What is Dentistry?

What is Dentistry?

MOUTH + MEDICINE + ART = Dentistry

Dentistry is a medical profession that involves treating the oral cavity.  In my experience you not only treating the teeth and gums, but your patient’s psychological state and wellbeing.  It is a profession in which a person gives you full trust to examine their head, neck, teeth and gums. Patients willingly open up their mouths to dentists, where they won’t for friends, family, or strangers.

A dentist performs dental procedures in a patient's mouth while he or she is fully conscious and numb with dental anesthesia.  It is a profession that takes skill, patience, and an understanding of the human condition.  You have to have empathy, and be aware of yourself, your patients, and the situation around you to be a good dentist and caregiver.

Lets face it, in today’s world a smile is one of the first opportunities to make a good lasting impression. Not only that, but the teeth are very important to the function of both eating and speech. A beautiful smile contributes towards self confidence and encourages a healthy lifestyle.  A dentist helps in creating a beautiful memorable first impression which can contribute towards a lifetime of happiness for people.

The role of a dentist encompasses not only the teeth, but the mind and body.  The oral cavity is linked to the entire body.  When there is an infection in the oral cavity it can become systemic and travel to the brain, heart, or other organs, putting the sick at grave risk.  This is why dentistry is so important.  

Having a healthy oral cavity is the first line of defense against heart disease. From a preventative perspective, keeping a person's mouth healthy and pain free can help towards a healthy holistic body and mind. 

As a dentist you come across many different types of patients with varying personalities at different life stages.  People open up to their dentists, and you have to know how to interact with your patients and treat them. Therefore, psychology is a big part of dentistry.

Lastly, dentistry is a profession that helps contribute towards beautiful pain free smiles.  By promoting oral health in patients you are contributing to happy and healthier lifestyles.  Your patients will be able to smile confidently, eat pain free, and interact positively in society.

Pursuing the field of dentistry can be a daunting task if your parents are not dentists, or you do not know anyone closely that is a dentist.  GYOD is here to help encourage you to pursue dentistry if that is your desire.  Several dentists are the first in their families.  What all dentists share in common is a the willingness to help people, and if that is what you desire then dentistry is a professional field you should pursue.