Change in the roles of Dentists
How the Role of the Dentist Has Changed
There is evidence that a crude form of dentistry was practised as far back as 7 000 BC. However, it was not until 2 000 years later that the first Sumerian texts describing extractions and tooth decay appeared. At this time, it was believed that the latter was the result of an infestation of “tooth worms” – a myth that was only disproved in the 18th century when a French surgeon defined a system of dental care, introduced the concept of fillings and prostheses, and attributed dental caries to the acids derived from sugar. During the middle ages, it had been common practice for barbers to provide the basic services of both a surgeon and a dentist and only with the establishment of the world’s first dental school in Baltimore, in 1840, did dentistry gain the status of a specialised medical profession.
Generally, few people paid much attention to their teeth until they began to experience toothaches. It was only after Colgate released the first mass-produced toothpaste in 1873 that the need for dental hygiene started to gain more acceptance. Despite this, brushing was only widely adopted after the Second World War. Since then, there has been a virtual revolution in the field and those in practice at that time would probably never have anticipated the amazing options available to the dentist of today.
Today, the emphasis is on preserving and restoring a patient’s teeth wherever possible, rather than resorting to extractions. Patient’s, in turn, have become more conscious about the appearance of their teeth, prompting the orthodontists to develop new and improved methods for straightening crooked teeth, while the demand for whitening procedures and veneers has been increasing steadily. A new automated 3D imaging and computerised milling technology known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) has even made it possible for the modern dentist to fabricate ceramic crowns and other dental restorations while the patient waits. Finally, for those who might prefer not to be fitted with conventional full or partial dentures, there is now the option to have implanted prosthetics to replace any missing teeth.
Among the various private healthcare facilities available from the Intercare Group is a chain of dental centres. Each staffed by experienced professionals, they provide a full range of services from routine dental care, to more specialised procedures, including orthodontics, endodontics, and dental implants.
In addition, the Intercare dental centres offer a range of oral hygiene services, including scaling and polishing, teeth whitening, root planing and debridement, and customised preventative maintenance programmes. Just a phone call is required to secure an appointment with a well-qualified and experienced dentist.