A dentist is a doctor that is specially trained to help care for your teeth and mouth. You may know that a dentist is someone that works on teeth, but is there more to it? They are your partner in dental health care. They are educated to help and guide you to maintain your oral hygiene. Your oral health care plays a role in your overall health.
Read on to learn more about dentists and what they do.
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ToggleWhat Does a Dentist Do?
A dentist diagnoses and treats problems affecting the gums, teeth, and mouth and helps you to maintain and improve your oral health. Some of the procedures might include:
- Reviewing and assessing x-rays
- Checking the growth of teeth
- Repairing or removing damaged teeth
- Improving a person’s appearance with their teeth
- Filling cavities
- Talking to patients about their oral health
- Fitting for mouthguards for sports or nighttime wear
- Oral cancer screening and looking for signs of other health issues
- Ensuring the safe administration of oral sedation
- Managing dental emergencies and oral trauma
A Dentist Must be Licensed to Practice
Dentists must be licensed to practice dentistry. In British Columbia, this is through the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia. This assures the public their dentist is qualified and adheres to strict guidelines for practicing dentistry. When choosing a dentist, find one you know is licensed and registered to work in the field of dentistry.
How to Become a Dentist
A dentist will typically have at least 12 years of formal education. Starting with a bachelor’s degree, often in a science discipline, students will then apply to dental school at an accredited university. Admission can be very competitive. Programs will include clinical experience. Successful completion of the program will earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), or a Doctor of Dentistry (DDent) Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). Graduates will then need to pass an examination through the National Dental Examining Board of Canada to become licensed to practice.
There are also equivalency programs for international students where students are tested to ensure they meet Canada’s high standards.
After passing the exam, the dentist is able to open a dental practice and to begin serving patients by providing dental services
Working together
A dentist will generally work with a team in his office. A dental team may include a dental hygienist for scaling and polishing of the teeth and to provide cleaning recommendations, a dental assistant, and lab technicians to work on dental devices. Office staff support the dentist and help clients with booking appointments and managing their health and benefits accounts. Every patient will have a treatment plan.
Work With Dr. Beeram And His Team
Dr. Beeram is a compassionate dentist wanting to put his patients at ease with a family dental clinic near Delta, BC. Along with his general dentistry services, he also offers sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry such as dental implants, veneers or dentures, teeth whitening services, root canals, emergency dental procedures, and other customized dental care.
Visit our office to learn more about our personalized dental care and the services we provide. Contact Beach Grove Dental Tsawwassen at 604-943-9798 or schedule an appointment online.