Dentist - description of the profession, types and salaries of dentists

History of the profession

The very first mentions of dental therapy are found in the history of Ancient Egypt. Tools similar to modern analogues have been found more than once in tombs. Many more Egyptian skulls with crowns on their teeth were also discovered there, and these were not only rich people. Judging therefore, it can be said that some types of dentistry were developed in Egypt. In addition, the first toothpaste was mentioned at the same time . It included:

• ashes of the burnt entrails of a bull;
• ground eggshell;
• myrrh;
• crushed pumice.

Then in the IV-V centuries. BC, the great Hippocrates became interested in this science. He recommended eliminating pain with a hot iron. At that time, many people suffered from toothache and did not understand how to deal with it. Fatalities from common flux were common, and during the time of Hippocrates, dentistry advanced several steps forward.

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The first toothbrushes appeared in the Middle East in 500 AD. And in the 4th century AD. e. found forceps used to pull out bad teeth. And also powerful drugs that relieve pain appeared: arsenic and opium. Therefore, people began to understand that there is no need to rush to remove teeth, but that they can be treated. So, in 659 the first fillings appeared.

This specialization developed, and already in Russia, during the reign of Peter I, the profession of dentist officially arose, and rapidly became popular among men and women. In 1881, the first educational institution appeared in St. Petersburg, which trained future dentists. Then such institutions began to open throughout Russia.

February 9 is considered to be International Dentist Day, which falls on the day of St. Apollonia. After all, it was she who accepted martyrdom for Christ. She was tortured with forceps, which caused hellish pain.

Types of specialization

This type of activity is multidisciplinary and covers a wide range of activities. Therefore, modern science has divided this branch of knowledge into a number of specialized specialties:

1. Dentist-therapist . You can find out what this doctor does if a person has dental problems and pain. His responsibilities include a preliminary examination of the patient’s teeth and prescribing subsequent treatment. He also treats caries and inflammation in the oral cavity. After examination and diagnosis, the doctor refers you to specialized specialists.
2. Prosthetist . If the therapist did not cope with the task, then people come to this doctor. He deals with prosthetics and offers different options to patients. Then he makes a description, impressions of the teeth and adjusts them to the particular structure of the patient’s mouth.
3. Dental hygienist . Examines the oral cavity, removes plaque, polishes enamel and advises people on the prevention of dental diseases.
4. Orthopedist . It is based on the removal of distortions in the bite and the installation of different types of orthopedic dentures - removable, fixed and combined, and also corrects the position of the teeth in the oral cavity.
5. Surgeon . You cannot do without it, because there are cases when surgical intervention is necessary. The surgeon prepares the oral cavity for the upcoming procedure of inserting dentures. His competence includes jaw practice, treatment of wounds on the face and mouth, and jaw restoration.
6. Maxillofacial surgeon . The specialty of these doctors was complex operations of various types using general anesthesia and correction of the jaw area.
7. Pediatric dentist . In young children, baby teeth have certain characteristics, and working with them requires skills. In addition, the pediatrician must get along with children so that they are not afraid before the procedure.
8. Orthodontist . Unlike an orthopedist, he deals primarily with exceptional cases, anomalies, and deviations in the development of the jaw.
9. Periodontist . Specializes in the gums and soft tissues that support and surround teeth. Consults patients about bleeding gums, the appearance of tartar and plaque on teeth.

All these names, or rather, specialties, can be mastered at the Faculty of Dentistry of a medical university. The first 2-3 years are spent on general training, and then there will be training in a specific profession. It is for this that you need to pass the exam for the category.

Children's

Children and adolescents under the age of 17 are patients of the pediatric dentist. A child's teeth have many differences from adult teeth.

This includes the presence of baby teeth, the constant renewal and formation of the dentofacial apparatus, and the inability to use certain anesthetics for children.

And the reaction of children to the dental chair creates increased problems.

A dentist treating children must not only be able to distinguish pathology from the age norm, detect deviations in bite and tooth formation in time, but also be a bit of a psychologist.

Job Responsibilities

Even at the institute, immediately after admission, the student is prepared for future work and clearly delineates what will become his vocation.

Job responsibilities of a dentist include:

• carrying out diagnostics and providing all types of dental services to the patient;
• treatment of teeth, oral cavity and maxillofacial area;
• preparation of dental and orthopedic instruments and their correct use for their intended purpose, adhering to safety precautions;
• collection of biomaterial for analysis;
• carrying out prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of caries;
• correct removal, prosthetics and installation of fillings;
• registration of medical documentation established by law;
• compliance with job instructions.

