Dentistry throughout the world - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Dentistry throughout the world is practiced differently, and training in 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...

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 Surgeons

Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons or RACDS is a professional college established in 1965 that administers Fellowship Exams for both general and specialist dental practitioners in the Australasian region...

. The professional body for dentists is the Australian Dental Association

Australian Dental Association

The ', established on 19 June 1928, is an Australian professional organisation of dentists which has as its aim the encouragement of the dental health of the public and the promotion of the art and science of dentistry. There are Branches of the Association in all States and a Provisional Branch in...

.
Dentists trained in Australia must meet the entry requirements of one of the Australian institutions offering dental courses, and then complete the required full-time academic training leading to a dental degree. If dentists wish to specialize, they must complete extra study after having had clinical experience.

In order to practice dentistry in Australia (as of July 2010) you must obtain registration and licensing from the nationalized Dental Board of Australia. Generally, the only persons immediately entitled to apply to be registered as dentists are persons holding the qualifications of DDS, BDS, BDSc, BDent, BDentSc, DMD, MDent, or GradDipDent from an accredited Australian and New Zealand university. Usually registration will not be granted to a foreign graduate until he or she has passed the ADC examinations and/or completed a 2-year advance standing program in order to obtain a locally accredited dental qualification

The Universities of Adelaide, Western Australia, and LaTrobe all offer undergraduate dental degree courses of 5 years in length. Sydney University offers a graduate entry program which is 4-years duration and requires a previous bachelors degree for admission. Melbourne University also has a 4-year graduate entry dental program starting in 2011. The qualifications awarded by these schools satisfy the formal academic requirements for registration.

Admissions to an undergraduate dental school in Australia is often known as the most difficult admissions among other countries.
Only 4% of all qualified applicants yearly pass the Australia's dental school admissions and get entry into dentistry programs.

Australian dental schools

University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
Latrobe University

Dentistry in New Zealand

New Zealand dentistry is overseen by the Dental Council http://www.dcnz.org.nz, while specialization is also overseen by the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

.

University of Otago

University of Otago

The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...

is New Zealand's only dental school that offers the required academic training.
Entry into New Zealand's only dental school requires the student to compete into the second year dentistry course via the Health Sciences First Year course http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/healthsci_firstyear.html. Once in the course, students will start their dental education in their second year of University study. The total time to complete the course, including the first year competitive course, is 5 years of full-time academic study.

Dentistry in Brazil

Dental care is provided by both the private and public sector. However, private clinics are the most common place a person would go if a dentist is needed. Today, the private market is dominated by large companies that hire mostly recently graduated dentists. Nevertheless, there are thousands of small clinics spread throughout the country. The practice of dentistry in Brazil is overseen by Conselho Federal de Odontologia, a federal entity that coordinates the 27 State bodies. This institution has 340,000 registered dentists and 191 universities and/or colleges in Brazil.

Dentistry in Canada

The practice of dentistry in Canada is overseen by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)

National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)

The National Dental Examining Board of Canada, also known as the NDEB, is the organization responsible for establishing and maintaining a national standard of competence for dentists in Canada...

, while specialization is overseen by the Royal College of Dentists

Royal College of Dentists

The Royal College of Dentists of Canada administers examinations for qualified dental specialists as part of the dentistry profession in Canada....

. Today, Canada has about 16,000 dentists. Canadian dentistry is not publicly run (see Medicare (Canada)

Medicare (Canada)

Medicare is the unofficial name for Canada's publicly funded universal health insurance system. The formal terminology for the insurance system is provided by the Canada Health Act and the health insurance legislation of the individual provinces and territories.Under the terms of the Canada Health...

); however, some provinces http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-66/issue-5/246.html provide for free dental care for children and the elderly. Other Canadians are mostly covered by workplace dental plans, but many have to pay out-of-pocket

Out-of-pocket expenses

Out-of-pocket expenses are direct outlays of cash which may or may not be later reimbursed.In operating a vehicle, gasoline, parking fees and tolls are considered out-of-pocket expenses for the trip...

.

For most of the early colonial period dentistry was a rare and unusual practice in Canada. In severe situations, barbers or blacksmiths would pull a tooth, but for many years Canada lagged behind European advances. The first dentists in Canada were United Empire Loyalists

United Empire Loyalists

The name United Empire Loyalists is an honorific given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other British Colonies as an act of fealty to King George III after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War and prior to the Treaty of Paris...

who fled the American Revolution

American Revolution

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...

. The first recorded dentist in Canada was a Mr. Hume who advertised in a Halifax

Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia

Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...

newspaper in 1814.

During the first half of the 19th century, dentistry expanded rapidly. In 1867 the Ontario Dental Association

Ontario Dental Association

The Ontario Dental Association is a voluntary professional organization representing 80 percent of dentists in Ontario, CanadaIt was founded in 1867 by Dr. Barnabus Day and nine colleagues. It is one of the oldest professional organisations in North America....

was formed and in 1868 they founded Canada's first dental school in Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario

Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario

-The Organization:The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, more commonly known as RCDSO, was established on March 4th, 1868 by Ontario Statute...

