DENTISTRY

Dentistry is the study of medicine which deals with the practice of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the mouth, the maxilla, and the face. It generally encompasses very important practices related to the oral cavity. The most common treatments involve the dental surgery on the teeth as a treatment for dental caries. It usually involves filling decayed teeth with dental amalgam, dental composite, dental porcelain and precious or non-precious metals. Dentistry a very much lucrative profession, is concerned with all health problems afflicting the mouth, teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. It has been accepted as a professional field which includes dental care and correction. Dentists help people maintain their oral health and appearance.

• The work of dentist mainly is based on clinical, bacteriological tests or X-rays. Scaling, cleaning and fluoride therapy is also provided by a dentist.


• Repairing teeth damaged by decay or trauma and rebuild tooth structures for functional or cosmetic reasons and help in providing crowns and bridges.


• A dentist designs dentures i.e. he is an expert in making and fitting false teeth.


• A dentist also treats diseases of the roots, gums and soft tissues of the mouth and carries out various surgical procedures. He also fills cavities in the teeth. Routine check ups are done as preventive measures every 6 months to make sure we are taking good care of our teeth and that our teeth and gums are healthy. A significant part of a dentist's job involves educating patients to maintain a healthy mouth.


• Dentist can also be a leader for the dental care team in future with experience and expertise. Dentists also take up the job of cosmetic surgery like replacements of artificial tooth with the natural teeth. So the dentist is kind of combination of the professional man and a mechanic.

In India there is a highly energetic community of 80,000 dentists, offering world-class standard service to one billion population. The dentist ratio of 1:300,000 in the 1960's is replaced in this profession by the ratio of 1:22,000. Government hospitals and establishments treat 25% to 30% of the population for their dental ailments, while the remaining seek treatment through private clinics.



Numerous career opportunities exist in the field of dentistry as hospitals, dental clinics and nursing homes need the services of dentists.

• Set up a private clinic or start a dental lab


• Work in a government hospital or a private institution.


• Work as a lecturer in any reputed dental college.


• Work in the research and advisory departments of a pharmaceutical or may be any other company producing oral care products and medicines like toothpastes, mouth washes, gum paints, etc.


• Solve great mysteries by entering the realm of forensic dentistry.


• Work as a dental consultant to models, film actors, artists and prominent figures.


• Research on subjects like Oral cancer and diseases related to mouth and teeth.

In Government hospitals, freshly trained dentists could begin with around Rs 6,000 a month (including allowances), while in private hospitals it could be from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. Postgraduate degree holders may expect to start on Rs 7,000 upwards. Dental surgeons can earn good money through their own practice. The consultation charges could be Rs.500 upwards for cosmetic filling and can be as high as Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 depending upon the nature of dental problem the patient is undergoing. A well-established dentist can make around Rs.20, 000 - 1,00,000 or more per month.



Qualifications
The first dental school in India was started in 1924. Today, there are 185 dental schools with 13,000 students graduating each year. 58 schools have Post Graduate Courses in various areas of dentistry. Qualitative dental education and practice is regulated by the Dental Council of India, which is constituted under an Act of Parliament. There are tremendous opportunities which exist for foreign universities and dental schools for accreditation courses, visiting faculty members, and participation in Continuing Education Programmes.

Candidates with 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, securing at least 50% marks are eligible for admission in the Bachelor of Dental Science. The BDS degree is obtained only after 4 years of training followed by one year of internship. The Master's degree needs usually two years of specialized training. The following courses are also available:

• Certificate Course in Dental Hygiene


• Certificate Course in Dental Mechanic


• Certificate Course in Endodontics


• Certificate Course in Orthodontics


• Courses in Cosmetic Dermatology and Cosmetology


• Diploma in Dental Assistance

The specialization areas of Dentistry are mainly Orthodontics which deals with straightening and aligning of the teeth and jaws. Periodontics specializes in the care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them. Operative Dentistry or Endodontics is for root canal jobs, fillings and cosmetic surgery. Prosthodontics involves the making of artificial teeth. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery deals specifically with operations on the mouth and jaw. Pediatric Dentistry treats children and Oral Pathology provides the diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth.

• Army Dental Corps as Armed forces recruit dentists directly through UPSC and Staff Selection Commission for states. Candidate interested in teaching work can find the job of a Professor or an Associate Professor, with a required qualification in the Dental Colleges.


• Dental Council of India is a Statutory Body incorporated under an Act of Parliament viz. The Dentists Act, 1948 (XVI of 1948) to regulate the Dental Education and the profession of Dentistry throughout India and it is financed by the Govt. of India in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Department of Health) through Grant-in-aid.

An urge to serve people for good health, the ability to stand for long hours, manual dexterityare some of the requisites. Should be maintaining right attitude relationships quickly with people of all age. Ability to infuse confidence in nervous patients, especially children, work as team, power of concentration, Accuracy, an excellent memory, good scientific temper are also a must. Today Dentists must have an artistic sense besides scientific knowledge. Besides these they must have a keen eye for detail, ability to memorize and recall scientific facts, comprehensive medical understanding, cool temperament and strong interpersonal skills. The best dentists are skillful communicators and their analytical and logical reasoning skill should be above average.