These are mandatory items that require strict implementation.

Requirements for a dentist

In addition to the clearly limited responsibilities that define the work of a doctor, there are also qualification indicators that are used to guide the employment of specialists.

People who:

• have a diploma with higher medical education, a certificate of a certain specialization;
• passed a medical examination and received a medical certificate;
• have experience in this field;
• have computer skills;
• presence of responsibility, sociability, attentiveness and accuracy.

Personal qualities and skills are no less important for this profession. These include:

• the presence of excellent coordination of movements, hand motor skills, excellent vision;
• knowledge of human anatomy and physiology;
• understanding the effects of medications used in dentistry;
• ability to use specialized instruments, as well as an X-ray machine and interpret images.

It is inherent in a dentist to be a bit of a psychologist, to be able to communicate with nervous patients, to correctly explain the situation in order to relieve nervousness and calm the patient.

Principles of training

If you decide to become a dentist, then you need to understand that this profession is very responsible. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a medical education.

Those who are interested in dentistry are wondering: how long to study to become a dentist and what is needed for this. To enter a university, you must:

• complete 11 grades in a secondary school;
• pass the appropriate exams in biology, chemistry and Russian.

It is necessary to understand whether a person is ready for this profession. To obtain a specialty in this field, you need good study and a specific goal, as well as the ability to find an approach to even the most picky and harmful patients.

Salary and place of work

As mentioned earlier, the profession is in demand and profitable. Therefore, dentists have a wide choice of places to work:

• public and private clinics;
• dental offices;
• sanatoriums and children's institutions.

Factors that affect wages are length of service, qualifications and region.

Salaries in the specialty range from 30,000 to 100,000 rubles, and in large cities you can earn much more. As practice shows, in private clinics the income is much different compared to public clinics. On average, it is 45,000 rubles.

Principles of remuneration in public and private clinics

The difference between private and public dentistry in remuneration can be quite significant. For example, in the capital, a dental therapist in a public clinic receives 50-60 thousand rubles , but in a private clinic, all other things being equal, he will receive 80-120 thousand rubles. In public medical institutions, a dentist’s salary consists of the official salary and various allowances. Among other things, such specialists receive additional payments for qualification categories, for a scientific degree (if any), etc.

In private clinics, salaries are calculated differently. At the same time, such institutions often compete with each other for good specialists, so everyone pays high salaries, and additionally attracts staff with good working conditions - a social package, modern equipment and optics, the presence of assistants, etc.

As a rule, if a dentist does not open his own office, but goes to work as an employee, then a plan for services is set for him, or more precisely, for their total amount. Depending on this, he receives the initially established percentage. At the same time, good clinics set a very realistic plan, taking into account the experience of previous months, and it is not difficult to implement it.

Salary for percentage

Pricing is usually determined by the clinic’s management. But in general, the price of relatively simple manipulations is determined by the cost of the materials used, to which a certain markup is added. However, in some areas of dentistry, the so-called technical cost of work is used - this is, for example, relevant for crowns and veneers, which are made not by the dentist himself, but by a dental technician. In this case, the percentage for calculating the salary of the dentist-therapist will be calculated a little differently. The markup itself can be almost any amount. In private clinics, it includes both payment of taxes and salaries of all staff, so it can be 200% or more.

Gray additional methods earnings

It also happens, of course, that not very conscientious doctors impose additional services where they could have done without it (mostly this concerns some aesthetic problems or professional oral hygiene services, but in general in reputable clinics this rarely happens).

Bonuses and awards

Most private clinics do not offer additional bonuses or bonuses. But some institutions practice training employees in courses and seminars at their own expense, and there are also those that include meals for employees in their benefits package.

Penalties

But there is a system of fines. Basically, they fine small sums for various violations of labor discipline - for example, for being late or for untimely filling out medical documentation. If the doctor makes any mistakes in treatment, then more stringent measures can be taken.

When working in a private clinic, you need to keep in mind that although the registration will be official everywhere, the management still wants to save on taxes. Therefore, many register as part-time doctors in order to minimize their contributions to the tax and pension fund.

Other professions: Average salary for a dental technician

Resume sample

To find a job faster, you need a resume that can be sent to several companies at once. You need to know how to compose it correctly.

