Dentists often label their services as ‘general’ and ‘cosmetic’, but is there a difference between the two dentists? Unfortunately, that question is a difficult one to answer.
There are many similarities between a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist, such as the type of educational background that is required and the patients they see. The difference between the two types of dentists can be found in the type of continuing education that is attended and the type of services that will be offered.
Both cosmetic dentists and general dentists have the same basic type of educational background. Both dentists have attended and graduated from an accredited four year college with an undergraduate degree. The undergraduate degree that was obtained is typically a pre-med degree, but it can be anything related to medicine or science.
After graduating from a four year college, both cosmetic dentists and general dentists go on to attend dental school. Dental school typically lasts four years and provides all the training needed to administer dental care to patients.
It is commonly assumed that general dentists and cosmetic dentists attend difference classes during dental school, but they do not. Cosmetic dentistry is not considered an acknowledged specialty by the ADA, or American Dental Association. This means that there are no special classes or courses offered through a dental school.
An individual who wishes to become a cosmetic dentist must first go through all the same schooling as a general dentist. After graduation, the individual will typically practice as a general dentist while attending continuing educational courses and lectures to study dental techniques and procedures that will make them a cosmetic dentist.
The continuing educational courses can be attended by any general dentist who wishes to perform cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic dental procedures often include veneers, implants, teeth whitening, and tooth manipulation.
Essentially, a cosmetic dentist is someone who has refined their cosmetic skills through continuing education and experience. They consider themselves as ‘experts’ in the cosmetic dental field and are confident in offering these types of services.
An example of this is Feldhake & Associates. They are a complete dental office that doubles as a Cosmetic Dentistry Glendale AZ clinic. Visit their website to Know More about what type of dental services, both cosmetic and general, are offered to patients.
