What Do General Dentists Do?

Of an estimated 202,536 dentists practicing in the United States, approximately 79% percent are general dentists. Unlike specialists, who are mostly focused on a particular aspect of dental practice, general dentists provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health, including:

• Preventive services — These help you maintain good oral health by stopping disease before it takes hold in your mouth. Regular exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings are a cornerstone of prevention. Your general dentist may give you detailed instructions to improve your at-home oral hygiene, and may also recommend preventive treatments such as fluoride and sealants, if needed. And if you lead an active lifestyle, you can be fitted with a custom-made mouthguard at your dentist’s office.

• Restorative Services — When a problem is found, your dentist will ensure you get timely and appropriate treatment. Probably the most common (and highly effective) dental restoration involves removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the affected tooth. But that’s not the only restorative procedure general dentists provide. They offer you a place to go when you need prompt treatment for dental trauma—for example, a broken, loosened or knocked-out tooth. General dentists can diagnose and treat the causes of tooth pain or periodontal (gum) disease. They may also offer treatments for missing teeth, place crowns or bridgework, and help you get fitted with dentures. Some provide more advanced treatments, such as root canal therapy, orthodontics, and dental implants, as well.
  
• Cosmetic Procedures — Many general dentists can help you get the sparkling smile you’ve always wanted with a range of cosmetic procedures. These include teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding—even porcelain veneers. If a brighter smile is what you’re looking for, ask your general dentist about a smile makeover.
  
• Overall Health Concerns — In many respects, your oral health can be seen as a mirror of your general health. Some dental problems may reflect issues in other parts of your body, and vice versa. For example, untreated oral infections can lead to poorer control of diabetes, an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, and complications during pregnancy. General dentists are trained to identify these and other issues, and offer appropriate treatment or referral when needed. A general dentist can offer treatment of TMJ disorders and oral cancer screenings. Working with your doctor, they can treat obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially deadly condition that can sometimes be resolved with an oral appliance. General dentists can also offer nutritional counseling, advice on tobacco cessation and general health and wellness information.

What is a General Dentist?

General dentists diagnose, treat, and manage oral healthcare needs. They offer a wide range of services aimed at maintaining oral health and treating dental disease, including preventive care, restorative treatments and cosmetic procedures.

Who is the one health care provider you see more than any other? For many people, the answer is their general dentist. There’s a good reason for that—it’s because general dentistry is uniquely oriented toward the prevention of disease. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are either diagnostic or preventive. By placing a strong emphasis on oral health and hygiene, general dentists help people avoid the progression of oral diseases. If left untreated, these eventually result in pain, lost time at work or school—and an estimated cost of billions of dollars each year.

At a routine visit to your family dentist, you will probably have a thorough examination of your mouth (including teeth, gums, and other structures), a professional cleaning, and a discussion about your dental (and overall) health. If your exam reveals the presence of tooth decay, you will probably also get a filling in the affected tooth.

You may need more complex procedures such as root canals, crowns, braces, dental implants or dentures. To reduce the cost of dental treatments, many people rely on dental insurance or dental savings plans. The calculator below shows the cost of dental procedures and the reduced costs you’d pay as a member of a dental savings plan.

What Qualifications Do General Dentists Have?

After completing their undergraduate education, all general dentists have successfully completed four years at an accredited dental school. In addition, they have fulfilled the requirements (including testing and continuing education) of state licensing boards. Some dentists have the initials DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) following their names, while others have DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). The only difference between the two is the title used on their dental school’s degrees; their education and training is exactly the same.

In addition to their standard training, some general dentists may opt to take special training in particular areas. This could be a year-long general practice residency (which may include a focus on implant placement) or multiple years in specialty residencies such as periodontal, oral surgery, endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontal, pediatric or oral medicine.

When Should I See The Dentist?

The short answer is: This varies according to your oral and overall health needs. The ADA recommends that you ask your dentist how often you need to get regular checkups. Typically, your dentist will want you to get a checkup at least twice a year. Apart from your regular checkups, you should make an appointment whenever you have a concern about your oral health. You may have a clear signal (such as a toothache or bleeding gums) that something in your mouth needs attention. Or, you may have heard of a cosmetic procedure that you’d like to find out more about. In either case, don’t hesitate to call the dental office.

In terms of routine dental appointments, there isn’t a single schedule that fits all patients. Depending on your individual circumstances, your dentist may want to see you twice a year, every three months, or another interval. Whatever it is, be sure to make those appointments. Keeping up with the recommended schedule of preventive treatment and practicing effective oral hygiene at home are the two best ways to prevent dental disease and keep your smile healthy as you age. Need a dentist? Find the perfect dentist for you.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.