The Difference Between a Dentist And An Orthodontist

Many people get confused as to makes a dentist different from an orthodontist. This bewilderment is understandable because both deal with the teeth and are both doctors. Receiving the right treatment from the right dental professional is vital to keep one’s teeth and mouth in perfect health.

Both dentists and orthodontists focus on oral care. Dentists and orthodontists have undergone five years of education to obtain a degree in dental surgery. However, orthodontists spend three more years to earn the title of master of orthodontics.

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The differences lie in the way the two professionals provide oral care and deal with teeth and gums. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that places emphasis on strengthening the teeth and ensuring a person’s jaws are appropriately aligned. Orthodontists can practice in a dental office and deliver the same care as a dentist. Patients may be referred to an orthodontist by their dentist if they have an overbite. Orthodontists will be the ones to treat patients and improve their bite, (such as misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, overbite, and underbite) having them fitted for corrective braces and devices.

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Dentists normally encourage good oral hygiene. They provide services that relate to tooth decay, root canals, gum disease, bridges, crowns, veneers, and teeth whitening. Dentists are the ones in charge of doing general six-month checkups, providing treatments for fillings and extractions, and cleaning and polishing. Braces and Invisalign may be fitted by general dentists. However, they are not experts in the field of orthodontics.

Kami Hoss MS, DDS, is a sough-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists. For similar updates, click here.

Why Dental Assistants Are In High Demand

There has been a massive push for dental assistants lately, with 332,000 dental assistant jobs in the United States in 2016 – and growing. The projection is that these jobs will increase 19 percent from 2016 to 2025, faster than the average profession. But why are dental assistants in such high demand?

Oral health remains a top priority among many adult Americans. An American Dental Association (ADA) survey shows that 77 percent of adults plan to visit their dentist within the next year, while 85 percent feel the need to visit their dentist at least twice annually. A staggering 95 percent think regular dental visits are crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Being a dental assistant is therefore embarking on a fast-paced industry like dentistry. The duties and responsibilities are clear and valuable, from checking patient health status and preparing dental instruments and equipment, to providing post-treatment instructions and accomplishing office management tasks. Dental assistants are also tasked to contact patients and suppliers, as well as organize office data and records.

Ongoing research also continues to link oral health and general health, and this will likely continue to enhance the demand for preventive dental services. Dental clinics and offices will keep having the need for dental assistants to perform routine tasks and allow the dentists themselves to see more patients in their practice and take over more complex procedures.

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As the industry grows, there will be more openings for dental assistant positions, and the momentum will likely to continue for years and decades to come.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists and the chief executive of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. Read more on this site.