The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) degree programme is a 4 years course divided into 4 parts each of 1 years duration, followed by one year of rotating internship. Subjects such as basic anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and microbiology are covered in the first two years. Specialization in dentistry and hands on training are provided in the last two semesters.



Those who have completed the BDS should be registered to practice dentistry by the Dental Council of India. An MDS (Masters in Dental Science) requires two years of additional training. The annual fees may range from 1 to 3 lakhs and the private institutions under management quota may charge 5 to 10 lakhs as capitation fee.



Admission to graduate courses in dentistry is through a general, nationwide competitive examination. The All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam conducted by the CBSE is common for both the MBBS and the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS). The allocation of institutions is based on merit. Other than the centrally run medical institutions there is at least one dental college in most states, where admission is governed by domiciliary status. A merit waiting list up to a number of 1 to 2000 is made on the base of marks obtained in the Exam. The candidates are assigned their merit list and choice. There are also private colleges which under the management quota admit students on an all India basis. But to be eligible for practice, one must ensure that the course chosen is approved by the Dental Council of India.

Dentistry Army College Of Dental Sciences, Mercury Lines, Thirumalagherry,Secunderabad - 500015. Andhra Pradesh, (Andhra Pradesh) Government Dental College & Hospital, Afzalgunj, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) NTR UHS Dental College, Andhra Pradesh, Vijayavada -520008, (Andhra Pradesh) Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi-110002, (Delhi) Goa Dental College & Hospital, P.O. Santa Cruz, Bambolim Goa-403005, (Goa) S.C.B.Medical College, Cuttack, Orissa-753007, (Orissa) College of Dentistry, Indore 452001,(Madhya Pradesh) Guwahati Medical College, Guwahati 781032, (Assam) Regional Dental College, Guwahati-781 032, (Assam) D.A.V. Centenary Dental College, (Haryana) Dental College, Medical Campus, Rohtak-124001, (Haryana) Maharshi Dayanand University Medical College, Rohtak-(Haryana) S.M.S.Medical College, Jaipur-302 001, (Rajasthan) Dr.R.Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, 114, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata-7000 Christian Medical College, Brown Road, Ludhiana-141008, (Punjab) Guru Nanak Dev Dental College & Research Institute, Lakhmirwala Road, Sunam - 148028, (Punjab) The Buddhist Mission Dental College & Hospital which is near Siddhartha Nagar, New Bailey Rd, Patna-800023, (Bihar) Patna Dental College & Hospital, Agamkuan, Patna-800007, (Bihar) Government Dental College And Hospital, Ahmedabad- 380016 which is Affiliated to Gujarat University), (Gujarat) Govt. Dental College, Jamnagar-361008, (Gujarat) Rajah Muthiah Dental College & Hospital Annamalainagar 608002 (T.N.) Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital which is on Alapakkam Road, Maduravoyal, Chennai 600095 Modern Dental College & Research Centre Nainod, Gandhi Nagar, Airport Road, Indore (M.P.) Govt. Dental college & Hospital Near T.B. Hospital Subhash Nagar, Jaipur 302016 (Raj.)

Dental Council of India,
Aiwan-E-Galib Marg, Kotla Road,
Temple Lane, New Delhi – 110002
Phone : 91-11-23238542, 91-11-23236740 Fax: 91-11-23231252,
Website: https://www.dciindia.org



A dentist's job is to help the patients to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth. This requires an examination of the mouth and teeth when there is a problem, and the preparation and execution of plans for the treatment and restoration of teeth. The main work of a dentist involves treatment of diseased mouths and gums; extraction of teeth that cannot be saved, or might spread an infection to the rest of the mouth; fillings in the treatment of cavities; Surgery of the mouth and jaw; replacement of extracted teeth through surgery or other processes; cleaning of the patient's mouth and teeth;

corrective work to align or straighten teeth; dentures i.e. the making and fitting of false teeth and preventive work which involves routine check-ups for both adults and children.Dental Assistants and Hygienists in addition to assisting the dentist do a variety of procedures such as clean and scale teeth, place temporary fillings, does other specific tasks including taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), sterilizing instruments and equipment and making impressions of patients' teeth,etc. Apart from this the Forensic Departments also needs good dentists who are involved in identification of deceased persons through dental remains, bite mark analysis and examination of oral facial structures for determination of injury, possible malpractice or insurance fraud.

Pharmaceuticals and other companies, which usually produce dental and oral care products, require dentists for research and advisory works.

One more option is to take up work as a Dental Hygienist, Dental assistant or as a Dental consultant to models and film artists.

Self-employment is also a lucrative avenue and one can become a private practitioner.Apart from this, dentists could also work in the Research and Advisory functions of pharmaceutical and other companies producing oral care products and medicines like toothpaste, mouth wash, gum care products, etc.