. The University of Toronto

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...

agreed to be affiliated with the dental school. As time passed, other Canadian universities also created dentistry programmes. However, the University of Toronto still has the largest dental school in Canada that features the most postgraduate research opportunities as well as certifications for all the dental specialties. The UBC Faculty of Dentistry supports five specialty programs being 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...

, 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...

, 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 and Periodontics.

Dental care is not covered by the Canadian health care system, as it is in many other countries with public health care.

Canadian dental schools

University of Toronto (1868)
McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...

(1905)
Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...

(1905)
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...

(1908)
University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...

(1923)
University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...

(1958)
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...

(1964)
University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...

(1966)
University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...

(1968)
Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...

(1971)

Dentistry in Chile

In Chile dentists require six years of post secondary education. The first dental school was established at the Universidad de Chile in the year 1888. Other institutions providing professional dental education in Chile are Universidad Austral de Chile

Universidad Austral de Chile

Southern University of Chile is a research university in Chile based in Valdivia although it has some institutions and careers in Puerto Montt. Founded by decree on 7 September 1954 it is one of the eight original Chilean Traditional Universities...

Universidad de Concepción

The University of Concepción , also known for its acronym UdeC, is one of the most prestigious universities in Chile. It is the third oldest university in the country, and it is part of the Council of Rectors. It was the first University founded in the South of Chile, and the first to become a...

, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (since 2009), Universidad de Valparaíso

Universidad de Valparaíso

University of Valparaíso is a university in Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.-External links:*...

, Universidad de Talca

Universidad de Talca

The University of Talca is a Chilean university located in the cities of Talca, Curicó, and Santiago. It is a derivative university, one of the most important universities of the southern-central region of Chile, and it's part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.- History :The Universidad de...

, Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello

Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello

Universidad Andrés Bello is a Chilean private university created in 1988. It belongs to the Laureate International Universities group.Andrés Bello University ranks as the 10th Chilean university according to the classification webometric CSIC 2011.2 in July and the 2nd Latin American private...

, Universidad Mayor

Universidad Mayor

Universidad Mayor is a Chilean private university. Its main campus is in Santiago, with a secondary campus in Temuco.-History of Universidad Mayor :The University was founded in Santiago, in 1988...

, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad Diego Portales

Universidad Diego Portales

Diego Portales University is one of the first private universities founded in Chile and is named after the Chilean statesman Diego Portales.Since its foundation, the University has consistently been focused on academic improvement, which has led UDP to be positioned as one of the best universities...

, Universidad del Desarrollo

Universidad del Desarrollo

Universidad del Desarrollo is a Chilean private university. Its main campus is in Concepción, with a secondary campus in the same city, and two more in Santiago.-History of Universidad del Desarrollo :...

, Universidad San Sebastián

Universidad San Sebastián

Saint Sebastian University is a private Chilean university with its headquarters located in Concepción. The university also has faculties in Santiago, Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt. It was founded in 1989, and received formal state recognition as a university in 2001.-External links:*...

and Universidad de Antofagasta

Universidad de Antofagasta

University of Antofagasta is a university in Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.- External links :*...

(Best universities in Chile are Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Concepción

Universidad de Concepción

, "Revista Qué Pasa 2010")

Dentistry in Costa Rica

Dentistry is overseen by the Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica. Dentists complete 6 year courses from the University of Costa Rica in D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery

Doctor of Dental Surgery

There 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...

), or similar courses from various private universities. Costa Rica is often cited as being one of the top ten countries in the world for medical tourism

Medical tourism

Medical tourism is a term initially coined by travel agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling across international borders to obtain health care...

, including dentistry.

Dentistry in Egypt

Dentistry is taught in governmental and private dental schools in Egypt :
1/School of Dentistry, Misr International University (MIU)
2/school of oral & dental medicine, cairo university
3/school of dentistry, Ainshams university
4/school of dentistry, suez canal university
5/school of dentistry, Alexandria university
6/school of dentistry, Mansoura university
7/school of dentistry, Tanta university
8/school of dentistry, Alminia university
9/school of dentistry, Al-azhr university.
The private schools have better facilities in education.
There is a syndicate for all dentists which regulate the work in dental clinics in association with ministry of health.
For any dentist to practise, he should be enrolled in the dental syndicate .
The dentist should complete 5 years study course plus year for practice in his dental school or general hospitals in the country .
Most governmental dental schools give degrees of bacheolar, master degree & PhD in all dental fields.

Dentistry in Europe

In all European countries, there exist public dental services and/or subsides that ensure that most (if not all) citizens have access to the dental services they require, regardless of their ability to pay. Information regarding the various levels of dental care provision throughout Europe can be found in the Manual of Dental Practice, published by the Council of European Dentists.

Dentistry in Greece

Dentists in Greece complete a 5 year program that leads to the Degree of Dental Surgeon (equivalent to D.D.S). Two Universities in Greece provide training for Dentists: the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , usually referred to simply as the University of Athens, is the oldest university in Southeast Europe and has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837. Today, it is the second-largest institution of higher learning in Greece,...

and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest Greek university, and the largest university in the Balkans. It was named after the philosopher Aristotle, who was born in Stageira, Chalcidice, about 55 km east of Thessaloniki, in Central Macedonia...

