Dentistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Dentistry is a rigorous, clinically focused discipline dedicated to the comprehensive care of oral and maxillofacial health, preparing professionals to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and surrounding tissues. This program integrates scientific foundations with hands-on clinical training to equip graduates for independent practice in promoting overall patient well-being through advanced dental care.

• Biochemical and Biomedical Sciences: Core principles of human anatomy, physiology, histology, and biochemistry as they relate to oral health and systemic disease.
• Occlusion: The study of tooth alignment and jaw relationships, essential for proper function, comfort, and long-term dental health.
• Dental Health and Prevention: Strategies for promoting oral hygiene, fluoride use, sealants, and community-based initiatives to reduce dental disease prevalence.
• Oral Pathology: Identification and management of diseases affecting the oral tissues, including infections, tumors, and mucosal disorders.
• Cariology: In-depth exploration of tooth decay mechanisms, risk assessment, and evidence-based approaches to caries prevention and management.
• Operative Dentistry: Clinical techniques for restoring teeth using fillings, inlays, onlays, and other restorative materials.
• Oral Radiology: Interpretation of dental imaging, including X-rays and advanced modalities, to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Dental Specialties: Foundational knowledge across orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
• Pain Management: Methods for assessing and controlling dental pain, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
• Oral Medicine: Diagnosis and treatment of non-surgical conditions affecting the oral cavity and related structures.
• Clinic and Healthcare Management: Operational aspects of running a dental practice, including scheduling, compliance, billing, and quality assurance.
• Patient Counseling: Communication strategies to educate patients, manage expectations, and support informed decision-making.
• Professional Ethics and Standards: Principles governing ethical conduct, patient confidentiality, informed consent, and legal responsibilities in dental practice.