At the dentist .

Oral health is a state of complete normality and functional efficiency of the teeth and supporting structures.

When we have a toothache, bleeding gums, swelling, bad breath or any other dental trouble, we visit our dentist. Sometimes we may visit him for prophylaxis.

There are several medical institutions in our country that provide dental aid for the population. They are dental polyclinics, dental departments in out-patient clinics of general purpose, private dental clinics, dental hospitals and dental departments in general hospitals.

When a patient comes to a dentist for the first time, the doctor asks the patient about his dental history and his health in general. Then the dentist examines teeth, soft tissues, bone structures and extra-oral structures. If routine of this nature is not maintained, then omissions may occur. During the examination the doctor uses such dental instruments as dental mirror, different probes (angular and straight) and some other equipment. During the treatment – different burs, grinding wheel, reamer and other facilities. Dentists also use local anesthesia to reduce discomfort.

Usually dental examination comes through several stages: visual examination (study of general facial expression, color of the skin and the general appearance of a patient), questioning (learning of symptoms, signs, dental history), physical examination (palpation, percussion), examination of the mouth and extra-oral structures, instrumental study (X-ray) and laboratory tests. To reveal any areas of decay, which are not detectable, dentists take X-ray. Dentists are the only medical professionals who interpret their own radiographs.

We know that dental treatment causes discomfort and pain. That is why this job requires not only good professional knowledge but also ”creative hands” and tolerance.

Dental Service in the United States of America.

In the United States about 7 million people work in the medical-care system, the largest field of employment in the country. There are about 150000 practicing dentists in the USA for the population of 220 million.

About 90% of dentists are engaged in private practice. 70% of them work in solo practices and the remainder are members of practice groups (20% work in a practice with one other dentist; about 10% work with two or more dentists). 80% of active dentists are engaged in general practice.

There are eight recognized dental specialties in the USA today. They are dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics.

There are four kinds of dental care institutions in the USA: dental clinics, dental departments in out-patient clinics, private dental clinics and movable dental complexes.

Usually American dental teams include such members as a receptionist, nurse, hygienist, dentist, surgeon, orthopedist, laboratory technician and others. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals providing therapeutic services and supporting total health through the promotion of the oral one. Patients come to see a hygienist twice a year for regular dental check-ups. This dental specialist removes plaque and deposits of the teeth. An average dentist may have more than 3000 patients a year.

Dental care in the USA is very expensive. In 1994, e.g., the average income of a general dental practitioner was about 117,6 US dollars. However, many people have private health insurance or they pay cash. For people who cannot pay there are two federal programs—Medicare (for the elderly and the disabled) and Medicaid (for low-income groups).

Work of an out-patient dental department.

When we have a toothache, bleeding gums, swelling, bad breath or any other dental trouble, we visit a dentist.

There are several medical institutions in our country that provide dental aid for the population. They are dental polyclinics, dental departments in out-patient clinics of general purpose, private dental clinics, dental hospitals and dental departments in general hospitals. The most numerous types of dental curative institutions in our country are dental polyclinics.

Polyclinic is a medical institution that provides out-patient treatment by doctors of various specialities, diagnostics of diseases, therapy and prophylaxis. In Russia there are state and private dental clinics, and polyclinics for children and adults.

Every stomatological polyclinic has different specialists: dentists, surgeons, orthopedists, laboratory technicians, hygienists and others. The out-patient dental clinics work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Specialists see patients in consulting rooms during reception hours. After the reception hours doctors on duty receive only urgent patients.

The out-patient dental clinics have registry, consulting rooms, chemical laboratories, X-ray and physiotherapy sections. Entering the out-patient dental clinic a patient goes to the registry first. There he can get general information about the work of the polyclinic and its specialists, write out a slip or take the patient’s card.