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General Dentistry is the science concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and related structures of the mouth and including the repair or replacement of defective teeth. Dentistry involves the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (non-surgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. The World Health Organization defines Dentistry as "the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth".
A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Dental Science, or Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Chirurgiae or equivalent. In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.
General dentistry is the only non-specialty field of dentistry. General dentists typically do not focus their clinical practice on any particular discipline within dentistry, and instead provide basic care within a variety of disciplines. However, they can (and often do) further their training in one or more speciality areas (such as surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, etc.). Hence, there can be a great deal of variation between the level of skill in different disciplines from dentist to dentist, however all dentists must achieve a certain degree of skill in various disciplines in order to graduate from dental school and earn licensure. General practitioners, unlike specialists, have the luxury of choosing which services they will provide and which they will refer to specialists. It is important to note that most general practitioners perform restorative, prosthetic, routine endodontic therapy, routine periodontal therapy, and simple exodontia, as well as performing examinations. Others are comfortable treating more complex cases, as well as placing implants and extracting third molars, among many other procedures frequently referred to specialists.
Medical Opinions Associates can arrange the review services of dental experts for both dental malpractice and personal injury actions. One of our dental experts is in the practice of general dentistry and oral implantology in Michigan. He also has expertise in geriatric dentistry and is currently Assistant Professor, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, in a Michigan dental school as well as Associate Professor of Prosthodontics and Coordinator of Implant Dentistry. Another Medical Opinions Associates dental expert served in the Dental Corps in the military and is further certified by the TMJ Institute of America. Although a general dentist by clinical practice, he is also an oral surgeon and Prosthodontist. His practice includes TMJ dysfunction and oral implantology. Another dental expert in Florida is in the private practice of orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics, and TMJ Therapy. Our dental expert in New York is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry with post-graduate training in Endodontics. He is currently in private practice of General Dentistry and Endodontics in New York.
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