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Dental Specialties
Although general dentists can deliver most dental care, a patient may need care from a specialist. About 80 percent of dentists are general dentists, and 20 percent are specialists. The American Dental Association recognizes these eight dental specialties.
Endodontics
Endodontists save teeth with root-canal therapy, which involves the soft inner tissue (pulp) of the teeth. They can diagnose the causes of sensitive or painful teeth and may use non-surgical and surgical techniques to treat them. They also treat teeth that have suffered traumatic injuries, like cracks, or that have been evulsed (knocked out).
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral and maxillofacial pathologists identify disorders that affect the mouth and facial region. They research and diagnose conditions using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Often called oral surgeons, these specialists have a diverse role. They remove teeth, including wisdom teeth, and place dental implants. They perform surgery that involves the functional and aesthetic aspects of the facial bones, jaws and overlying soft tissues. They use intravenous sedation or general anesthesia in either a hospital or office setting. Oral surgeons also treat injuries to the head, jaws and facial areas. They diagnose and treat oral and facial lesions, which often include cancer.
They are the primary providers of orthognathic surgical procedures (aligning upper and lower jaws). They also treat TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders.
Orthodontists and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontists evaluate growth of the dentofacial structures. They diagnosis malpositioned (crooked) teeth and orthognathics (improperly formed jaws). They treat these problems in children and adults by straightening teeth with braces. They work as a team with oral and maxillofacial surgeons and others to diagnose and treat orthognathic patients. They also work closely with pediatric dentists to diagnose and treat malocclusions (dental abnormalities such as an improper bite).
Pediatric Dentists
Pediatric dentists (pedodontists) have special training in treating children. They provide care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special needs.
Periodontists
Periodontists diagnose and treat disorders of the supporting structures of the teeth - the gingival (gums) and bony tissues. They offer non-surgical and surgical treatment and may place and maintain dental implants. They often diagnose and treat diseases of the mouth and diagnose and treat temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD).
Prosthodontists
Prosthodontists diagnose and treat patients who need crowns, bridges and partial or complete dentures. They provide diagnosis and restorative work for patients who have had dental implants placed by other surgical specialists. Some prosthodontists may place and maintain dental implants themselves.
Public Health
Public-health dentists treat dental diseases and promote dental health through government-controlled efforts in a community.
Dental Emergency Tips for Vacation Travel
The following tips are only temporary emergency measures for when you are away from home, and are not treatment suggestions. Pack these basics for your trip: aspirin or a substitute, gauze, cotton, floss and paraffin. If a dental problem arises, call your own dentist for advice or a referral, call a local or state dental society, or ask a hospital emergency room to recommend a dentist. If you're out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate, or ask hotel personnel to refer you to a dentist.
Dental emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. Being prepared can make the difference between handling a dental problem and resuming your fun, or having plans ruined. You should go to a dentist's office or an emergency room if needed. But here are some tips on managing possible dental problems until you can get treatment.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth well with warm water and gently floss between the teeth to remove any trapped food. Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek if there is swelling and take a pain reliever. Never place an aspirin directly on the tooth or gum.Broken tooth
Rinse with warm water, apply cold compresses to the cheek and get to a dentist as soon as possible.Knocked-out tooth
Rinse the tooth lightly in running water but don't scrub it, and touch it as little as possible. Put the tooth back in the socket and hold it firmly in place. If you can't re-insert the tooth, keep it in a glass or container of milk or a special tooth preserving solution available at your local drug store. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes, if possible, to improve the chances of the tooth being saved.Objects wedged between teeth
Gently remove the object with floss and avoid cutting the gums. Do not use a sharp instrument.Lost filling
Cover the cavity with paraffin, and take aspirin as needed.Bitten tongue or lip
Put direct pressure on the bleeding area with a clean cloth and apply a cold compress to minimize swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to a nearby hospital.Possible fractured jaw
Immobilize the jaw by any means, such as a handkerchief, necktie or towel tied around the head, and go to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible.
Baby Boomers Remain Unaware of Link Between Oral and Overall Health
Baby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouths that should signal alarms about their overall health. According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), 63% of baby boomers (ages 45-64) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition were unaware of the symptom’s link to the condition.
The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease increases with age. Researchers believe that these diseases often manifest themselves in the mouth.
Consider the following:
- According to the American Diabetes association, 90 to 95% of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, the onset of which usually occurs after age 45. Bad breath and bleeding gums are often indicators of diabetes. However, only 29% of the baby boomers surveyed were aware of this connection.
- The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 44 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis, particularly menopausal and post-menopausal women, yet 97% of baby boomers do not discuss this risk with their dentists, even though dental x-rays may show the first stages of bone loss.
- The American Heart Association reports heart disease is the leading killer of Americans and when people reach the age of 45, their risk of developing heart disease triples. A sore and painful jaw should send a warning signal to older Americans that a heart attack might be looming, but 60% of them did not identify these symptoms as warning signs of a potential heart attack.
While baby boomers may lack knowledge about these links, they are not lacking experience with these symptoms; a quarter of them reported that they had exhibited one of them.As research strengthens the link between oral and overall health, baby boomers need to pay attention to oral symptoms that may indicate early signs of potentially life threatening diseases and discuss them with their dentist.
Peer Review
The West Coast District Dental Association Peer Review
Mediation Program
Your Options for Resolving Complaints
One of the goals of the West Coast District Dental Association members is to provide you – the patient – with personalized attention and the highest quality dental care possible. But, even in the best dentist-patient relationship, problems may occur.
First, talk frankly to your dentist about any concerns you have. Often, you and your dentist will be able to resolve any problems. If for some reason you cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue, or if you believe your dentist has not provided you with the best quality care possible, there are still options. You may decide to have the dispute mediated through the WCDDA’s Peer Review Mediation Program.
The WCDDA Peer Review Mediation program is available if your dentist is a member of the West Coast District Dental Association. Mediation is voluntary and is designed to resolve problems between dentists and patients in a fast, cost-effective manner.
Only cases involving problems with actual treatment and procedures are eligible for mediation. Cases not eligible for the Peer Review Mediation Program include malpractice litigation; formal regulatory investigations; disputes over dental fees; treatment that occurred more than 12 months before the patient’s last appointment with the dentist; and cases involving dentists who are not WCDDA members.
If your case is ineligible for the WCDDA Peer Review Mediation Program, you may wish to explore alternatives. These include but are not limited to, consulting with an attorney, which may result in a malpractice lawsuit; complaining directly to the Florida Board of Dentistry (850-488-0595); dropping the complaint; contacting the dentist directly; and /or contacting another consumer-services organization. The WCDDA cannot advise you about which course of action, if any that you should take.
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration has a web site aimed at giving consumers and health professionals quicker acess to information on FDA-approved drug products including prescription, some over-the-counter and discontinued drugs.
Drugs@FDA http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/ is a searchable database
on drug approvals and is accessible at the FDA website www.fda.gov
Men Lag Behind Women in Oral Hygiene Habits
According to the findings of the American Dental Association, women take better care of their teeth than men. Women are more likely to brush after every meal or twice a day. The survey also revealed women are more likely to have a dentist than men.
American adults have slightly increased their brushing habits to twice a day or after each meal to 78% in 2003 compared to 75.4% in 1997. The largest statistical jump in brushing frequency after each meal went from 11.5% in 1997 to 24.8% in 2003. Adults are also flossing and using interdental cleaners more often.
The American Dental Association recommends:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss Daily!
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between meal snacks
- Visit your dentist regularly.
