A dentist is a professional health care provider who takes care of your teeth, gums, articulations and nerves. They help prevent or treat diseases in this area and give advice on good oral hygiene habits to patients.

Dentistry is a rewarding career for many reasons. Most notably, it gives people relief from pain and a path to better dental health. It is also an opportunity to work closely with people and build lifelong relationships with them. And finally, it is a flexible career that allows people to balance their professional and personal lives.

Dentists often work in private dental practices where they perform routine exams and cleanings, diagnose and treat a range of oral problems, and prescribe oral medications. Those who own their own practices have the advantage of scheduling appointments at times that are convenient for their patients.

What to Look for When Choosing a Dentist for Your Family

Other types of dentists may work in community health centers and hospitals where they provide dental care to underserved populations. They can also collaborate with healthcare professionals such as otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists and neurologists to assist them in treating medically complex patients.

There are six dental clinical specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). These include endodontics, which focuses on root canal therapy, periodontics, which treats gum disease and focuses on tooth straightening, and prosthodontics, which deals with false teeth. Other specialty areas include oral and maxillofacial surgery, which specializes in treating injuries and disorders of the mouth and jaws, and dental anesthesiology, which offers advanced pain management services to patients undergoing dental or surgical procedures.