The American Dental Association recommends that dental visits begin no later than a child’s first birthday to establish a “dental home.”

Despite everything we know about importance of oral health to overall health, people’s self-esteem and to their employability, state and federal policies continually sell dental care short.

•  Most states spend two percent or less of their Medicaid budgets on dental services.
•  Only 16 states offered substantive coverage for adult Medicaid enrollees in 2007.
•  An estimated 164 million work hours are lost each year due to oral disease.

The American Dental Association is committed to improving the nation’s oral health through public education and through legislative advocacy to strengthen funding for dental services provided through public health programs.
Together, we can work to improve America’s oral health and give all of us something to smile about.

The level of education and clinical training required for a dental degree, and the high academic standards of dental schools are on par with those of medical schools, and are essential to preparing dentists for the safe and effective practice of modern oral health care. Most dental students have earned Bachelor of Science degrees or their equivalent, and all have passed rigorous admission examinations.
• First two years - students must complete such same curriculum as other medical students biomedical science courses as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, immunology and pathology.
• Second two years - coursework focuses on dental clinical practice, diagnosing, and treating oral diseases.
• After earning their undergraduate and dental degrees (8 yrs. for most) dentists continue their education and training and some achieve certification in one of nine recognized dental specialties.
• Upon completing their training, dentists pass rigorous national written examination, state, and/or regional clinical licensing exam to practice. As a condition of licensure, they must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers, to keep them up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments.

Advanced Education in General Dentistry provides emergency and multidisciplinary comprehensive care in multiple environments and care for patients with special needs (5–6 years program)

Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Dental Anesthesiology delivers pain control services for emergency and comprehensive, multidisciplinary care in hospitals, dental offices and surgery centers (6 yr. program)

Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Oral Medicine Act as primary care providers for patients with chronic, medically-related conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region (6 yr program)

Advanced General Dentistry Education Programs in Orofacial Pain Provide interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary health care to patients with orofacial pain (6 yr. program)

General Practice Residency Emphasis on care of patients with complex health conditions or special needs, hospital dentistry and coordination with other health providers (5–6 years program)

Dentists’ check other areas not only their patients’ teeth and gums but also the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas. During a comprehensive exam, dentists examine the teeth, gums, also look for lumps, swellings, discolorations, ulcerations—any abnormality. When appropriate, they perform procedures such as biopsies, diagnostic tests for chronic or infectious diseases, salivary gland function, and screening tests for oral cancer. Dentists can spot early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere in the body. Dentists’ training also enables them to recognize situations that warrant referring patients for care by dental specialists or physicians.

The team approach to dentistry promotes continuity of care that is comprehensive, convenient, cost effective and efficient. Members of the team include dental assistants, lab technicians and dental hygienists. Leading the team is the dentist, a doctor specializing in oral health who has earned either a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, which are essentially the same.
The Dentist’s Role
Dentists are doctors who specialize in oral health. Their responsibilities include:
? Diagnosing oral diseases.
? Promoting oral health and disease prevention.
? Creating treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of their patients.
? Interpreting x-rays and diagnostic tests.
? Ensuring the safe administration of anesthetics.
? Monitoring growth and development of the teeth and jaws.
? Performing surgical procedures on the teeth, bone and soft tissues of the oral cavity.
? Managing oral trauma and emergency situations.
Dentists’ oversight of the clinical team is critical to ensuring safe and effective oral care. Even seemingly routine procedures such as tooth extractions, preparing and placing fillings or administering anesthetics carry potential risks of complications such as infection, temporary or even permanent nerve damage, prolonged bleeding, hematomas and pain.

Why Oral Health Matters-
According to the ADA, about 100 million Americans did not see a dentist in 2007, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease. Too many people believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or think something is wrong, BUT THEY ARE MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE! A dental visit means being examined by a doctor of oral health capable of diagnosing and treating conditions that can range from routine to extremely complex. Numerous recent SCIENTIFIC STUDIES INDICATE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND A VARIETY OF GENERAL HEALTH CONDITIONS-including DIABETES & HEART DISEASE In response, the World Health Organization has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention efforts “as the risks to health are linked.”

The American Dental Association recommends that dental visits begin no later than a child’s first birthday to establish a “dental home.” Dentists can provide guidance to children and parents, deliver preventive oral health services, and diagnose and treat dental disease in its earliest stages. This ongoing dental care will help both children and adults maintain optimal oral health throughout their lifetimes.
As doctors of oral health, dentists must be able to diagnose and treat a range of conditions and know how to deal with complications—SOME OF WHICH CAN BE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING!

What if I’m pregnant and need a dental x-ray?
A radiograph may be needed for dental treatment or a dental emergency that can’t wait until after the baby is born. Untreated dental infections can pose a risk to the fetus, and dental treatment may be necessary to maintain the health of the mother and child. Radiation from dental X-rays is extremely low. However, every precaution is taken to minimize radiation exposure. A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and should be used when any dental radiograph is taken. A leaded thyroid collar can protect the thyroid from radiation, and should be used whenever possible. The use of a leaded thyroid collar is strongly recommended for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children. Dental radiographs are not contraindicated if one is trying to become pregnant or is breast feeding.

How do dental X-rays work?
When X-rays pass through your mouth during a dental exam, more X-rays are absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such as cheeks and gums) before striking the film. This creates an image called a radiograph. Teeth appear lighter because fewer X-rays penetrate to reach the film. Tooth decay, infections and signs of gum disease, including changes in the bone and ligaments holding teeth in place, appear darker because of more X-ray penetration. Dental restorations (fillings, crowns) may appear lighter or darker, depending on the type of material used for the restoration. The interpretation of these radiographs allows the dentist to safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities

If you’re missing one or more teeth-you may notice a difference in chewing and speaking. There are options to help restore your smile.

Bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth.

Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, a fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist

An implant bridge attaches artificial teeth directly to the jaw or under the gum tissue. Depending on which type of bridge your dentist recommends, its success depends on its foundation. So it’s very important to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong.

•Tooth whitening ( bleaching) brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home.

•Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.

•Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.

•Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.

•Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should see a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.