A dentist is a healthcare professional who diagnoses, prevents and treats various diseases and conditions that affect the teeth and the mouth. The dentist plays an essential role in maintaining the oral health of the citizens of the society. Dentistry in a specialized field and requires a lot of training and experience. Dentists usually study for six years or more to become qualified to practice. Dental education and regulations differ from country to country.
Dentistry has been in existence ever since the dawn of human civilization. Archaeologists have found several examples to attest to this fact. For example, archaeological finds relating to dentistry have been found in almost all ancient civilizations. Dentistry was practiced in the Indus Valley Civilization more than 4000 years ago. Other ancient civilizations such as Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia also had knowledge of dentistry. However, modern dentistry came into existence only in the recent years due to advances in other fields of science such as chemistry, life sciences and computers. Today, the field of dentistry is a specialized field and so a number of options available to us.
Dentistry is an amalgam of a number of different fields. Dentistry borrows heavily from medicine in terms of surgical techniques and diagnostics. It also borrows from material sciences, computers and other fields. To some extent, the fields of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry overlap. This is what makes dentistry an integral part of the modern healthcare system.
The teeth and the mouth are an integral part of the human body. It would not be possible to maintain a healthy body without maintaining proper oral hygiene. This is where the services of the dentist become indispensable. The dentist not only diagnosis and prevents dental problems, but also plays a crucial role in raising awareness about dental health. He enables the common man to know more about the various conditions that affect the teeth and also take informed decisions.
It is essential to choose the right dentist to maintain complete oral health. If you are looking for a dentist, the best way to start is to ask for suggestions from your friends and coworkers. Alternatively, you can also search online databases to locate a dentist near you. While choosing a dentist, you should take into account his or her qualifications, expertise and attitude.