. Except from undergraduate training, those institutions provide graduate degrees of the MS and PhD level as well as postgraduate training in all dental fields.

Dentistry in Hong Kong

To become a dentist in Hong Kong, one must complete the 5-year B.D.S. course in The University of Hong Kong. Students learn basic health sciences, dental sciences under a problem-based learning

Problem-based learning

Problem-based learning is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject in the context of complex, multifaceted, and realistic problems...

curriculum. Besides, formal training and supervised practice are prescribed. It is accepted that only after 5 years of such training would the trainees achieve a superior level of professional competence.

Graduates can enter general practice or pursue a specialist M.D.S. degree after gaining one to two years of working experience.

Before the dental school was established in the University of Hong Kong(in 1980), most of the practicing dentists obtained their dental degree from the Philippines.

Dentistry in India

In India, training in dentistry is through a 5 year BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) course, which includes 5 years study since 2008 (earlier, it was 4 years of study + 1 year internship). As of 2010, there were a total of 291 colleges (39 run by the government and 252 in the private sector) offering dental education. This amounts to an annual intake of 23,690 graduates. Dental education in India is regulated by the Dental Council of India

Dental Council of India

The Dental Council of India was incorporated under The Dentists Act, 1948 to regulate dental education and the profession throughout India. It is financed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and through the local state dental councils....

.

In most states, 15% of seats in state run Dental Colleges are filled through a national examination conducted by the CBSE (Central Board for Seconary Education). The remaining seats are filled up by the respective state's designated authority. Some autonomous universities conduct their own selection tests. Selection to privately run Dental Colleges vary and usually require payment of higher fees.

Post graduate training is for three years in the concerned speciality. Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is offered in the following subjects -

Prosthodontics
Periodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Oral Pathology & Microbiology
Community Dentistry
Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
Oral Medicine Diagnosis and Radiology.

Selection to postgraduate courses are through national / state entrance examinations and are very competitive. In addition, cerrtificate courses of 2 years duration are offered in Dental Mechanics and Dental Hygiene

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...

.

The First Dental College of India was established in Calcutta in 1924. It was then called Calcutta Dental College and Hospital and was established by Dr Rafiuddin Ahmed. Incidentally it was the first Dental College to be established in Asia. After his death on 9 February 1965, the college was renamed after him. The second dental college started in 1933 in Bombay - Nair Hospital Dental College (after Dr AL Nair). It iss run by the MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) and is the only dental college in the world to be run by a municipal authority.one of the top college in karnataka is Krishnadevaraya college of dental sciences (KCDS).

In India, street dentists

Street dentistry

Street dentistry is the unlicensed practice of dentistry in the street, usually for people who are unable to afford licensed dental care.-History:...

often operate without licenses in large cities. These practitioners charge far less than conventional dentists and cater to those who cannot afford licensed dental care.

Dentistry in Iran

In Iran

Iran

Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...

dentists require six years of post secondary education. The whole program is one single degree of D.D.S. (Doctor of dental surgery). After this, those wishing to specialize in a particular field may pursue higher education. Upon graduation, a dentist may need to fulfill two years of military service(as a dentist in uniform for males) or governmental service(both males and females) in order to collect enough scores to start in private practice.
The current universities offering Dentistry are:

Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
- General and History :Tehran University of Medical Sciences is the largest and "most distinguished", and most highly ranked medical school of Iran. In September 2008, the health minister of Iran - General and History :Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) is the largest and "most...

http://www.dentistry.tums.ac.ir/framework.jsp?SID=1.
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services is a large medical school in northern Tehran, Iran.The school was founded in 1961 as part of Shahid Beheshti University, and was re-structured in 1986 when it separated off onto its own...
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences is a university of higher education in basic medical sciences, clinical medical sciences and health services in Iran....
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences is public medical school located in Shiraz, Iran. It is ranked as one of Iran's top medical schools, with more than 5000 students studying for 83 different degrees, and a staff of nearly 13,000 faculty and personnel...
Ahvaz University
Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences is a medical school in Khuzestan Province of Iran.Located in southwestern Iran in the city of Ahvaz, the university was established as a College of Medicine administered by the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 1955, which itself was a revived...
Ghazvin University
Zahedan University
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences is public medical sciences university located in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. It is ranked as one of Iran's top medical schools, with more than 5000 students....
Babol University
Babol University of Medical Sciences
Babol University of Medical Sciences , is a medical sciences university in the city of Babol, Mazandaran province, Persia .It was founded originally as a school for laboratory technicians in 1962, and was elevated to university status in 1985....
Rasht University
Gilan University of Medical Sciences
Gilan University of Medical Sciences , is a medical school in Gilan Province of Iran.Located in the city of Rasht, the university fell under the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 1986, the same year it was established....
Yazd University
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services is a medical school in Yazd Province of Iran.Located in south-central Iran in the city of Yazd, the university was established in 1983, and fell under the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 1986.The university offers...
Kerman University
Hamedan University
Azad (Khorasgan-Isfahan)University
Azad(Tehran)University

Dentistry in Israel

In Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

there are two dental schools, The Hebrew University

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...

