CAREER IN DENTISTRY

Dentistry is concerned with all health problems afflicting the mouth, teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. It is accepted as a professional field which includes dental care and correction.

Dentistry is changing rapidly, creating many opportunities and challenges. To an extent, it includes cosmetology where corrective treatment is involved. Dentists improve patients' appearance by using a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures. With an increasing awareness of the importance of oral health and the introduction of new fields like periodontics (care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them), oral pathology (diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth) and orthodontics (straightening and aligning teeth and jaws) have all enhanced the scope of this field.

The main specialization areas of Dentistry are:

• Orthodontics - deals with straightening and aligning teeth and jaws
• Periodontics - specializes in the care of gums and the diseases that might afflict them
• Operative Dentistry or Endodontics - root canal jobs, fillings and cosmetic surgery
• Prosthodontics - involves the making of artificial teeth
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - deals specifically with operations on the mouth and jaw
• Pediatric Dentistry - for treating children
• Oral Pathology - provides the diagnosis for diseases that affect the mouth

Job prospects

• In dental departments in hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and health departments as well as teaching departments in dental colleges.
• In the Research and Advisory functions of a pharmaceutical and other companies producing oral care products and medicines like toothpaste, mouth wash, gum care products, etc. Self-employment is also a promising avenue.
• One can start his/her own individual practice. Many dentists prefer to be in private practice, as it provides the best financial prospects as well as greater independence. Private practitioners work either alone, often setting up a clinic on their own premises, or in partnership with colleagues, sharing resources and overheads.
• In dentistry one can also take up work as a Dental Hygienist, Dental assistant or as a Dental consultant to models and film artists which could fetch a lot of money.

The Job

• Provide surgical, medical and other forms of treatment for oral and dental disorders and diseases by examining teeth and mouth of the patients
• The core function of a dentist is prevention & treatment of diseases related to the oral cavity, including the floor of the oral cavity, 'roof' of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue etc
• Educating patients about oral hygiene and ways to preserve a healthy mouth and prevent dental problems
• Conduct procedures such as filling, crowning and scaling of teeth, extracting teeth, treating gum diseases and fitting artificial replacements
• Cleaning of the patient's mouth and teeth; corrective work to align or straighten teeth; dentures i.e. the making and fitting of false teeth and preventive work
• Handling injuries or other irregularities of the teeth and jaw
• Perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery
• Using a variety of techniques and procedures such as computers and magnetic resonance imaging.

Personality Traits

• Manual dexterity and accuracy
• Keen eye for detail
• Ability to memorize and recall scientific facts
• Comprehensive medical understanding
• Cool temperament
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and logical reasoning skill
• Artistic and aesthetic sense
• Patience and stamina to work hard for long periods
• Good health and keen power of concentration

Salary and Earnings

• In government hospitals, freshly trained dentists could begin around Rs 6,000 a month (including allowances), while in private hospitals it could be from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. Postgraduate degree holders can expect to start on Rs 7,000 upwards.
• Dental surgeons can earn good money through their own practice. The consultation charges could be Rs.500 upwards for cosmetic filling and can be as high as Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 depending upon the nature of dental problem the patient is undergoing.

Study Routes
Class XII  with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
After class XII: Candidates who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% marks are eligible for admission in the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS) course.
To practice as a dentist one must need at least a Bachelor's degree in Dental Science (BDS). There is no specialisation at the bachelor level. If you want your career to grow, then you will have to be a specialist with a Masters (MDS) degree.
Selection: Admission to graduate courses in dentistry is through a general, nationwide competitive examination. The All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Exam conducted by the CBSE is common for both the MBBS and the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS). The allocation of institutions is based on merit. Other than the centrally run medical institutions there is at least one dental college in most states, where admission is governed by domiciliary status.
There are also private colleges which under the management quota admit students on an all India basis. But to be eligible for practice, one must ensure that the course chosen is approved by the Dental Council of India, Aiwan-E-Galib Marg, Kotla Road, Temple Lane, New Delhi – 110002
Phone: 91-11-23238542, 91-11-23236740, Website: http://www.dciindia.org/

Duration: The BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) degree programme is a 4 years course divided into 4 parts each of 1 years duration, followed by one year of rotating internship. Subjects such as basic anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and microbiology are covered in the first two years. Specialization in dentistry and hands on training are provided in the last two semesters. Those who have completed the BDS should be registered to practice dentistry by the Dental Council of India.

