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Jaydin
Student
Atlantic, Iowa
2
Questions
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Why does dentistry have 8 years of schooling?
I am in grade 12
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2 answers
Steven Bornfeld
Owner, Mark and Steven Bornfeld DDS
57
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New York, New York
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Steven’s Answer
This is a rather philosophical question, but there are some practical aspects too. Dental schools require courses in some of the same basic sciences required in medical school--anatomy, biochemistry, histology, pathology, microbiology. It is difficult to impossible to get grounded in these areas without having been through chemistry, biology and physics at the college level. The dental school curriculum is long enough without having to bring dental students up to speed in the basic sciences.
Philosophically, you can say with some justification that a lot of what is taught in the pre-clinical years is not really required of most practicing dentists. But dentistry is a lot broader than the solo dentist doing bread-and-butter dentistry in their own office. Some will go into academia; some into public health; some into industry. Then there is arguably the benefits of having a more-rounded education. I'm not going to argue that case here, but I will mention another potential practical consideration. In the last few decades, so-called "mid-level providers" have emerged on the scene. The rationale for this is that you certainly don't need 8 years of education to be able to recognize tooth decay and learn to remove it and place fillings. So in some states, and especially in areas with poor supply of dentists, these "dental therapists" have been rendering treatment to patients, and can deliver it more cheaply than dentists can--in part because they don't have such huge student loans to pay back. If dentists are to continue to be the profession of choice for delivering dental care, they will need to show that their education makes them superior to the midlevel providers out there.
Philosophically, you can say with some justification that a lot of what is taught in the pre-clinical years is not really required of most practicing dentists. But dentistry is a lot broader than the solo dentist doing bread-and-butter dentistry in their own office. Some will go into academia; some into public health; some into industry. Then there is arguably the benefits of having a more-rounded education. I'm not going to argue that case here, but I will mention another potential practical consideration. In the last few decades, so-called "mid-level providers" have emerged on the scene. The rationale for this is that you certainly don't need 8 years of education to be able to recognize tooth decay and learn to remove it and place fillings. So in some states, and especially in areas with poor supply of dentists, these "dental therapists" have been rendering treatment to patients, and can deliver it more cheaply than dentists can--in part because they don't have such huge student loans to pay back. If dentists are to continue to be the profession of choice for delivering dental care, they will need to show that their education makes them superior to the midlevel providers out there.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Jaydin!
There are only two sets of teeth at this stage! Infant and Adult teeth. That shall change soon!
There is a similarly protracted duration of study in specialist medicine. Medical professionals require this time to become familiar with the functions and treatments for the many systems of the human organism.
Dentistry is not nearly as extensive! Only a fraction of the digestive system!
It is all about Quality of Care! A Longer Training Duration Ensures It! [Adequate Training.]
GOD BLESS!
There are only two sets of teeth at this stage! Infant and Adult teeth. That shall change soon!
There is a similarly protracted duration of study in specialist medicine. Medical professionals require this time to become familiar with the functions and treatments for the many systems of the human organism.
Dentistry is not nearly as extensive! Only a fraction of the digestive system!
It is all about Quality of Care! A Longer Training Duration Ensures It! [Adequate Training.]
GOD BLESS!