Dentists as Healthcare Professionals

The Role of The Dentist as A Healthcare Professional

Pulling teeth was once the task of a barber, as were blood-letting and various other minor surgical tasks that account for the red and white colours of the traditional barber’s pole which are said to represent blood and bandages. Today, however, teeth and their problems are the responsibility of a dentist, a highly qualified medical professional who is required to display the skills of both a physician and a surgeon. Those who choose this profession are qualified doctors but, following their undergraduate degree, they will complete their postgraduate studies at a college of dentistry rather than at a medical school, in order to attain a B.D.S. or B.Ch.D degree.

Once in possession of a degree, a dentist may then choose either to practice general dentistry or to seek a residency in order to prepare themselves for certain speciality practices such as orthodontics or periodontics, while others opt for a career in oral surgery. Students who choose the latter option face four to six years of additional study, while a residency can normally be completed in two. 

Clearly, dentistry has come a long way since the opening of the world’s first dental college in 1840 and the skills of its practitioners have been vastly extended with the help of materials science and numerous advances in technology. While many people still fear a visit to the dentist, the reality is that new techniques, much-improved instruments, and more effective anaesthetics have been very successful in minimising the pain and discomfort that, for those of previous generations, was widely regarded as par for the course.

However much the skills of the dental practitioner may have evolved, it is not always possible to see one when you most need to. They are generally very busy and obliged to operate a strict schedule of appointments. Even when you do secure an appointment, it could still emerge that your needs can only be met by referral to a dentist with specialist knowledge of your condition. In an emergency, when perhaps you may be experiencing excruciating pain, it is not always an easy matter to find the professional help you urgently need.

To overcome these common difficulties, Intercare has established a chain of conveniently located medical centres at which a variety of primary-care and specialised services are available to patients, even at times when other practices are closed. So, for example, if you should need the services of a dentist, most Intercare centres have facilities for general dental services, teeth whitening, implants, and oral hygiene, to name just a few, and you can book your appointment either by phone or online.