Every profession has its ups and downs. Sometimes, there are periods when things seem to go from bad to worse. In the case of dentistry, these dark times have been labeled a ‘crisis’. A recent article about the future of dentistry brought this worrying trend back into our conscious once again. The article claimed that dentistry as a profession is on its way out because of an increasing number of alternative options for oral care, such as dental hygienists, cosmetic dentists, or general practitioners with special interest in teeth. As you may know by now, new opportunities don’t appear every day. So if any profession has a great chance of becoming extinct sooner rather than later it’s the one you’re reading about right now.
Dentistry is a Dying Profession
The article claims that ‘dentists are a dying breed’. To be honest, we doubt that even the most pessimistic dentists would agree. What is certain is that dentistry is in a very turbulent phase. But periods of turbulence are, by definition, transitory. There is no indication that the current trend will continue. And if it did, we would be out of a job. Which means that the current ‘crisis’ won’t last for long.
The main reason for the current state of affairs is a shift in dental insurance policies. In many countries, dental insurance has been replaced by a system called ‘no-baseline policy,’ which means that dental care is only covered when it becomes a serious health threat. This has created a situation where dentists are required to provide care when there is no alternative to prevent a patient from experiencing pain.
Dental Hygienists are replacing Dentist
The article claims that dentists will become extinct because dental hygienists are taking over their job. But this is an unlikely scenario. In fact, it’s unlikely that dental hygienists are interested in taking over the job of a dentist. The difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist is huge. You need to study at least 8 years to become a dentist, whereas dental hygienists can easily complete a 3-year course. This means that dental hygienists are trained to clean teeth and to provide advice on how to prevent dental diseases. If a dentist is needed, the hygienist will refer the patient to a dentist. If you ask us, dental hygiene is pretty much a dying profession because it’s not likely that dental hygienists will replace dentists any time soon.
Dentists lose their job to General Practitioners and Oral Surgeons
This is a strange one. The article claims that ‘dentists will lose their job to general practitioners and oral surgeons’. This is unlikely to happen, even though oral surgeons are specialized in oral and maxillofacial surgery. But what is the difference between an oral surgeon and a dentist? Well, an oral surgeon will provide care to patients who need surgery in their mouth.
This could be anything from removing a cyst to performing a bone graft to correct a misaligned jaw. Most dentists won’t be able to do any of these procedures. So, it’s unlikely that their job will be taken over by oral surgeons. On the other hand, a general practitioner will only provide care for patients with minor oral issues. If you break a tooth, you might be treated by a dentist. But if you have bad teeth and you want them fixed, you’ll be referred to a dentist.
Consumers Will be Overwhelmed by the Amount of Choice
The article claims that consumers will be overwhelmed by the amount of choice and that they won’t know where to go to get the best service. This is likely to happen if you are not that familiar with dentistry. But if you know what you want and you have done your research, you won’t be confused by the choice. And, to be honest, this is true for every profession. You will find a dentist that suits your needs. The problem might be that you can’t find the money to pay for the procedure. The fact is that not everyone can afford to go to the dentist. For this reason, we can state that the dental profession isn’t dying because of the amount of choice that the consumer has.
Choosing between a Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist
The article claims that consumers won’t know whether a dentist or a cosmetic dentist should provide them with dental care. This is a difficult one. There are people who want to straighten their teeth and there are people who want to whiten their teeth. This is why dental clinics have popped up all over the place. Consumers can find a clinic that offers both treatments. If you want to get your teeth straightened, you can visit a cosmetic dentist. If you want to get your teeth whitened, you can go to a clinic that offers this service. This means that consumers won’t have to choose between a dentist and a cosmetic dentist.
Conclusion
The article paints a gloomy picture about the future of dentistry. But we don’t think that dentists are a dying breed. In fact, we’re more concerned about the other professions that will become extinct. Because if dental hygienists, general practitioners, and oral surgeons are going to become extinct, we’re the ones who may soon be out of a job. With a few adjustments, the dental profession is well poised to survive the next 10 years.
