PERSPECTIVE IN DENTISTRY
Dentistry is divided into many branches known
as specializations.
Oral Medicine and Radiology
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Prosthodontics
Conservative dentistry and Endodontics
Periodontics
Orthodontics
Pedodontics
Oral Pathology
Community and Preventive Dentistry
ORAL MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY
 Oral medicine is the dental specialty
placed at the interface between
medicine and dentistry.
 It is a specialization concerned with the
non-surgical medical aspects of
dentistry. It is involved with primary
diagnosis and treatment of oral
diseases that do not respond to
conventional dental procedures.
 Radiology deals with the radiographs (x-
rays) of teeth and their related
structures.
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
 It is a speciality in dentistry dealing with
the diagnosis, surgical related
treatment of diseases and esthethic
aspects of the hard and soft tissues of
the head, neck, mouth, teeth, gums and
jaws.
 It involves, but is not limited to: dental
implants, odontectomy, epicoectomy,
TMJ disorder, facial trauma, corrective
jaw surgery, anesthesia and bone
grafts.
PROSTHODONTICS
 Prosthodontics, also know as dental
prosthesis or prosthetic dentistry.
 It is a branch of dentistry pertaining to
the restoration and maintenance of oral
function, comfort, appearance, and
health of patient by the restoring
natural teeth and replacement of
missing teeth and craniofacial tissues
with artificial substitutes.
CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY AND ENDODONTICS
 Conservative dentistry is the branch of
dentistry concerned with diagnosis,
prevention, and treatments of diseases
related to teeth and its associated
structures. It deals with the
conservation of teeth in the oral cavity.
 Endodontics deals with the tooth pulp
and the tissues surrounding the root of
a tooth. The ost common procedure
carried by this specialist is Root Canal
Therapy.
PERIODONTICS
 It is the study dealing with the
health and diseases of the
supporting and investing structures
of the tooth like the gums,
periodontal ligament cementum
and bone.
ORTHODONTICS
 Orthodontics, orthodontia, or
orthodonture (from Greek orthos
“straight or proper”; and odous
“tooth”) is the first specialty of
dentistry that is concerned with the
study and treatment of
malocclusions (improper bites),
 which may be a result of tooth
irregularity, disproportionate jaw
relationships, or both.
PEDODONTICS
 This discipline focuses intimately on
pediatric/adolescent growth and
development, disease causality, and
prevention, child psychology and
management, and all aspects of the
highly-specialized Pediatric
restorative techniques and
modalities.
ORAL PATHOLOGY
 It is a branch which deals with the
nature, identification, and
management of diseases affecting
the oral and maxillofacial regions.
COMMUNITY AND PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
 It is a dentistry branch which deals
with the dental public health. They
include epidemiological study on
oral health, carry out surveys of
local populations, conduct camp
and create awarenss among the
people about the preventive
aspects and maintaining oral
hygiene.
There are few sub categories which are gaining
more popularity in their building stage only.
They include:
 Implant Dentistry
 Cosmetic Dentistry
 Geriatic Dentistry
 Minimal Intervention Dentistry
 Laser Dentistry
IMPLANT DENTISTRY
 Dental implants are used to support
restoration or place the missing
tooth or group of teeth. These are
becoming more popular nowadays.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
 The term cosmetic refers to the
external appearance (beauty). A
cosmetic dentist work to improve
the appearance og teeth, gums, and
or smile of the patient. This is only a
term used for marketing purpose.
REMEMBER this is not a specialty of
dentistry.
GERIATIC DENTISTRY
 Geriatic dentistry or Gerodontics is
a branch deals with the older adults
involving the diagnosis, prevention,
and treatment of problems
associated with normal aging and
ae-related diseases as part of an
interdisciplinary team with other
health care professionals.
MINIMAL INTERVENTION DENTISTRY
 Is a modern dental practice of
conservative dentistry designed
with a principal of preservation of
as much of the natural tooth
structure as possible.
LASER DENTISTRY
 Dental lasers of different
wavelengths are used to treat
different parts of oral cavity
depending on the requirement.
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OF
A DENTIST
1. Private Practice
Individual or Solo Practice
 Means the dentist practices as a one-
man practitioner.
Parthnership and Group Practice
 Defined as, either one is a practice of
two or three or more dentists joined in
a cost-sharing arrangement to provide
improved service at a minimal cost.
Multi-located Practice
 In need of more clientele, a dentist may
apportion his time to serve other
locations.
 A difficult method of establishing a
practice
 Can be very expensive
Part-time Practice
 The practice is limited to a few hours
only.
2. Public Health Dentist
 Affords a novice dental practitioner a
grand opportunity whether in the
employ of the national or local
government.
3. Hospital Dentists
 Dentist practicing in a private hospital
4. Military Dentists (Dental Service
Militare)
 Dentists who wish to make use of their
specialized skills serving in the AFP
dental corps unit.
5. Industry/Company Dentist
 Dentist employ by private company or
industry in a full-time basis or
retainership.
6. School Dentists
 Dentists who seeks employment in a
private school/college or university.
7. Dental Education
 Dentists who opt to pursue a career in
teaching
 Requires education units in teaching
 Administrative skills and capabilities
8. Other Avenues / Opportunities
a. Dental Assistant
 A novice dentist who seek
employment to a private
dentist.
 Canserve as a buffer or period
of re-adjustment during which
one can acquire experiences
and evaluate private practice
opportunities.
 Dentists who wish to seek
employment abroad but are not
licensed to practice as dentists
in other countries.
b. Dental Researchers
 A dental practitioner who
choose to do research or
investiation in any dental field
or specialization
 Usually inside a University (local
or abroad)
Graduate Study
 Dentists opt for a limited
practice of on or two
specific fields.
 Requires to pursue a 3 to 4
years additional graduate
study such as Master of
 Science or Doctoral degree
in Dentistry (Edodontics,
Oral Surgery,
Prosthodontics,
Orthodontics, Pediatric
Dentistry, Periodontics,
etc.)

Heritage Practice

 Practice is retained in a family or class

of practitioner with the patient load
inherited by the beginner member.
 Ultimately, the latter takes over the
entire practice.

Dental or Medical Representative

 One who seek employent in major drug

companies and dental traders.

Dental Consultants

 One who is employed by a dental

company, laboratory and/or trader for
his/her expertise.

Foreign Employment

 Dentists
 Dental assistants
 Dental hygienists
 Dental nurse
 Dental technician