Dental school
Encyclopedia
A dental school is a tertiary education
al institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches dentistry
. Upon successful completion, the graduate receives a degree in Dentistry, which, depending upon the jurisdiction, might be a bachelor's degree
, master's degree
, a professional degree
, or a doctorate
. Schools can also offer postgraduate training in general dentistry
, and/or training in endodontics
,oral surgery, dental pathology, dental radiography, orthodontics
, pedodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics
, or dental public health
.
A dental school may also train dental assistant
s, dental hygienist
s, dental nurse
s, dental technician
s, dental therapist
s, or other member of the dental auxiliary.
Sometimes dental education is done within medical school
s, as in Pakistan
; the separation between medical and dental educations is also blurred within certain sub-specialties, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery
.
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
al institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
. Upon successful completion, the graduate receives a degree in Dentistry, which, depending upon the jurisdiction, might be a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
, master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
, a professional degree
First professional degree
A professional degree prepares the holder for a particular profession by emphasizing competency skills along with theory and analysis. These professions are typically licensed or otherwise regulated by a governmental or government-approved body...
, or a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
. Schools can also offer postgraduate training in general dentistry
Postgraduate training in general dentistry
-Australia:There are two forms of institution-based training for general dentistry available for dental school graduates in Australia:* General dental residency or Dental house officer, often abbreviated as GDR and DO respectively....
, and/or training in endodontics
Endodontics
Endodontics is one of the dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, and deals with the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth...
,oral surgery, dental pathology, dental radiography, orthodontics
Orthodontics
Orthodontics, orthodontia, or orthodonture is the first specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions , which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both...
, pedodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons...
, or dental public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
.
A dental school may also train dental assistant
Dental assistant
Dental assistants assist the dental operator provide more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding a suction device, exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions, and fabricating provisional...
s, dental hygienist
Dental hygienist
thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
s, dental nurse
Dental nurse
Dental nurses work as part of a dental team in a variety of clinical and non clinical settings. The term Dental nurse has a defined meaning within the UK...
s, dental technician
Dental technician
A dental technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon presciption from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances.There are four major disciplines within dental technology...
s, dental therapist
Dental therapist
A dental therapist receives specialized training in treating children's teeth and oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform...
s, or other member of the dental auxiliary.
Sometimes dental education is done within medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
s, as in Pakistan
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is the statutory regulatory authority for medical and dental education and practitioners in Pakistan. PMDC was established under Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Ordinance 1962 as a body corporate. It is part of International Community of Medical Regulatory...
; the separation between medical and dental educations is also blurred within certain sub-specialties, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty...
.
List of dental schools
- List of dental schools in Australia and New Zealand
- List of dental schools in Bangladesh
- List of dental schools in Israel
- List of dental schools in Pakistan
- List of dental schools in the United Kingdom
- List of dental schools in the United States
See also
- Dentistry throughout the worldDentistry throughout the worldDentistry throughout the world is practiced differently, and training in dentistry varies as well.-Dentistry in Australia:Australian dentistry is overseen by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia while specialization is overseen by the Royal Australasian College of Dental...
- Dental degreeDental degreeThere are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...