-Hadassah

Hadassah Medical Center

Hadassah Medical Center is a medical organization that operates two University hospitals at Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, Israel, as well as schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacology affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.The hospital was founded by Hadassah,...

School of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, founded by the Alpha Omega Fraternity

Alpha Omega Fraternity

Alpha Omega is a professional Jewish dental fraternity and the fourth oldest international dental fraternity after Delta Sigma Delta, Xi Psi Phi and Psi Omega, respectively. It was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1907 by a group of dental students originally to fight discrimination in dental...

and The Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...

School of Dental Medicine in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...

. The two schools provide Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Dental degree

degrees. In addition, there are several post-graduation

Postgraduate education

Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...

training centers such as Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa

Haifa

Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...

and Barzilai Medical Center

Barzilai Medical Center

Barzilai Medical Center is a 490-bed hospital in Ashkelon in southern Israel. The Hospital serves a population of 500,000, including a large number of Ethiopian and Russian immigrants. It has 100,000 admissions annually.-History:...

in Ashkelon

Ashkelon

Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...

. The post-graduation programs in the Sheba Medical Center

Sheba Medical Center

The Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer , also Tel HaShomer Hospital, is the largest hospital in Israel.-Overview:The hospital was named after Chaim Sheba, the founding director. It was established in 1948 as the country's first military hospital to treat casualties of Israel's War of...

in Tel Hashomer

Tel HaShomer

Tel HaShomer is a district in Gush Dan in central Israel. It is located east of Ramat Gan, and is bordered to the north by Kiryat Ono, to the east by Yehud, and to the south by Or Yehuda...

are held by the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces

Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...

Dentistry in Italy

In Italy dentists complete 6 years of undergraduate study to earn a degree. Nevertheless it is possible to agree on certain basic clinical competences common to all member states of the European Union

European Union

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...

.

The following is an example of one such clinical competency (excision of a buried tooth root): If a clinician is deemed to be clinically competent in the surgical removal of a buried root, this implies much more than the technical and surgical ability required to excise a buried piece of root

Root

In vascular plants, the root is the organ of a plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil. This is not always the case, however, since a root can also be aerial or aerating . Furthermore, a stem normally occurring below ground is not exceptional either...

from alveolus. It embraces a broad range of pre-clinical and clinical knowledge and understanding on which surgical treatment is based.

Dentistry in Malaysia

The first dental degree program in Malaysia was offered by University of Malaya. The qualification was moderated and recognised by the Malaysian Dental Council and one of the leading associations representing dental surgeons of Malaysia is the Malaysian Dental Association.

Dental surgeries (or better known as dental clinics) in Malaysia are required to be registered and approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia under the Healthcare Facilities And Services Act 1998. It is a requirement that all dental surgeons hold an valid Annual Practising Certificate. Foreign dentists, that is, qualified dentists from other countries are not allowed to hold an annual practising certificate unless they are studying or lecturing at a higher-learning institute.

Dentistry in Malta

The first course leading to a degree in Dental Surgery, at the University of Malta, commenced in 1933. The qualification was recognized by the Medical Council of the United Kingdom in 1936.

Dental Surgery was established as a separate Faculty in 1954, previous to which the course was under the direction of a Board of Studies within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. The Faculty caters for an undergraduate intake of 8 students annually. A B.Ch.D Degree is awarded at the completion of the 5 year course.

Organization

All practicing dentists must be subscribed in the national medical register called the BIG-Register.
The registry can be freely consulted through the internet, if one wants to check if his or her dentist has got the right credentials.

Education

The dental curriculum was just changed from a 5 years study to 6 years. There are three dental schools in the Netherlands:

Amsterdam (ACTA): a joint venture between the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Free University of Amsterdam (VU)
Groningen University
Nijmegen University

The oldest dental education in the Netherlands used to be taught at the University of Utrecht. The faculty of dentistry in Utrecht was closed because of governmental economizing.

Dentistry in Norway

The 5-year dental education is offered at three universities:

University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
University of Bergen
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is located in Bergen, Norway. Although founded as late as 1946, academic activity had taken place at Bergen Museum as far back as 1825. The university today serves more than 14,500 students...
University of Tromsø
University of Tromsø
The University of Tromsø is the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established in 1968, and opened in 1972. It is one of eight universities in Norway. The University of Tromsø is the largest research and educational institution in northern Norway...

All dentists in Norway are organized through "Tannlegeforeningen". Dental services are free for children. Some complicated procedures such as the fitting of prosthetics and some oral surgeries are partially covered by the national health service, usually at the rate of 50%.

