Video: Want to become a dentist?
Editorial Team0|0Last Updated:10:00 am, October 07, 2012
Most students who want to become dentists need to decide by the time they are in secondary school.
Students will need to look out for announcements on dental entrance tests. These tests are conducted by both states and institutes.
Tip: Most dental entrance tests are few months before courses begin in medical schools.
A Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is five years and is under the Dental Council of India.
After graduating, dentists become practitioners. Others go on to do specialized degrees.
Dentists can find employment in dental hospitals, nursing homes, NGOs. Some can be found in MNCs and PSUs.
However, most graduates usually open their own practice as it is seen to be more lucrative.
A dentist’s job
There is never a typical day in a dentist’s life – some days will be more stressful than others.
A dentist performs the preliminary examination. Putting a patient at ease is crucial as dentists deal with patients from children to the elderly.
Dentists should be patient as one will be required to repeat the basics of dental hygiene to every second patient.
What dentists do:
Although the most common problem that dentists encounters is gum disease, dentists also
- Detect diseases
- Diagnose diseases affecting teeth, tongue, lips and jaws by using MRIs and computers
- Undertake surgery to repair, restore and maintain teeth, oral tissues damaged by disease or accident.
- Cosmetic procedures: improve appearance
- Spread awareness on dental hygiene
There are also opportunities to update skills through workshops organised by the Dental Council of India and other bodies.
This is a secure career which is less stressful than medicine but offers financial rewards.
Image courtesy: photos.com
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