Perspective Dentistry Course

• Perspective involves a way of thinking about and understanding something.
• Perspective is a condition of knowing what’s important without worry.
• Perspective entails the ability to discern the true importance of things.
• Perspective dentistry is a course introducing students to the scope and responsibilities of dentistry as a health profession and its relation to other professions.
• Expect an overview of the 6-year Doctor of Dental Medicine program.
• The course aims to prepare dental students for clinical work and highlight the potential enjoyment of a career in dentistry.
• Dentistry, as adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates, includes the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity.
• Dentistry as a science is knowledge from systematized investigation, study, or inquiry regarding dentistry's theories, principles, and concepts.
• Dentistry as an art involves skilled craftsmanship, psychomotor skills, or technical skills.
• Dentistry as a profession requires specialized knowledge and technical skills through lengthy and intensive preparation.

Three-Fold Value of the Dental Profession

• Service to Mankind includes preventive, remedial/corrective, and curative services.
• Social Security is meant as an ideal means of livelihood and offering career opportunities.
• Prestige is signified by the title or degree of Doctor (Dr.).

Ideal Traits of a Dentist

• Dedication to service
• Honesty and Sincerity
• Diligence and Thoroughness
• Resourcefulness
• Charity

Characteristics That a Dental Student Should Possess

• Energy
• Enthusiasm
• Patience
• Perseverance

Oral Needs of Humanity

• Relate to the conditions of the oral cavity/mouth, whether abnormal or normal.
• Include the relations of the oral cavity to the general system.

Preventive Services

• Aims to avoid the start of disease, including taking vitamins and minerals to increase resistance to infection.
• Twice-yearly dental check-ups are an example.
• Oral Prophylaxis or Cleaning
• Fluoridization
• Fluoridation
• Oral Health Education
• Oral Hygiene Regimen

Remedial/Corrective Curative Services

• Includes heart bypass surgery, using medicines when one is sick, kidney transplant, etc.
• Restorations
• RCT (Root Canal Therapy Treatment)
• Oral Surgery
• Prostheses

Employment and Career Opportunities of a Dentist

Private Practice

• Individual/Solo Practice - Dentist practices alone
• Partnership and Group Practice includes the shared cost arrangement for improved service at minimized cost between two/three or more dentists.
• Multi-located Practice involves a need for more clientele, where a dentist divides time among locations, which can be expensive and a difficult method of establishing a practice.
• Part-time Practice is limited to only a few hours.
• Public Health Dentists: Offers a novice dental practitioner a grand opportunity whether in the employ of the national or local government.
• Hospital Dentists practice in a private hospital.
• Military Dentists use their skills in the AFP dental corps unit.
• Industry/Company Dentists are employed by a private company or industry on a full-time basis or retainer-ship.
• School Dentists work in a private school, college, or university.
• Dental Educators pursue a career in teaching, which requires education units in teaching and administrative skills.

Other Avenues / Opportunities

• Dental Assistant: A novice dentist seeks employment to serve as a buffer or re-adjustment period to acquire experience and evaluate private practice.
• Dental Researchers choose to do research or investigation in any dental field or specialization, usually inside a University locally or abroad.
• Graduate Study involves a limited practice, which requires a 3-4 year Master of Science or Doctoral degree in Dentistry like Endodontics, Oral surgery, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, etc.
• Heritage Practice retains a family or class of practitioner with the patient load inherited by the beginner member.
• Dental or Medical Representative seeks employment in major drug companies and dental traders.
• Dental Consultants are employed by a dental company, laboratory, and/or trader.

Foreign Employment

• Dentists
• Dental Assistants (require a license abroad)
• Dental Hygienists (work on certain procedures)
• Dental Nurse
• Dental Technician (for dentures)