Dentistry in Pakistan

History of dentistry in Pakistan starts even before the country's birth. Pakistan's premier and oldest dental institution 'De'Montmorency College of Dentistry' was established in 1934 at Lahore by then Governor of Punjab Sir Jeff Fitz Harway de' Montmorency. Later in 1974, Nishtar Institute of Dentistry
Nishtar Institute of Dentistry
Nishtar Institute of Dentistry is a dental school located in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. It is named in affiliation with Nishtar Medical College.The majority of the degrees it awards are and . Nishtar Institute of Dentistry has a very rich heritage of academic and clinical excellence...

joined the list. de'Montmorency College of Dentistry has a very rich heritage of academic and clinical excellence both before and after independence. The history of dentistry in Pakistan is in fact the story of progress of de'Montmorency College of Dentistry. At present there are 24 dental schools (public & private) throughout Pakistan, according to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council

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 state regulatory body has upwards of 9822 registered dentists. The four year training culminates in achieving a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which requires a further one year compulsory internship to be a registered dentist in Pakistan.

PAKISTANI DENTAL INSTITUTIONS:-
Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi.
Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi.
Baqai Dental College, Karachi.
Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi.
Margalla College of Dentistry, Rawalpindi.
FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore.
Sharif Medical & Dental College, Lahore.
Dental Section, University Medical & Dental College, Faisalabad.
Institute of Dentistry/CMH LMC, Lahore.
Dr. Ishratul Ebad Institute of Oral & Health Sciences, Karachi.
Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi.
Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar.
Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar.

Dentistry in Peru

In Peru

Peru

Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....

, dentists require six years of post secondary education in a University. There are several Universities that provides dental education. The three first study years are similar education to the Human Medicine schools, then fourth and fifth years are dental studies and practices in the school clinic, and the last year students have to accomplish evaluated and paid services in an public hospital and in a rural medical post (as there are no hospitals or doctors nearby, is frequent; see general medicine cases). Finally, students have to elaborate and support a thesis to obtain the Cirujano Dentista (C.D.) degree (Dental Surgeon). Dentistry is overseen by the Colegio Odontológico del Perú (COP).

Dental care in Peru

Peru

is considerably less expensive than in USA, Mexico and other American, European or Asian countries and the registered Peruvian clinics have good quality level.

Peruvian dental schools

Lima

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal ' is a public university located in Lima, Peru. It was created by Order Nº 14692 on October 30, 1963 .-External links:*...

.
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Universidad de San Martín de Porres
Universidad de San Martín de Porres
The Universidad de San Martín de Porres is a private university located in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1962 by the Dominican Order of the Catholic Church.The university counts with two large branches in Lima and Chiclayo....

.
Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
Universidad Alas Peruanas.
Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista.
Universidad Científica del Sur
Universidad Científica del Sur
The Universidad Científica del Sur, or UCSUR, is a higher education and research institution located in Lima, Peru. It has a four-hectare campus close to the Pantanos de Villa Reserved Zone, in Villa El Salvador.-History:...

.
Universidad Norbert Wiener.
Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas.

Arequipa

Arequipa is the capital city of the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. With a population of 836,859 it is the second most populous city of the country...

Universidad Católica Santa María.

Cerro de Pasco

Cerro de Pasco is a city in central Peru. It is the capital of the Pasco region, and an important mining center. It is connected by road and by rail to the city of Lima.- Overview :...

Universidad Daniel Alcides Carrión.

Chimbote

Chimbote is the largest city in the Ancash Region of Peru, and the capital of both Santa Province and Chimbote District.The city is located on the coast in Chimbote Bay, south of Trujillo and north of Lima on the North Pan-American highway. It is the start of a chain of important cities like...

Universidad Los Ángeles de Chimbote - ULADECH.

Cusco

Cusco , often spelled Cuzco , is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cuzco Province. In 2007, the city had a population of 358,935 which was triple the figure of 20 years ago...

Universidad Andina del Cuzco.
Universidad Nacional De San Antonio Abad del Cuzco.

Huancayo

Huancayo with a rock') is the capital of the Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. It is located in Junín Province, of which it is also capital. Situated near the Mantaro Valley at an altitude of 3,271 meters, it has a population of 377,000 and is the fifth most populous city of the...

Universidad Peruana de los Andes.

Huánuco

-Famous Natives:* Daniel Alomía Robles - Musical composer and ethnologist born in 1871, famous for El Cóndor Pasa* Johan Fano- Professional football player-External links:*** - Catholic Encyclopedia article...

Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán.

Tacna

- Rail :Tacna is served by a cross-border standard gauge railway to Arica, Chile.It is also the location of the National Railway Museum of Peru.-Air:Tacna is served by the Crnl. FAP...

Universidad Privada de Tacna.
Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann.

Trujillo

Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo, in northwestern Peru, is the capital of the La Libertad Region, and the third largest city in Peru. The urban area has 811,979 inhabitants and is an economic hub in northern Peru...

Universidad Nacional de Trujillo.
Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego.

Moquegua

Moquegua is a city in southern Peru, located in the Moquegua Region, of which it is the regional capital. It is also capital of Mariscal Nieto Province and Moquegua District. It is located 1144 kilometers south from the capital city of Lima.-History:...

Universidad José Carlos Mariátegui.

Ica

Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica.

Iquitos

Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, with a population of 370,962. It is the capital of Loreto Region and Maynas Province.Located on the Amazon River, it is only above sea level, although it is more than from the mouth of the Amazon at Belém on the Atlantic Ocean...

Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana - UNAP.
Universidad Científica del Perú - UCP.

Puno

Puno is a city in southeastern Peru, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It is the capital city of the Puno Region and the Puno Province with a population of approximately 100,000. The city was established in 1668 by viceroy Pedro Antonio Fernández de Castro as capital of the province of...

Universidad Nacional del Altiplano.

Dentistry in the Philippines

Most Filipino Dentists must earn a total of 6 years of dental school (2 years preparatory; 4 years proper) to obtain the degree Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). Presently, the country has a total of 25 dental schools, in which the board licensing is administered and regulated by the Board of Dentistry of the Professional Regulation Commission

Professional Regulation Commission

The Professional Regulation Commission , otherwise known as the PRC, is a three-man commission attached to the office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Its mandate is to regulate and supervise the practice of the professionals who constitute the highly skilled manpower of the...

Adventist University of the Philippines
Adventist University of the Philippines
Adventist University of the Philippines is private coeducational Christian university located in Putting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. The university is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and holds an autonomous status recognized by CHED .-History:The Adventist University of the...
Ago Medical and Educational Center
Cebu Doctors' University
Cebu Doctors' University
Cebu Doctors' University is a private university located in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. It was founded in 1975 at Cebu City, as Cebu Doctors' College, with the opening of its College of Nursing, one of the first nursing colleges in Cebu. CDU was granted university status by 2005 and moved to...
Centro Escolar University
Centro Escolar University
Centro Escolar University is a private university in the Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna, and was originally called Centro Escolar de Señoritas. It became a university in 1933...
Davao Medical School Foundation
De Ocampo Memorial College
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Emilio Aguinaldo College
The Emilio Aguinaldo College is a private school in Manila, Philippines. It runs under the management of the Marian Clinics Incorporated.-Faculties and Schools:The college offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the following disciplines:...
Iloilo Doctors' College
Iloilo Doctors' College
Iloilo Doctors' College is an institution of higher learning located at in Iloilo City. Philippines. ILOILO DOCTORS' COLLEGE,was established on February 13,1972 as the Iloilo Doctors' Hospital School of Nursing and Midwifery. It opened its doors to the first Nursing and Midwifery students in June...
Our Lady of Fatima University
Our Lady of Fatima University
Our Lady of Fatima University, formerly known as Our Lady of Fatima College, and also formerly known as Fatima Medical Science Foundation, Incorporated is a private university in the Philippines. It has three main campuses, one based in Valenzuela City, the other in Quezon City, and the third in...
Lyceum-Northwestern University
Lyceum-Northwestern University
Lyceum-Northwestern University is a medical college located in Dagupan City, Philippines founded by Dr. Francisco Quimson Duque and Mrs...
Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas
Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas
The Lyceum of the Philippines University at Batangas is an institute of higher education located in Capitol Site, Batangas City. It was founded by Dr. Sotero H. Laurel in 1966 using the educational philosophy of his father, former President José P. Laurel. Its flagship courses were Nursing,...
Manila Central University
Manila Central University
The Manila Central University is a private, non-sectarian, non-stock educational institution situated in EDSA, Caloocan City, Philippines. It was founded and first directed in 1904 by Dr. Alejandro M...
Medina College Pagadian City
Medina College Pagadian City
Medina College-Pagadian - a college in Pagadian City, Philippines concentrated in Bachelor of Science in Nursing course. After acquiring St. John College and Hospital, Medina College Pagadian City in the Philippines is the leading nursing school in the province of Zamboanga del Sur attracting...
Mindanao Medical Foundation
Misamis University
Misamis University
Misamis University is a privately owned, non-sectarian, non-profit educational institution that advocates a progressive and dynamic education that upholds the principle that God is the center of its existence and that education its service offering to God and country.MU is the only university in...
National University (Philippines)
National University (Philippines)
National University is a university in Manila, Philippines.It is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities...
Southwestern University (Philippines)
Southwestern University (Philippines)
-History:In summer of 1946, when the Philippines was in the rehabilitation process after World War II, Southwestern University was founded with the name Southwestern Colleges...
Unciano Paramedical Colleges
University of Baguio
University of Baguio
The University of Baguio is a private, multidisciplinary university located in Baguio City, Philippines. The school was founded by Dr. Fernando Gonzaga Bautista and Rosa Castillo Bautista on August 8, 1948 as the Baguio Technical and Commercial Institute with 80 students...
University of the East College of Dentistry
University of the East College of Dentistry
The University of the East College of Dentistry was first established as a unit of the Philippine College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1948. The college is one of the pioneers of dental education and labeled as one of the top dental schools in the Philippines.The University of the...
University of Perpetual Help System
University of Perpetual Help System
The University of Perpetual Help System is a university system of nine campuses in the Philippines.-History:Established in 1968 by Drs. José and Josefina Tamayo as the Perpetual Help Hospital and School of Nursing , the institution has trained nurses for service in the Philippines and in other...
University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
University of the Visayas
University of the Visayas
The ' is an educational institution located at Cebu City, Philippines. It is billed as the first university in Cebu City .- Campuses and location :...
Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation

Dentistry in Slovakia

In Slovakia

Slovakia

The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...

