The American Dental Association defines dentistry as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures of their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law. 

Overview of responsibilities

Dentists have earned at minimum a doctorate degree in dental surgery (DDS) and receive extensive training and education on the diagnosis and treatment of dental disease. Dental school education and training qualifies them to perform a variety of surgical procedures on the teeth, gums, lips and jaws. It helps them detect diseases such as oral cancer and educate patients about good dental health.

To maintain the highest quality of oral health care, the dentist must be the primary oral health care provider. All patients in Wisconsin should receive the same standard of care, beginning with a qualified diagnosis by a licensed dentist.

The goal of dentistry is to prevent and control dental diseases, the vast majority of which are infectious, irreversible and destructive. These diseases can only be diagnosed and successfully treated with the intervention of a licensed dentist and a qualified dental team.

Dental specialties

Most practicing dentists are general practitioners, yet some go for an additional two years of school (in addition to four years of dental school) to become a dental specialist.

There are nine specialties in dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). They are:

• Dental public health - Prevent and control disease. Promote dental health through organized community efforts.

• Endodontics - Diagnose and treat oral conditions caused by problems with the dental pulp (i.e., root canals). 

• Oral and maxillofacial pathology - Study the nature of diseases affecting the mouth.
  
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology - A new dental specialty. These specialists use imaging and associated technology for the diagnosis and management of a range of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws and related areas of the head and neck.

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery - Diagnose, surgically and otherwise treat diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth's tissues.

• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics - Supervise, guide and correct the growth of teeth and facial bones.

• Pediatric dentistry - Provide both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

• Periodontics - Diagnose and treat diseases of the gums.

• Prosthodontics - Restore and maintain the oral functions, comfort, appearance and health of patients by restoring natural teeth and/or replacing missing teeth with artificial substitutes (i.e., dentures).

Education

In order to become a dentist, although the steps may vary, you generally will need to do the following:

• Earn a college degree and take pre-dental courses in biology, chemistry and physics.
• Take and earn a good score on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
• Complete four years of dental school. An additional two years or more may be necessary if you choose to specialize.
• Take and pass national board exams and state licensure exams.

Dental schools grant doctoral degrees in dentistry. Dental programs in the U.S. must earn accreditation from the ADA every seven years.

Wage data

Source: Wisconsin's WORKnet, 2005
*Reflective of income for general dentists

Dental schools in Wisconsin

Marquette University School of Dentistry
1801 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
800-445-5385
www.dental.mu.edu

For more information

The American Dental Education Association publishes the ASDA Handbook, which contains more useful information on requirements for application and admission to dental schools in the United States. Additionally, ADEA offers a predental membership to individuals interested in a dental career. For further details, write or contact:

American Student Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60611-2687
312-440-2795 (direct)
800-621-8099, ext. 2795 (toll-free)
FAX: 312-440-2820
www.asdanet.org

More information on a career in dentistry can also be found online at ADA.org. Be sure to ask your dentist about a career in dentistry.