Table of Contents
Introduction
Dentistry has come a long way, from the ancient “toothers” of Egypt to today’s modern Doctors of Dental Surgery. Although primitive dentists did not have access to resources such as electricity, X-rays, and even running water, they discovered ways to treat others, which today’s professionals make good use of (Carefree Dental, 2016). Nowadays, dentists have many options with regards to how they would like to put their skills on show – either as general dentists, or by becoming specialists in one of the nine specialties offered in their field of practice.
Requirements for Dentistry (SA)
Many people are interested in the field of Dentistry, but very few are ready to put in the effort to get the required academic record. A BChD degree, also known as a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), is a 5 year course – with 5 years being split into many different elements, such as lectures that target theory work, practicals that take place in labs, and exposure to a professional environment in a hospital that is affiliated with the dental school. After the completion of the degree, one has to register with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in order to serve people as a part of the health profession. If one wishes to broaden their scope of practice, specialization would be required for a specific sector in the dental field (Be A Dentist, 2017).
What work does a general dentist do?
Just like any ordinary country, finding a job in South Africa can be challenging, but this is no concern for dentistry graduates as jobs are spontaneously available after their 5 years in training are completed. This stands to reason due to the fact that the ratio of the population to the number of practicing dentists in the country is not sufficient – way too many healthcare patients compared to healthcare workers (Strachan et al., 2011) There are 2 types of general dentists, locum dentists and full-time dentists. A locum dentist fills up in place of a dentist who may be on leave due to personal reasons. Also, a dentist may locum a certain number of hours in a week to make up for their time away on vacancy. A full-time dentist, more common, works in one set practice without necessarily moving around, fulfilling the duties that a general dentist would be expected to uphold (Be A Dentist, 2017).
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Primarily focussed towards the prevention of oral disease, a general dentist is one of the very few health care providers that many people will see more than any other during their lifetime. These dentists place huge emphasis on preventing oral disease because, if left untreated, it may cause severe pain, followed by even severe consequences. At a regular visit to a general dentist, one gets a thorough intra- and extra-oral examination, followed by a teeth-cleaning, a general discussion about their dental health and how it may affect their overall health, and perhaps a filling or two if there is an indication of decaying teeth in need to be saved. It comes with no surprise that these are just a few of the many services that a general dentist would provide (Dental Plans.com, 2019).
General dentists offer a variety of services, including Preventative and Restorative Services, Cosmetic Procedures, and as well as provide treatment for overall health-related concerns. Preventative services involves the dentist preventing the spread of diseases in the oral cavity, whereas Restorative techniques would be offered to restore good health of the oral cavity, preventing any further damage. Examples of restorative services are treatment of dental trauma, placement of crowns, and even dentures. Cosmetic procedures, usually quick and non-painful, provide brighter smiles by means of teeth-cleaning, veneer placements, and many other techniques that provide an aesthetic look for the patient. Lastly, a general checkup of the patient’s dental (and overall) health allows the practitioner to pick up signs of diseases in the body by observing the oral cavity. Good oral health is a true reflection of good overall health (Be A Dentist, 2017).
Specialties in Dentistry (SA)
Out of the 9 specialties found in dentistry, 6 are recognised by the HPCSA, each of which requires a minimum of 3 years to complete, ranging from full-time to part-time. The 6 specialties include Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Maxillo-facial & Oral Surgeon (MFOS), Periodontics, Oral Pathology, and Community Dentistry (Health24, 2009). A specialist would be able to work beyond the scope of a general dentist, and perform procedures which a general dentist would not be able to uptake as it may require advanced techniques.
Orthodontics is a specialty which focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any irregularities of the facial, teeth and jaw structure. An Orthodontists patient group ranges from infants, all the way to seniors. Orthodontic treatment is usually long-lasting, with improved teeth and jaw alignment that allows better function, and as well as a satisfying look for the patient (Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 2013). Dentists undergo 4 years of advanced training before being given the title of an orthodontist.
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that deals with an area of dentistry known as restorative dentistry, a technique which involves the process of restoring structures which may have been removed due to bad oral health, or trauma. Restorative techniques include inlays, onlays, bridges, and denture construction. A Prosthodontist will also take up the role to construct and place certain facial structures that may be missing, such as a nose, eyes, ears and as well as diagnosing and treating some joint disorders (Health24, 2009). The duration of a prosthodontics degree is 4 years, with the final 3 years composed primarily of practicals which involve the construction of facial prosthetics.
A specialty handled by the very best, Maxillo-facial & Oral Surgery, deals with the identification and surgical treatment of injuries, diseases and facial malformations. Usually, general dentists would refer a surgical case beyond their scope to an Oral Surgeon, as advanced treatments need to be dealt with by professionals at the highest calibre. According to South African standards set by the HPCSA, in order to qualify as Maxillo-facial & Oral Surgeon, an extra 5 years in advanced training is required (Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 2013). A Maxillo-facial surgeon can sometimes treat more serious problems which an orthodontist can not, and also relieve pain from pain in the jaw due to Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ). Cosmetic surgeries which general dentist may find difficult to do, or may not have certain equipment to perform, can be done by an oral surgeon, the cost of which is hundreds of thousands (Community Dental Group, 2015).
A periodontist may seem like an ordinary dentist, but also require further studies as they perform advanced treatment, like placing implants in the jaws of patients. The ultimate job of a periodontist is to deal with diseases that affect the tissues that surround the root of the tooth, and to make sure that patients maintain healthy gums and teeth. The duration of specialization is 3 years (Health24, 2009). Another area of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and setting up treatment plans for oral diseases is oral pathology. An oral pathologist remains alert during general inspection of the oral cavity in order to pick up any sign of abnormal growths or chronic conditions. A specialist in oral pathology should have extensive knowledge on the prevention of disease transmission which may intervene with plans for treatment, and could affect the overall health of the patient if not dealt with accordingly (Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 2013).
Finally, a Community Dentist is a specialist who has undergone training for a duration of 4 years in an advanced programme. Community dentistry places a huge emphasis on public dental health, making sure that the state patients are provided with the best and affordable services, preventing diseases which provides for a good living (Health24, 2009).
Conclusion
Therefore, a general dentist and a specialist are both equally important in making sure that the patient’s overall health remains in-tact. The difference between the two lies in the scope of work being practiced in their daily lives, which comes as a result of further training after completing an undergraduate dentistry degree – which is how general dentists later qualify as specialists.