, dentists complete 6 years of undergraduate study to earn a MDDr. (lat. Medicinae Dentalis Doctor) degree. A MDDr. graduate

Graduate school

A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...

can perform the therapeutic interventions in area of restorative dentistry

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and the rehabilitation of the dentition to functional and aesthetic requirements of the individual...

, prosthodontics

Prosthodontics

and endodontics

Endodontics

. For performing orthodontics

Orthodontics

and dentoalveolar surgery the post graduate course is required in length of 2 years. For 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...

the length of 4 yeats of post graduate course is recuired. Also the absolvent of general medicine (titled as MUDr.) can run course for oral and maxilofacial surgery, but the atestation course takes 5 years. Dental education is offered at two universities: Comenius University in Bratislava

Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...

and University of Pavol Jozef Safarik

University of Pavol Jozef Safarik

The Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice is a university located in Košice, Slovakia. It was founded in 1959 and is organized in 5 faculties...

in Košice

Košice

Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...

. Junior graduates work under a skilled doctor for at least 3 years to receive their license from The Slovak Chamber of Dentists. Part of dental service is paid from health insurance but mostly treatment (fillings, prosthodontics) is paid cash by patient.

Dentistry in Sweden

The 5-year dental education is offered at four universities:

University of Malmö http://www.mah.se/templates/Page____13098.aspx
University of Gothenburg http://www.odontology.gu.se/
Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska institutet is a medical university in Solna within the Stockholm urban area, Sweden, and one of Europe's largest medical universities...

, at Huddinge Hospital http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1524&l=en
University of Umeå http://www.odont.umu.se/index_eng.html

Most dentists in Sweden are organized through "Tandläkarförbundet" which also issues the scientific 'Swedish Dental Journal': http://www.tandlakarforbundet.se/swe/default.asp.

Dental care is provided at public and private dental offices. Dental services are free for everyone up to 20 years of age. From the age of 20 and upwards there is a fixed state refund which usually is, depending on the dentist's fee and what type of dentistry performed, around 10 % - 15 % of the total cost. For more expensive dental work above the age of 65 the patients only pay 7800 SEK (~ $1,000) plus the cost of the dental material that was used.

The English title given to dental graduates in Sweden is D.D.S (University Degree in Dental Surgery) as well as a BSc (Bachelor of Science in Dental Science) until 2013. Due to the implementation of Bologna the dental high schools changed the title D.D.S to Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery and the BSc is replaced by Master of Science (120 credits) in Dental Science.

All dentists in the European Union/EES are eligible to work in Sweden. Dentists with an exam outside EES are required to take a one year course at Karolinska in Stockholm.

Dentistry in Taiwan

All the dental schools are undergraduate entry in Taiwan. After graduating from high school, students are required to take a 6 year dental program to complete their DDS/DMD degree. Dental school admissions are competitive in Taiwan. Only students obtain top 3% of academic results in the Taiwan Joint College Entrance Exam for admission in Taiwan will be admitted. The tuition for dental schools are around TWD 70,000-75,000 (~USD 2,200-2,400) per semester. Students are also required to pay additional fees for tools and other materials most of time. Students should complete 5 years of medical basic and dental professional courses at their own universities ,followed by a year of internships before graduation. During summer vacation, clerkship is recommended for students to acquire experience for the future. The first dental school in Taiwan belonged to the School of Dentistry at National Taiwan University which was founded in 1953. There are currently 7 dental schools in Taiwan:

China Medical University (Taiwan)
China Medical University (ROC)
China Medical University was founded in 1958 as China Medical College . In 2003, the institution renamed itself to its present name...

www.cmu.edu.tw
Chung Shan Medical University
Chung Shan Medical University
Chung Shan Medical University is a medical university, located in Taichung City, Taiwan. It is close to the Daqing railway station.- Campus :...

www.csmu.edu.tw
Kaohsiung Medical University
Kaohsiung Medical University
The Kaohsiung Medical University , originally known as Kaohsiung Medical College, is a private university located in Kaohsiung, Republic of China .-History:...

www.kmu.edu.tw
National Defense Medical Center
National Defense Medical Center
The National Defense Medical Center is a ROC military affiliated medical school in Taipei, Taiwan. The NDMC is responsible for the training of military doctors, nurses and other medical personnel.- History :...

www.ndmctsgh.edu.tw
National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University is a national co-educational university located in Taipei, Republic of China . In Taiwan, it is colloquially known as "Táidà" . Its main campus is set upon 1,086,167 square meters in Taipei's Da'an District. In addition, the university has 6 other campuses in Taiwan,...

www.ntu.edu.tw
National Yang Ming University
National Yang Ming University
National Yang-Ming University is a public university in Shipai, Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for its academic programs related to Medicine, Life Sciences and Biotechnology...

www.ym.edu.tw
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University was founded as Taipei Medical College in 1960. It was renamed as Taipei Medical University in 2000. Its campus is in Wuxing Street, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan...

www.tmu.edu.tw

Dentistry in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, dentists complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a B.D.S. or BChD degree. After graduating most dentists will enter a V.T. (vocational training) scheme, of either 1 or 2 years length, to receive their full National Health Service

National Health Service

The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...

registration. Dentists must register with the G.D.C. (General Dental Council

General Dental Council

The General Dental Council is a United Kingdom organisation which regulates all dental professionals in the country. Established in 1956 by an amendment to the Dentists Act 1948, now updated in the Dentists Act 1984, it keeps an up-to-date register of all qualified dentists and other dental care...