The resume must include:

• Full Name;
• Date of Birth;
• contact details: phone, email;
• citizenship;
• experience;
• basic and additional education;
• professional skills;
• knowledge of languages;
• personal qualities.

The resume should be simple and understandable; there is no need to write or invent a lot, because then in practice all the qualities and abilities of the specialist will be assessed.

Hygiene procedures

There is a particularly large queue of people looking through those who are trying to make an appointment with a hygienist. Patients are accustomed to considering him “the safest dentist,” since his intervention is rarely accompanied by pain. In the worst case, the visitor will have to endure half an hour, sitting with his mouth open.

Just such a doctor can be found in nursing homes, schools and other similar institutions. His range of professional responsibilities includes the following manipulations:

• general examination of the oral cavity;
• assessment of gum condition;
• checking the condition of teeth;
• drawing up a dental chart;
• checking for possible tumors;
• examination of the dentition using ultrasound equipment;
• removal of accumulated plaque, stones and stains;
• taking fingerprints.

The last point provides for a large-scale preparatory stage, which unfolds to draw up tactics for full-fledged long-term treatment. Based on the resulting picture, it will be possible to create a schedule of visits and compare them with the procedures required for therapy.

A visit cannot be completed without educational activities, which are aimed at explaining the basics of oral care. In addition to the rules for brushing your teeth and using floss, the expert will also tell you about a special diet, which will be useful for those who constantly seek help due to the rapid development of caries.

He is responsible for periodontal preventive care, which includes subgingival antibacterial irrigation.

The difference between a dentist and a dentist

A dentist is a dentist who is a paramedic. This concept is more commonly used abroad; in some countries it simply has not taken root.

This profession differs in the type of education. You can study at a medical school, college and get a secondary education to become a dentist, but dentists only need a higher education. Accordingly, their specialization will be different.

Responsibilities of a dentist:

• examination of the patient, making a primary diagnosis;
• gum treatment;
• installation of seals;
• oral hygiene instructions;
• provision of pre-medical care and referral to specialists;
• assistance in choosing toothpaste and brush.

A dentist is trained to work with simpler cases than a dentist, so his income will be different.

Therapist and orthopedist

A dentist and dental therapist will be able to provide assistance in treating a diseased tooth or changing a filling. They will both be able to identify the cause, examine the oral cavity, and talk about the rules of dental care. As for dental disease, in this case the dentist will be in a difficult position.

Due to his qualifications, he will not be able to treat deep caries if there are problems with the gums, the tooth is severely damaged, or the pulp is inflamed. With such problems, he will refer the patient to a dentist-therapist.

It is recommended to visit this specialist once every six months to avoid dental diseases.

An orthopedist deals with dental prosthetics. It helps a patient who has lost a tooth to restore chewing function and not be embarrassed to smile. He is also sometimes called a prosthetic dentist. Before visiting an orthopedist, the patient first goes to a dental therapist and after treating the masticatory organs, he refers him to an orthopedist.

The difference between them is clear: one deals with treatment, the other with prosthetics. First you need to go to an appointment with a dental therapist and then an orthopedic dentist. This specialty is now in great demand. Such a specialist will be able to offer the patient several options for prosthetics, including the most modern ones.

Advantages and disadvantages

As in any profession, it is not the subject that matters, how much dentists earn, but the positive and negative nuances.

The positive aspects of working as a dentist include:

• qualifications are in demand in all countries of the world;
• high profit payment;
• normal working hours;
• Private practice is possible when you have a lot of experience.

There are also negative indicators that should not be forgotten. The negative aspects include:

• greater responsibility for the patient;
• high cost of training;
• possible stressful situations at work;
• competition;
• expensive equipment and tools;
• the need to constantly improve skills;
• working with different people.

Dentistry is a kind of art that has always been considered a prestigious profession. Therefore, every year students enter universities for this specialty in order to learn and then work and receive high wages.

How much does a dentist earn in Western countries?

USA

In the US, most dentists have their own private practice, for which they need to obtain a license. The salary level is up to $80 per hour and up to 140 thousand dollars per year - this is a whole industry here.

Germany

In Germany, a dentist can earn up to 6,000 euros per month, and this is before taxes. However, this mainly applies only to experienced specialists, and beginners receive up to 3,500 euros. In East Germany, income levels are much lower; here, even an experienced doctor can only earn 4,500 euros. In England, a dental therapist earns at least 7.5 pounds per hour. The annual income of such a specialist is 97-98 thousand pounds.

Canada