The common face of the Dental Surgeon as one who removes teeth is fast changing. Teeth are for ones entire life, is the paradigm shift undergone in modern Dental Surgery.
MODERN Dental Surgery as being practised today, has developed over hundreds of years of research based on various fields of science.
The common face of the Dental Surgeon as one who removes teeth is fast changing. Teeth are for ones entire life, is the paradigm shift undergone in modern Dental Surgery.
The present day Dental Surgeon is primarily concerned with health promotion and prevention. He would advise the community, social leaders and the patients on the importance of good health and therefore the value of good general hygiene and oral hygiene.
The key oral health messages, the use of fluoridated toothpaste, brushing after meals, and control of sugar intake are emphasized to patients at every visit.
In spite of these measures if some teeth are affected by dental caries or gum disease (periodontal disease) then the Dental Surgeon will do his best to save the teeth and not take the easy path of extracting them.
In the case of dental caries, the dental surgeon has the option of either simple restorations or doing root canal therapy using the modern equipment and pharmaceuticals available to them. If the teeth are badly broken down porcelain crowns and bridges will be done.
In more severe cases, dental implants may have to be done. This is a process whereby titanium implants are embedded into the jaw bone.
If teeth become loose due to periodontal disease (gum disease) many treatment options are available to strengthen them by procedures like deep scaling, periodontal surgery, splinting and bonding. Regeneration of alveolar bone and at times grafting of bone is done for these conditions.
The incidence of oral cancer in Sri Lanka is the highest of all cancers of the body. Early detection is of utmost importance for a good prognoses in treatment of oral carcinoma.
Oral Surgeons in the field of Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery perform major surgery in Carcinoma, Tumors, Cysts and Correction of Deformities and Fractures of the Mandible and Mazilla.
Those who have an aptitude for research will be discovering new materials, drugs, equipments and new methods of treatment. In the modern consumeristic society the demand for dental treatment is shifting towards aesthetic dentistry.
Tooth whitening, crown and bridge work and dental implants are now developing into a greater focus of treatment.
Entry Requirements
Students are selected for the undergraduate course at the Faculty of Dental Sciences based on the advanced level examination. The selection process is done by the University Grants Commission taking into account the District Quota System.
The annual intake to the Faculty of Dental Sciences is seventy five (75). Though nearly 95,000 students become eligible for University Education only around 17,000 are admitted to the 13 Universities in Sri Lanka on the availability of seats for various disciplines of study.
The training programme consists of four years as a residential internal student of the Faculty of Dental Science of University of Peradeniya. In the first year the students learn basic sciences comprising of General Anatomy, Physiology, Bio Chemistry and Dental Anatomy.
In the second year they learn Pharmacology, General Pathology, Microbiology, General Medicine and General Surgery. The clinical dental training commences in the third year and goes on for the fourth year until they sit for the final exam.
They are trained in subjects such as Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology, Periodontology, Paedontics, Orthodontics Prosthetics, Restorative Dentistry and Community Dentistry.
Entry into Foreign Dental Faculties
Since every student who aspires to do Dental Surgery is unable to gain entrance to the Peradeniya Dental Faculty some take the other option of going abroad.
Many Dental Faculties in India, Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Nepal take students for their courses based on the Sri Lankan advanced level results.
There are many scholarships awarded to study Dental Surgery in foreign countries. Some students avail themselves of these and the others have to pay the course fee on their own as private students.
Once they qualify from the foreign dental schools these graduates need to register themselves with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and obtain the licences to practise.
This is done by passing the examination ERPDS (Examination for Registration to Practice Dental Surgery) conducted biannually by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Once a Foreign or Local Graduate is registered they have the option of joining the Department of Health, Private Sector Hospitals or start a General Dental Practice.
They could also join the Defence Services Medical Corps in the Army, Navy and Air Force and serve as Dental Surgeons and Specialists.
Post Graduate examinations
A specialist is a person who will advance his skills and knowledge on a particular discipline of Dental Surgery and provide a service to the public. The Specialist training programmes are conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo through the Board of Study in Dental Surgery.
The Specialities so far established are, Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry and Community Dentistry. Many other go abroad to countries like United Kingdom and the United States to obtain their post graduate qualifications.
In addition there is a Diploma Course conducted for Diploma in Hospital Dental Practice. Course in Oral Pathology and General Dental practice are in the process of being organised.
Academic training leading to MPhil and PhD in various disciplines are done in the Faculty of Dental Sciences and the Faculties of Medicine. The Post Graduate Examination could be read by those Dental Surgeons in Government Service as well as those in the Private Sector.
Working Conditions of a Dental Surgeon
The working environment of a Dental Surgeon depends on the type of service that he chooses.
It will vary widely from serving in a city or rural village or in the Armed Services in conflict areas since they deal with human beings who are in need of their services as an one to one basis for their illness and suffering.
A Dental Surgeon who is a member of the healing team derives great satisfaction by alleviating pain and suffering of their fellow citizens.
Dr. Hilary COORAY
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/04/19/fea20.asp
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