It’s common knowledge that dentists help people care for their oral health. But did you know that dentists also play a significant role in your overall health? Your oral health doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it influences other areas of health, and vice versa.
For example, cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, pneumonia and pregnancy complications are more common in people with poor oral health. Similarly, some health conditions, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can increase the risk of oral health problems.1 Dentists are trained not only to promote oral health, but also to look for signs of other health problems that can indicate that a patient should be evaluated by a physician.
If you’re intrigued by the role that oral health plays in a person’s systemic wellness, then pursuing a career as a dentist could be the right move for you. Some of the specific tasks that dentists typically perform include:
- Examining medical imaging studies of patients’ teeth, jaws and other oral structures to look for signs of a problem
- Administering local anesthetics, occasional oral conscious sedatives and general anesthesia
- Prescribing medications, such as antibiotics
- Filling cavities, repairing damaged teeth and extracting teeth that are not salvageable
- Applying sealants to protect teeth
- Creating impressions of teeth to fabricate dental appliances
- Delivering patient education, particularly about the importance of preventive oral hygiene
These are just a few of the responsibilities of a dentist. Dentists also evaluate patients’ bite patterns, measure gum pockets, screen for cancer and monitor the development of the oral structures. Of course, different types of dentists have different responsibilities.