Dentistry – A Rewarding Career in Digital Era
Dentistry extends numerous opportunities, challenges and rewards. It is a swiftly changing and amplifying profession. Dentists are qualified members of the healthcare profession who deliver their services to help in disease prevention, intervention and improvement of oral health. In the digital era, dentists are making use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, 3D printing, digital radiography, CBCT and MRI in diagnosing and treating patients.
Dentists are generally the first health care professionals to identify heterogeneity of diseases, ranging from diabetes to oral cancer. Their role is to diagnose and treat problems affecting the teeth, gingival tissue, tongue, lips and jaws. Sometimes, the association and early detection of oral diseases help in timely treatment of underlying systemic problems.
Evolving with Technical Advancements
As the technology is advancing, a myriad of subspecialties in the dental sciences are merging together. A dentist now has the skills and abilities to treat diseases and trauma pertaining to the maxillofacial region. In this era of technological advancements, a dentist’s scope of treatment has expanded tenfold. With the advent of AI, not only has the chair side time of a patient and doctor has reduced, the accuracy and skill of a dentist have also increased. The increased use of technologies such as CAD CAM has changed the way restoration and prosthesis is designed for a patient. Navigated surgeries to perform implant placement or restoration of any maxillofacial defect is the new progress for desirable outcomes of the treatment employed.
VR is another forthcoming dental technology that could help dentists in delivering better care to treatment seekers. In a dental clinic, virtual or augmented reality (AR) could take the form of headphones worn by patients to furnish digital distractions, which can ameliorate the final treatment outcomes.
VR is also used in training to allow dentistry scholars to experience the dental procedures in a digital mode. This is especially useful in getting accustomed to the treatment protocols to be followed in general or rare conditions that need specific attention.
Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry
AI tools are now more congruous than dentists in diagnosing dental problems like tooth decay from different types of dental radiographs. AI algorithms are trained using millions of data points to make opinions grounded on available evidence, giving them an edge over humans when it comes to relating specific conditions.
Overall, oral health is promoted by exercising similar algorithms
The work of a dentist reaches beyond the dental chair and dental clinic. Patient education and motivation is an important aspect of good dental practice. Dentists impart knowledge to the general public on the significance of oral health and disease prevention. Dentistry as a career is rewarding and fulfilling. To serve the oral health needs of people, dentists take the challenge of a lifetime of learning. Dentists of the future generation will have a progressive graph in terms of newer technology, making the practice of dentistry even more exciting than it is today.
Dr Pankaj Dhawan
Center Head
MANAV RACHNA DENTAL CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
