Dentistry and Oral Health

Dentistry is one of the sub-disciplines of medicine that studies, diagnoses, prevents, and treats diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity (mouth), particularly in dentition (development and arrangement of teeth) and oral mucosa, as well as adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in associated maxillofacial and dental conditions. Teeth, as well as other parts of the craniofacial complex, such as the temporomandibular joint and associated supporting, muscular, lymphatic, neurological, vascular, and anatomical structures, are included in the area of dentistry or dental medicine. The professionals of this field are also trained in such a way that they can handle medical emergencies in a clinical setting.

Dentistry is a term that refers to procedures that deal with the mouth. Oral diseases, according to the World Health Organization, are major public health problems due to their widespread incidence and prevalence, with the poor being more afflicted than other socioeconomic categories.

The bulk of dental treatments are performed to prevent or treat dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease, the two most common oral disorders (gum disease or pyorrhea). Restoration of teeth, extraction or surgical removal of teeth, scaling and root planing, endodontic root canal treatment, and cosmetic dentistry are all common treatments.

A dental team, which usually comprises a dentist and dental auxiliaries, performs dental procedures (dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, as well as dental therapists). The majority of dentists work in private clinics (primary care), dental hospitals, or institutions (secondary care) (prisons, armed forces bases, etc.)