A dentist is a dental surgeon who specializes in dentistry. In simpler words, a dentist is a medical professional who is skilled and licensed to practice the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations affecting the teeth, jaws, and mouth.
A dentist also diagnoses problems in the muscles of the head and neck, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas.
Pursuing a career in Dentistry is a lucrative career choice. Becoming a dentist requires a lot of hard work and dedication towards your education. The standards of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree are similar to those of a medical school. The Dental Council of India is the regulatory body that regulates Dental education in India.
Eligibility to become a Dentist
A student must have passed their 10+2 with science stream having a subject combination of PCB – Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks are eligible to become a dentist. Students must also clear NEET to get admission into dental colleges. NEET is a national level medical entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
To practice as a dentist a student must complete graduation in Bachelor’s of Dental Surgery (BDS) which is a four-year course followed by a one-year rotating Internship. After graduation, students may pursue the Postgraduate in Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), which is for three years in a specialised subject.
The different areas of specialisation are
as follows:
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Pedodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Community Dentistry
Apart from this students can also pursue
other Courses in Dentistry which include:
- Dental Hygienist Certificate
Course - Dental Mechanic Certificate
Course - Diploma Course in Dental Assistance
Top Colleges To Study Dentistry In India
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) – MAIDS is located in New Delhi. It is the best college for Dental Sciences in India. The college offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree in Dental Sciences.
- King George’s Medical University (KGMU) –KGMU is one of the renowned Medical Institutes in Northern India. The university is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The University offers multiple Medical courses including both BDS and MDS.
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS) – MCODS is one of the best College for Dental Sciences in India. It is located in Manipal, Karnataka. The institute has a well-organized placement team and gives Internship opportunities in top recruiting companies.
- Pt Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Sciences(PGIMS) – PGIMS is a government medical institution located in Rohtak, Haryana. The institution offers several Medical Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the medical sciences field.
- Institute Of Medical Sciences (IMS) – IMS is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Institution imparts education and training in the field of Ayurveda, Modern Medical Sciences and Dental Sciences.
Further reading: Top 10 Dental Colleges in India
Types Of Job Roles Dentist
After completing your Master’s of Dental Sciences there are plenty of Job Roles for a dentist in a different specialisation. Every specialisation plays a different role. The following are the popular dentist job profiles:
- Orthodontists – Orthodontists are Dentists that specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of alignment of teeth by putting devices or other dental appliances and provide services related to misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, Overbite, Underbite.
- Oral Surgeons – Oral Surgeons specializes in treating facial deformities. They treat facial injuries involving the oral tissues, jaws, cheek and nasal bones, eye sockets, and the forehead. An Oral Surgeon can also perform simple and complex tooth extractions, including wisdom tooth extraction
- Prosthodontists –Prosthodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prostheses. A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating the deformation of jaws and mouth to maintain a healthy oral function. They construct oral prostheses for the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth.
- Endodontists –Endodontists are skilled dental specialists in diagnosing and treating tooth pain, diseases of the dental pulp and performing root canal treatment. Their job role is to study the tooth pulp which includes blood vessels and nerves and to treat the root canals.
- Periodontists – A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases such as gums, tissues and oral inflammations and the placement of dental implants like the bone supporting the teeth. They are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.
- Pedodontists – A pedodontist is commonly called a pediatric dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the dental problems of children.
Employment Opportunities For Dentists
There are a wide variety of Employment Opportunities for Dentists in both public and government sector. Some of the common workplace to work as a dentist is listed below:
- Dental departments of
government or private hospitals - Nursing homes
- Dental clinics and health
departments - Teaching departments in Dental Colleges
and Institutes - Researcher in Pharmaceutical
Companies - Armed forces
- Indian Railways
- State Services
- Public Sector Undertaking
Dental Facilities
Why choose Dentist Company?
- Expertise: Dentist companies often have dentists with specialized expertise in different areas of dentistry, such as orthodontics or pediatric dentistry. This means that you can find a dentist who is qualified to meet your specific needs.
- Technology: Dentist companies often invest in the latest dental technology, such as digital X-rays and 3D printing. This can help to improve the accuracy and efficiency of your dental care.
- Customer service: Dentist companies are committed to providing excellent customer service. They want to make sure that you have a positive experience from the moment you schedule your appointment to the moment you leave the office.
- If you are looking for a dentist, I encourage you to consider choosing a dentist company. Dentist companies offer a number of advantages that can make your dental care experience more convenient, affordable, and efficient.
By – Koustav Banik
