Dentist (Tandarts)
Information on this skill...
A dentist is a doctor who has specialized in dentistry. Dentistry covers everything that has to do with the teeth and mouth, including the gums. In addition to treating possible dental problems, the dentist has an important advisory role to prevent dental problems. The work of a dentist is important for everyone, because poorly cared for teeth can cause major problems. Most people go to the dentist at least twice a year to keep their teeth in good health. The work that a dentist performs can be called very diverse, such as examining patients for possible abnormalities and / or diseases of their teeth, molars and mucous membranes, examining and determining possible gum problems and treating these possible conditions. A dentist is responsible for various activities, such as repairing teeth, anesthesia patients, pulling teeth, prescribing medications, taking X-rays and referring patients to specialists if necessary. A dentist will generally also use one or more dental assistants, depending on the type of dental practice. The placement of crowns and bridges is also part of the work of a dentist. As a dentist you perform quite a lot of different treatments independently, but it also happens regularly that you have to refer patients to specialized medical specialists and paramedics. Think, for example, of oral surgeons, orthodontists and dental hygienists. A dental hygienist is a paramedic, who is allowed to independently perform certain medical treatments under the supervision of a dentist. As a dentist, you also have to deal with other specialists.
A dentist is therefore a doctor who specializes in the health of teeth, molars and teeth. The tasks that a dentist has exactly all are diverse, such as checking for abnormalities of the teeth, checking for cavities, checking for rotten teeth, drilling teeth, filling cavities, giving root canals, cleaning teeth, locally anesthetizing, pulling teeth, taking X-rays, fitting crowns and bridges and placing them. In addition to all these professional treatments, a dentist will also advise patients and must keep all the records in his administration. The dentist usually has a dental assistant to support his work. As described earlier, a dentist also has to deal with various other professionals. Think, for example, of oral surgeons, orthodontists and dental prosthetists. A prosthodontist specializes in the fitting and manufacture of dentures.
WORKING AS A DENTIST
Nowadays, most dentists work closely with dental hygienists, who take a lot of work off the hands of the dentist. Because a dentist cannot perform all treatments independently, a dentist can also refer patients to an orthodontist, oral surgeon or general practitioner. Also for wisdom tooth extraction, there are quite a lot of dentists who refer their patients to the hospital, because the extraction of wisdom teeth can be major procedures. The technique and possibilities that dentists can apply nowadays are very good and certainly do not stand still. Innovation is therefore an important word in dentistry, so that patients can be treated better and with less pain. Because not everyone wants to go to the dentist, there are now also so-called anxiety dentists, where patients can possibly be treated under anesthesia. In addition to anesthesia, there are also treatments possible with sedation by means of laughing gas.
WHAT DOES A DENTIST DO:
- Checking the teeth and surrounding tissues
- Treating cavities (caries)
- Treating gum problems
- Treating nerve inflammation
- Performing root canal treatments
- Performing (minor) jaw surgical procedures
- Drawing up treatment plans
- Referring patients
- Anesthetic of patients
- Taking X-rays
- Providing information
WHAT DOES A DENTIST DO:
DENTAL TRAINING
Anyone who wants to become a dentist will have to follow a university education in the Netherlands, which will usually take six years. After the training to become a dentist, further specializations are possible as an oral surgeon or orthodontist. The training to become a dentist is not an easy training and can be called very extensive. During the programme, you will learn theoretical knowledge about medical biological aspects, such as anatomy and common oral diseases. The dental training is a mainly practice-oriented training. From the third grade onwards, you will generally be allowed to treat real patients. In order to be admitted to the dentistry programme, there are strict conditions that you must meet, but under certain circumstances there are possibilities to take an entrance exam. Dentists working in the Netherlands must register with the so-called BIG register and be affiliated with a complaints committee. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A DENTIST CAN BE EMPLOYED
A dentist usually works within a dental practice. In many cases, this concerns your own practice or a combined dental practice, in which several dentists work. In addition, you can work as a dentist in hospitals, depending on your further specialization after your training as a dentist. The training to become an oral surgeon after your dental training will usually take another four years. There is also the possibility to end up in education as a dentist. There are quite a few dentists working as entrepreneurs, although they may not all have their own practice.
COMPETENCES DENTIST
As a dentist, it is important that you have good communication skills, because you have to deal with many different patients. In addition, you must be able to work precisely and accurately. But also being able to work together is important as a dentist. As a dentist you are never finished learning and you will have to continue to learn throughout your career, by following extra training and courses. During the dental training, extensive attention is paid to the various competencies that you must possess as a dentist. As a dentist, you have to deal with fixed professional competencies. Generally important words are sense of responsibility, professionalism, planning, organizing, analytical, patience, laws and regulations, consultation, advice, control, vigilance, hygiene and medical practice.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A DENTIST
The labour market perspective of a dentist is good. There is a high demand for new dentists. A dentist will therefore have no difficulty in obtaining work. In addition, a dentist can easily set up his or her own dental practice if he or she has sufficient experience. The career opportunities of a dentist should be seen in further specialization. Think, for example, of a dentist who will complete the further training as an oral surgeon. A dentist may also specialize in periodontology and implantology. In addition, a dentist can obtain a PhD as a scientist.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY DENTIST
The Royal Dutch Society for the Promotion of Dentistry (KNMT) can find more information about the employment conditions and salary of the dentist. A dentist working as an employee will usually earn a salary between 4000 and 6000 euros gross per month, depending on age, education and further responsibilities. However, most dentists work as self-employed and their income will be highly dependent on the number of treatments they perform.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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