dental specialists need to have various skills and qualifications, such as:
- Attended a dentistry program accredited by a Commission on Dental
- Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree.
- Own a dental practice license from the state
- Patience
- Ability to interact with people about their care and health
- Excellent attention to detail
- Capable of using hands in confined situations
- An ability for problem-solving
You’ll have to add skills and qualifications while looking for a job as a dental specialist, which includes your prior education and experience.
Dental Specialist: Education, Experience, And Training Requirements
Dental specialist must first complete a bachelor’s degree, which must include biology and chemistry courses.
Dental specialist must have top grades, strong recommendations, complete an interview, and pass the Dental Admission Test to be accepted into dental schools.
Coursework and clinical training are combined at dental colleges to develop prospective dental specialist.
Candidates will get either a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree upon completing dental school.
Candidates must pass the National Board Dental Examinations as well as a state and regional clinical exam to obtain a license from the state.
After graduating from dental school and receiving their state-issued license to practice, a dental specialist can begin finding employment.
A dental specialist can get additional training to become a specialist after graduating from dental school, such as an orthodontist, prosthodontist, oral, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
These programs typically last at least two years and include both classroom and clinical work.
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Dental Specialist: Salary & Employment Outlook
The average annual salary for a dental specialist in the United States is $67,506, that’s like $32.45 an hour, $5,625 per month, or $1,298 each week.
Most dental specialist salaries range between $35,000 and $49,500, with top earners making $101,000 annually across the United States.
Since the salary varies, there may be numerous prospects for promotion and higher pay depending on one’s skill level, location, and years of experience.
Dental Specialist: Job Description
The daily job description of a dental specialist in a healthcare organization includes:
- Replacing broken teeth or removing them
- Repairing cavities
- Examining patients and examining x-rays to assess their health
- Creating treatment strategies to address any dental health concerns
- Administering or recommending drugs to treat patients’ conditions and lessen their suffering
- Engaging with patients and educating them about proper oral hygiene
- Measuring and putting dental equipment in place
- Providing restorative oral care, such as implants, intricate crown and bridge restorations, and orthodontics, and repairing damaged and decayed teeth.
- Providing oral surgical treatments, such as tissue biopsy and medication prescription, to restore oral function.
- Providing removable and fixed oral prostheses to restore oral function.
- Leading a dental team that may include dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants, and other dental specialists, and assisting in detecting general disorders like diabetes that have oral manifestations.
How To Become A Dental Specialist
Obtaining a license as a dentist is the first step required in becoming a dental specialist. A passing score on the Dental Admission Test and a scientific bachelor’s degree are requirements.
To obtain your state license as a practicing dentist, you must pass the National Board Dental Examination after graduating from dental school.
Finally, you need to finish two more years of post-graduate coursework in your area of specialization.
Then you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, expertise, and credentials necessary to carry out the obligations and duties of a dental specialist in the oral health area of your choice.
FAQ
Why do we refer to dental specialists?
When cases are complicated or call for specialized training, tools, or both, dentists frequently refer patients to specialists.
What are 3 duties of a dental hygienist?
Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth.
Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth.
Take and develop dental x-rays.
What are teeth specialists called?
A periodontics will treat tissue damaged by advanced gum disease while a general dentist will support the prevention of gum disease.
What is the best specialization in dentistry?
Implantology.
Pediatric Dentistry.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology.
Orthodontics.
Cosmetic dentistry.
What are the three major dental problems?
Tooth Decay.
Gum Disease.
Bad Breath.
What are the 4 dental quadrants?
Quadrant 1 (top right) Quadrant 2 (top left) Quadrant 3 (bottom left) Quadrant 4 (down on your right)
What is the most complicated dental procedure?
One of the trickiest dental procedures is implant placement, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Using local anaesthesia, the dentist will numb the area’s nerves while performing the procedure. There may be times when you feel pressure, but it won’t hurt.
What are duties of a dental assistant?
Answering phones and scheduling appointments.
Updating and maintaining patient dental records.
Overseeing patient check-in procedures.
Coding and preparing insurance forms.
Scheduling referral and testing appointments.
General office administration.
What are the 4 primary responsibilities of an industrial hygienist?
Carries out relevant occupational health and safety laws and guidelines.
Makes reports about the workplace and presents them.
Identifies hazards and suggests precautions and corrective measures that should be taken in response.
Performs additional related tasks as required.
What skills should a dental assistant put on their resume?
Interpersonal skills.
Listening skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Detail-oriented personality.
Excellent communication skills.
Professionalism.
Excellent dexterity skills.
Basic computer knowledge.
Conclusion
A licensed and certified dentist who has chosen to focus on a particular facet of oral health is known as a dental specialist.
Dental specialists must complete training in their chosen field at an accredited dental school after receiving a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.
If you meet the education, experience, and training requirements, you will be able to earn more money than the typical dental specialist position by being hired in one of the related positions.
Hope this article has answered all questions regarding dental specialist including job descriptions, duties, and requirements.
