Dentistry & Dental Hygienist

Pearly whites are increasingly cropping up on people’s wish lists. Going to the dentist has become a necessary evil for many in the chase to obtaining a Julia Roberts style smile. The demand for dentists is undoubtedly growing, yet a recent report has indicated that entries into dentistry courses has not risen in conjunction with this, thus leading to shortages in the sector.

There are varying paths to consider within dentistry such as dental hygienists, technologists and dental nurses.  Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs; others specialise in areas such as orthodontics, which can prove to be extremely lucrative. Continuing advances in technology ensure that dentistry is an innovative and exciting field to work in.

Chief responsibilities facing dentists and dental hygienists are safeguarding the health of patients, promoting the welfare of the community and maintaining the honour and integrity of the dental profession. It’s a profession that is extremely rewarding professionally and financially due to the demand, altogether a clever career choice.

Education

Only two universities in the Republic of Ireland offer Dentistry: UCC and TCD. Both courses take five years to complete and require 550 points for entry. Candidates must also take two honours science subjects at Leaving Cert level.

Dentistry courses provide a very comprehensive theoretical and practical education in the dental arts. Topics include Oral Diagnosis, Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology, Orthodontics, Oral Medicine & Pathology and Oral Surgery. Students spend a lot of time in the laboratory, and by their third year, they are treating real patients in dental hospitals.

Dental Hygiene diplomas are also available at UCC and TCD. These are two-year diploma courses and the CAO points required are in the 500 range. Examples of subjects on the course are Infection Control & Immunity, Basic Preventive & Periodontal Care, Dental Radiography & Psychology and Social Concepts in Patient Care. Graduates should have the skills required for entry into the Dental Council’s Register of Dental Hygienists.

Options After Qualification
The majority of dental graduates enter a general practice as associates or juniors, while others enter the public dental service or join dental hospitals as house officers or registrars. The ultimate goal for most dentists is to set up their own practices.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate specialisation in a particular area (such as Orthodontics or Prosthodontics), while continuous education is a big part of a dentist’s life – processes are constantly being invented and refined, so dentists must keep their skills up to date.

The Work
The basic day-to-day work of a dental surgeon involves the filling, straightening, extracting, crowning and cleaning of patients’ teeth. They may also fit dentures and perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones in order to treat disease. Dentists must be proficient in the use of a variety of equipment, including drills and X-ray machines, and instruments such as forceps, scalpels, syringes, mouth mirrors, brushes and probes.

In the course of their work, dentists administer anaesthetic, write prescriptions for medication, and advise patients on oral care to prevent future problems. Depending on the job, they may have to perform administrative tasks such as equipment purchasing and bookkeeping.

There is plenty of scope for specialisation in the dental profession. Orthodontists are one of the major dentistry groups – they specialise in straightening the teeth and correcting the bite, often through the use of braces. Other specialists include maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists and paediatric dentists.

Dental hygienists can work alongside dentists in practices, or within the community dental service. Their duties include cleaning teeth by removing plaque and tartar, polishing teeth, taking X-rays, administering local anaesthetic under supervision of a registered dentist, and applying temporary coatings and sealants. Dental hygienists can also plan, implement and evaluate oral health promotional and educational activities for groups and individuals.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
Dentistry calls for a high level of intelligence, which is unsurprising considering the points needed to gain entry into a course. A good work ethic is a necessity for professional success, and an aptitude with technology is also helpful.

Due to the dentist-patient nature of work good people skills are also imperative.

Dentists and other dental professionals can work in a private clinic setting, or in a community centre, office or hospital. Clinic hours are typically nine to five, although dentists may need to be on-call for emergencies.

The Money
The basic salary for a new dentist is a healthy €45,000 per year. As your career progresses, this can rise substantially – a senior dental surgeon, for example, can earn over €80,000.

The Jargon
Prosthodontics: The replacement of missing teeth and related mouth or jaw structures by bridges, dentures, crowns or other artificial devices
Periodontology: The diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the mouth and gums
Plaque: A film of damaging mucus formed on the teeth by bacteria – always brush your teeth!
Gummy bears: Bears who eat too many sweets and don’t brush their teeth properly

Job Titles
Dentist
Dental Hygienist
Dental Technician
Dental Therapist

Further Resources
Dental Council of Ireland
57 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 676 2069
Web: www.dentalcouncil.ie
Email: info@dentalcouncil.ie

Irish Dental Association
Unit 2, Leopardstown Office Park
Sandyford
Dublin 18
Phone: 01 295 0072
Web: www.dentist.ie
Email: info@irishdentalassoc.ie

The Dental Health Foundation
26 Harcourt Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 478 0466
Web: www.dentalhealth.ie

Oral Health Services Research Centre
University Dental School & Hospital
Wilton
Cork
Phone: 021 490 1210
Web: http://ohsrc.ucc.ie/index.html
Email: oral_health@ucc.ie