After BDS: An MDS (Masters in Dental Science) requires two years of additional training.

The annual fees for BDS may range from Rs.1 to 3 lakhs and the private institutions under management quota may charge Rs. 5 to 10 lakhs as capitation fee.

Best Places to Study
In India

• Air Force Central Dental Establishment, Agram Post, Bangalore, (Karnataka)
• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 1, (Maharashtra)
• Chennai Dental College, Opp. Fort. Railway Station, Chennai 600003, (Tamil Nadu)
• College Of Dental Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 576119, (Karnataka)
• Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Afzalganj, Hyderabad 500012, (Andhra Pradesh)
• Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Chennai 600003, (Tamil Nadu)
• Govt. Dental College & Hospital, I.P.D., Mello Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001, (Maharashtra)
• Govt. Dental College, Fort, Bangalore 560002, (Karnataka)
• Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, (Kerala)
• Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla 171001, (Himachal Pradesh)
• J.N. Medical College, Department Of Dental Surgery, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, (UP)
• K.G. Medical College, Faculty Of Dental Sciences, Lucknow 226003, (Uttar Pradesh)
• Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Alapakkam Road, Maduravoyal, Chennai 602102, (Tamil Nadu)
• Military Dental Centre, Delhi Cantt. Delhi, (Delhi)
• Military Dental Centre, Kolkata, (West Bengal)
• Military Dental Centre, Lucknow, (Uttar Pradesh)
• Naval Dental Centre, INRS, Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, (Maharashtra)
• Patna Dental College & Hospital, Agankuan, Patna 800007, (Bihar)
• Punjab Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Amritsar 143001, (Punjab)
• University Of Lucknow, King George's Medical College, Faculty Of Dental Sciences, Lucknow 226003, (Uttar Pradesh)
• Venayaka Mission's Sankarachariyar Dental College, NH-47, Ariyanoor, Salem 636308, (Tamil Nadu)
• Christian Medical College, Thorapudi P.O, Vellore-632002, (Tamil Nadu)

Overseas
In USA – (www.f1study.com - for more information)

• Howard University 
• University Of Alabama - Birmingham  
• Loma Linda University CA
• University Of California - Los Angeles CA
• University Of California - San Francisco CA
• University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center CO
• University Of Connecticut - Hartford CT
• Nova Southeastern University FL
• University Of Florida FL
• Medical College Of Georgia GA
• Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville IL
• Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis IN
• Harvard University, Cambridge MA
• Tufts University, Medford MA
• Boston University MA
• University Of Detroit Mercy MI
• Creighton University NE
• New York University NY
• Suny (the State University Of New York), Buffalo NY
• Suny (the State University Of New York), Stony Brook NY
• Columbia University NY
• The Ohio State University OH
• Case Western Reserve University OH
• Oregon Health & science University OR
• Temple University PA
• Medical University Of South Carolina SC
• Meharry Medical College TN
• Texas Am University System Health Science Center TX
• Marquette University WI

In UK: (www.britishcouncil.org for further information)

• Birmingham University       
• Bristol University       
• King's College London (University of London)   
• Lambeth College       
• Leeds University      
• Liverpool University        
• Newcastle Upon Tyne University
• Queen Mary, University of London 
• Queen's University Belfast       
• Sheffield University  
• University of Dundee        
• University of Glasgow        
• University of Manchester

Source: Compass One

Date: 8th Dec., 2009

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