It has become very imperative to educate the public about the field of Dental Surgery (Dentistry) as very many people have a vague understanding about it, including many Physicians who should even know better than the unenlightened public.

Dental surgeons/Dentists graduate from Medical schools with a Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) as Doctors, after very grueling training in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS exams) and Dentistry/Dental surgery (BDS exams), spending not less than 6 years for UTME students and 5 years for Direct Entry students. Dentistry is the only specialty of Medicine (Surgery) that has carved out its own niche hence candidates begin specializing from undergraduate while studying Medicine Alongside.

Dental surgeons are different from other paramedics or dental auxiliaries who are trained in schools of Dental Technology and Therapy (Such professionals include, Dental technologists, Dental therapists, Dental Nurses etc). Many mistake these for Dentists, they are not, however, they assist the Doctors and are also very relevant in delivering good oral health.

The following are Postgraduate Specialties under Dental surgery (of the West African College of Surgeons or National Postgraduate Medical College):

1. Oral and Maxillofacial surgery: These surgeons are concerned with surgical excisions of tumors in the mouth, jaws and face, and also the surgical reconstruction of the defects created afterwards. They are also concerned with repair of congenital defects (e.g cleft lip and palate, bifid tongue, and numerous syndromic defects). They are also concerned with orthopedic surgeries of the maxillofacial region following accidents which results in fracture of the jaws or facial bones. TMJ disorders or dislocations etc etc.

2. Oral and maxillofacial pathology: These are Dental surgeons and Pathologists who study in microscopic Details the diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region and aid in diagnosis. Such as tumors and numerous lesions (e.g ameloblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, pleomorphic adenoma and numerous other odontogenic, salivary gland diseases, fibro-osseous lesions etc) and their histology.

3. Oral Medicine: These are Dental surgeons and Physicians who study and treat numerous oral mucosal diseases (white and red lesions like leukoplakia, erythroplakia etc), burning mouth syndrome, lichen planus etc etc, and also treat oral manifestations of systemic diseases and infections affecting the mouth and the body at large, with medications.

4.Periodontology: Periodontologists study and treat diseases of the periodontium (gum, periodontal ligaments, cementum, alveolar bone) like gingivitis and periodontitis, and also other ulcerative gum diseases (e.g acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, etc). This treatment may be surgical or non surgical. May also involve bone regenerative procedures and plastic surgeries. They also place and maintain dental implants on the jaws (implantology).

5. Orthodontics: Orthodontists are specialists who correct numerous malocclusions or mal-aligned teeth and Jaws using orthodontic appliances (wires, attachments, auxiliaries and other removable orthodontic appliances). They are also called Dentofacial orthopedic dentists.

6. Pediatric dentistry: Paedodontists treat oral and dental diseases in children such as trauma, eruption cysts, and numerous other diseases and carry out endodontic surgical procedures such as pulpectomies, pulpotomies, pulp capping procedures etc

7. Restorative Dentistry: These specialists or endodontists diagnose and treat diseases within the tooth such as reversible or irreversible pulpitis, caries, by fillings or Root Canal Therapy or certain perio-endo procedures.

8. Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists replace missing tooth or teeth, or maxillofacial structures by diagnosing and studying various edentulous ridges and its classifications, and fabricating dentures or other prosthesis (e.g jaws).

9. Community dentistry: These doctors focus on prevention of orodental and maxillofacial diseases.

10. Oral and Maxillofacial radiology: These are dentists who take radiographs of the maxillofacial region (e.g cephalograms, orthopantomograms, apical radiographs etc) and also study it and make diagnosis.

Other areas of Dentistry are; Geriatric dentistry, implantology etc. Not so renowned in Nigeria yet.

NB: During residency, the doctors rotate in all of the specialties of dental surgery, Medicine and Surgery before finally settling for their specific area of Specialization after passing part 1 exam of the postgraduate school. After Passing part 2, the doctor becomes a Specialist and a Consultant. These trainings take up to 7 years or more to complete after the housemanship and NYSC.

Tell me, how do you maintain your dental health between regular visits to the dentist?

Mall:
Tell me, how do you maintain your dental health between regular visits to the dentist?

I regularly maintain my dental health by practicing a few important habits. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and using a rinse every day will help keep your teeth clean and prevent problems. I also follow healthy eating guidelines by limiting my intake of sweet and acidic foods. Regular consultations with your https://smilevegasdental.com/ dentist not only help identify problems in the early stages, but also inspires more careful oral care in your daily life.