In my 30 years of practicing dentistry as a specialist and generalist I have come to the conclusion that treatment planning is one of the most challenging and demanding aspects of my job. Many factors enter into the decision-making process where case planning is concerned, including the patient’s expectations and financial commitment, the scientific possibilities and predictability, and the dentist’s own clinical ability and input from the interdisciplinary approach.
To answer is a dentist could practice “specialist” treatment such as , the short answer is yes.
Before consulting with a dentist take a look at his or her website, including the smile gallery and continuity of the treatment.
Rigorous training , continuous education and experience provide general dentists and dental specialists with a special understanding of the dynamics of a smile and the preservation of a healthy mouth.
You can also request the dental practitioner to review cases similar to yours of actual patients with you during your initial consultation. From there you can gauge weather the dentist is able to treat you. In essence, you’re asking for a portfolio presentation of the doctor’s past cases. Not just before and after photos but during treatment as well. This will provide you with visual examples of their work.
All dentists should be willing to review past cases and answer patients questions during a consultation. General dentists who can offer their patients “specialist treatment” they have to measure up to the specialist standard of care.
This means that if a dentist is able to straighten , align teeth , correct gummy smile or provide alternative to orthonagtic surgery as well as an average orthodontist, then they can offer braces to their patients. If they can handle five canals in a tooth, they can offer root canal therapy of a specialist care.
However there are sub-specialisations out of scope even among specialists. A maxillofacial surgery and prosthetic procedures such as oral cancer reconstruction, severe facial deformation and continuing care. In some areas you need to be doubly qualified as a dental surgeon and also a medical doctor. In fact we those who qualified as plastic surgeons to perform face transplant.
Are we ready for such cases in Malaysia?
Dentistry is one profession that needs continuing education regardless if you are a general dentist or a specialist . CE is extremely important to keep dentists of all levels on top of the major changes in the industry.
The dental industry is undergoing major changes within a short period of time due to technological advances and novel scientific inventions in the field.
Any dentist will find it difficult to keep abreast with the latest developments in the industry without an effective dental continuing education hands-on course, class or even lectures.
Continuing education in the dental field will ensure that the patients of such dentists are offered the latest diagnostic, preventive and treatment methods in the industry.
This will benefit the patient in an immense way. The patient will get the best treatment by visiting such dental practitioners in their town.
It would no doubt help the dentist to attract a large number of patients and enhance their reputation among the patients.
The quality of service offered to the patient will improve in leaps and bounds due to this reason.
The internet has revolutionized the way dental continuing education is being conducted within our profession. It can search far and wide for the best dental seminars to attend.
The convenience and ease of access are some of the other major reasons why more and more dental professionals are continuing to participate in on-going dental education programs.
Most of these programs are still affordable in terms of time and fiscal when compared with some full time post-graduates courses .