), and meet their requirements as the governing body of the profession, before being allowed to practice.

See List of dental schools in the United Kingdom

Dentistry in the United States

In the United States dentistry

Dentistry

is generally practiced by dentist

Dentist

A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...

s who have completed a post-graduate course of professional education. With exception of rural Alaska, 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 are not permitted to practice in the United States. Use of dental therapists, dental health aids, or dental hygienists to independently perform routine fillings or cleaning is strongly opposed by the American Dental Association

American Dental Association

The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 which has more than 155,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental...

, (the A.D.A.), the dentists' professional association. This has resulted in excellent but high-priced treatment which, however, fails to delivers services at a reasonable price to the lower social classes. With only a few exceptions, neither government-sponsored health care programs such as Medicare

Medicare (United States)

Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...

nor Medicaid

Medicaid

Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...

cover routine dental treatment. As a result large sections of the population do without. The worst conditions are in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Rates for dental services have been rising rapidly, out pacing the rate of inflation. After falling for many years, the percentage of both adults and children with unfilled cavities began to rise in 2000 as did the percentage of adults with no teeth. Increasingly, people with adequate income to pay the fees are forgoing treatment.

Dental therapists

Outside the United States, more than 50 countries allow technicians called dental therapists to drill and fill cavities, usually in children. In the U.S., most state boards of dentistry have blocked dental therapists from working, arguing that only dentists should be allowed to drill teeth, because it is an "irreversible surgical procedure" and "can lead to serious complications like infections or nerve damage". The University of Minnesota is the first University in the United States to start a dental therapy program. http://www.dentistry.umn.edu/programs_admissions/DentalTherapyPrograms/home.html

Dental education in the United States

There are limited opportunities for dental education in the United States with only 4,440 graduating in 2003, down from 5,750 in 1982. There is little or no movement on the part of the American Dental Association

American Dental Association

, the ADA, or the states to expand dental education. Due to the hands-on training required, dental education is expensive and is not subsidized by the federal government. The average dental student graduates with over $200,000 in debt.

In the United States, dentists earn either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery

Doctor of Dental Surgery

) or D.M.D.(Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. There is no difference in the training for either degree. The degrees are equivalent, and recognized equally by all state boards of dentistry. There are 56 Accredited Dental schools in the United States requiring 4 years of post graduate study (except for one unique 3 year program at the University of the Pacific)http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp. Most applicants to dental school have attained at least a B.S. or B.A. degree, however, a small percentage are admitted after only fulfilling specific prerequisite courses. So unlike many other countries (other than US, Canada, and Australia), it usually takes more than 8 years to become a dentist. (List of dental schools in the United States) The difference relates to the history involved in the division of medicine and surgery in medical practice. There has been a recent movement to include a 5th year of education or residency that focuses on purely practical training in the clinical setting. In at least one state, New York, a state dental license can be received without taking the licensing exam (State Board Exam) upon completing this additional year of training (usually in the form of a GPR or AEGD).

Licensure is organized on three levels in most areas. Many dentists must pass National Boards, Regional Boards, and then take a jurisprudence exam accepted by their state to fulfill their requirements to get a state license. Not all states require or even accept regional boards. Although a state license is only valid in the issuing state, because of the regional boards a dentist may be able to apply for licensure in any other state within the jurisdiction of their regional board. There are many cooperative agreements between states that allow recognition of another state's license so as to procure a license either via "licensure by credentials" or "licensure by reciprocity." Although a national licensure exam has yet to be made, the American Dental Association

American Dental Association

(ADA) has worked with education and examining groups to form such an exam.http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=1760

A dentist may go on for further training in a dental specialty which require an additional 1 to 7 years of post-doctoral training. There are 9 recognized dental specialties. They are Endodontics

Endodontics

(root canal treatment), Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics (gums), Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics

(complicated dental reconstruction), Orthodontics

Orthodontics

(moving teeth), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (surgery of the mouth and face), and Dental Public Health. There is no specialty in esthetic dentistry or implantology, and no additional training is required for a dentist to make the claim of being an esthetic or cosmetic dentist. Dentists are forbidden to claim that they are specialists in areas of practice in which there is no recognized specialty. They may limit their practices to a single area of dentistry, and claim that their practice is limited to that area.

Any general dentist may perform those procedures designated within the enumerated specialties if they deem themselves competent. Many general dentists train in certain aspects of the above specialties such as the placement and restoration of dental implants, advanced prosthodontics and endodontics, and have limited or heavily focused their practices to these areas. When a general dentist performs any procedure that falls within the realm of a specialty, they are expected to perform with the same level of expertise as a certified specialist and are legally held to such standards with respect to any issues of malpractice.

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