What Duties Does a General Dentist Perform?

A while ago, the general dentist was equivalent to the local barber. General dentists were the town doctors and at times even accepted veterinarian duties. They dealt with all the problems regarding teeth and gums.

However, this is not the case anymore. Today’s general dentist near you is a qualified person who’s gone to school for many years to master the craft. To learn what it takes to keep people’s oral health in check takes quite some time. They no longer have to deal with all problems involving teeth and gums and specialize in specific areas.

More Than Teeth and Gums

You might think that dentists only specialize in problems regarding teeth and gums. That was in the past. A present-day general dentist also deals with issues regarding head and neck muscles, tongue, salivary glands, the head and neck nervous system and more.

When you come for a comprehensive exam at Erin Perry Canada general dentist clinic in SW, Calgary, our specialist will examine your teeth and gums and check for other abnormalities. They will scrutinize swellings and bumps, ulcers, discolorations, and other irregularities in the mouth and facial area.

A general dentist will also perform biopsies and diagnostic checks for chronic disorders and infectious diseases if necessary.

Additionally, the general dentist can also spot early symptoms in the mouth that indicate other infections in the body. Their training also enables them to refer patients to specialists who can best deal with their problems.

Clinical and Educational Training

Every general dentist must have a dental degree before being certified by the American Dental Association (ADA). The academic standards in dental schools are just like that in medical schools and are essential in preparing a dentist to practice safe and effective dentistry in modern healthcare.

Generally, most dental students have acquired a Bachelor of Science degree or an equivalent, and have already passed rigorous examinations and admission tests.

For all dentists, the first two years involve a similar curriculum as in medical schools. Dental students must also complete biomedical science courses, namely anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry, and immunology.

The next two years involve clinical training of the students. Here they will diagnose and treat various oral diseases under sporadic supervision.

Most dental students earn their undergraduate dental degrees after about eight years. They can choose to continue with their education afterwards or just set up private dental practices. Others go on to attain certifications in specialties such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics etc.

After completing training, a general dentist must undergo rigorous nationwide examinations, plus a state-administered clinical licensing exam to start a practice. They also have to meet the continuing education requirements for the rest of their careers. This helps to keep them in check with the latest scientific developments in the clinical field.

What Does a General Dentist Do?

The Saturday open general dentist is first in the line of defense in dental care. This is the person you will see most frequently as they help people with their teeth and gums’ general care. It’s advisable to see your general dentist twice a year, most preferably once after six months.

It allows them to monitor and discover problems with your teeth as soon as they arise before much damage occurs.

When visiting a general dentist, expect them to do the following:

• They monitor and evaluate how healthy your teeth and gums are. They do it through visual inspection or perform other tests
• Take x-rays of teeth to determine abnormalities of the teeth and gums
• Perform minor procedures, like correction of a cavity or damaged gums. The earlier these problems are detected, the easier they become to fix.
• Perform complex procedures, like when a cavity has developed too far. In such a case, your general dentist can use extensive methods to repair the damage. General dentists have the expertise to place crowns and perform root canal procedures to save an ailing tooth.
• Cleaning – Dental cleaning is one of the most critical practices in maintaining your oral health. The Saturday open general dentist near you can clean off bacteria and plaque build-up on your teeth and gums regardless of how much you brush or floss. They also offer fluoride treatment that further shields your teeth.