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 necessary for complete overall health. Doctors who practice dentistry are known as dentists. The dentist's supporting team – which includes dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental therapists – aids in providing oral health services.
Dental surgery and treatments
Dentistry usually encompasses very important practices related to the oral cavity. Oral diseases are major public health problems due to their high incidence and prevalence across the globe with the disadvantaged affected more than other socio-economic groups.
The majority of dental treatments are carried out to prevent or treat the two most common oral diseases which are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease or pyorrhea). Common treatments involve the restoration of teeth as a treatment for dental caries (fillings), extraction or surgical removal of teeth which cannot be restored, scaling of teeth to treat periodontal problems and endodontic
root canal endodontic treatment to treat abscessed teeth.
All dentists in the United States undergo four years of undergraduate studies, followed by four years of dental school to qualify as a "Doctor of Dental Surgery" (DDS) or "Doctor of Dental Medicine" (DMD). Dentists need to complete additional qualifications or training to carry out more complex treatments such as sedation, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and implants.
Design Your Dental Office
Considerations in the Reception and Waiting Areas
Frequently there is a desire to place an object of interest or design in the reception or waiting area such as an aquarium, waterfall, fireplace, or other appointment. These are all a matter of personal choice, but the doctor should be aware that these options would require significant maintenance and/ or additional nonfunctional space. Indeed, the average fireplace will require an additional 60-80-square feet of office space. If the objective is to create an inviting environment, consider working with an architect or interior designer to use lighting, ceiling design, furniture, and finishes such as art, wall coverings, and flooring to make the patient comfortable-and make a statement about the practice's quality of care (Fig. 3). The reception and waiting areas will speak to your patients and make a statement about the practice. If the practice focuses were cosmetic dentistry, a statement of elegance and attention to detail would be desirable. And, since most patients have not attended dental school, the only manner in which they can initially determine the quality of care in the practice is through assessment of their surroundings. Therefore, be certain that your office environment is congruent with, and expresses, the level of clinical care delivered in your practice to your patients.
Front Desk and Business Areas
This area must be appropriately sized for the practice because it is the control center of the office and the main intersection of patient flow. If it is too small for the number of business staff, their efficiency will be compromised but, more importantly, the patient flow will be disrupted. This will result in diminished production because patients who have questions or concerns about payment or a payment schedule will not voice their concerns when other patients are near and can overhear their conversation with the business staff.
