April is Dental Health Month. We tend to say “I’m off to the dentist” but who is it we actually
see? Many of us are unaware of the team work and complex training behind our dental visits.
Knowing who does what is important in maintaining your own and your family’s oral health.
If you are going for a regular check-up and cleaning, you are most likely to be served by four
members of the dental team: a dentist, receptionist, dental hygienist and dental assistant.
The receptionist schedules your appointment, greets you when you arrive, processes your
payment or insurance form, and trouble shoots.

Dental hygienists scale or root plane away tartar and plaque, take measurements of the gum and
bone, apply fluoride and other treatments, and provide patient information. Most dental hygienists
complete a three diploma program.

Dental assistants must complete a ten month training program and a national board exam. They
are the people who settle you into the chair, record or update your medical history, take routine
x-rays and works in tandem with the dentist on any dental procedure you may need. “The dentist
and dental assistant work side by side all day long,” says Dr. Sylvie Renoir, an Edmonton dentist.
“The assistant does much more than hand instruments to the dentist. It is more like a good
relationship: you need to communicate well and share the common goal of putting the patient
first.”

The dentist is responsible and accountable for everything that goes on in the dental office. Only
the registered dentist is educated and trained to diagnose oral health problems, plan treatment,
prescribe medication or screen for oral cancer. During a typical office visit, the dentist takes a
thorough look around the teeth and gums, reviews the x-rays, recommends and implements
treatment, provides patient education and/or gives a referral to a dental specialist. Dentists
complete six or more years of training and must be members in good standing of the Alberta
Dental Association and College, the body that sets standards and guidelines for the profession.
Dentists may take additional years of training to specialize in orthodontics (braces and other
appliances), pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, implants), dental radiology,
maxillofacial oral surgery (reconstructive surgery), endodontics (e.g. root canals), periodontics
(gums and soft tissues) or other specialties.

A related member of the dental team is the dental technologist who work in a dental laboratory to
make appliances, dentures, crowns and bridges.
“Dentistry is as complex and varied as medicine,” says Dr. Renoir, “and like the medical team,
we need to put the patient’s well-being first. All of our roles are crucial and interdependent; it’s
important that we work together as a well-functioning team.”
For more information about the oral health team, talk to your dentist or go to the Alberta Dental
Association and College website www.abda.ab.ca.

Media contact:
Kimberly McDonald
Alberta Dental Association and College
Phone: (780) 432-1012 or toll free 1-800-843-3848

BACKGROUNDER

Dental Specialists
Dental specialists are dentists who have eight or more years of university education in dentistry
and a dental specialty. While general dentists can perform the procedures specialists do, there are
complex treatment needs which are best done under the care of dental specialists.

Endodontists
Dental specialists who diagnose and treat the nerves and blood supply of the teeth when they are
injured or diseased. They most often perform root canals, which is the removal of the diseased
tissue inside of the tooth and filling of the canal to prolong the use (or function) of the tooth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems related to the jaw and facial structures. This
includes extracting teeth, diagnosis and treating cysts and tumors, treating jaw abnormalities and
treating traumatic facial injuries.

Orthodontists
Dental specialists who diagnose and treat a poor bite and improperly positioned teeth to improve
the functioning of the teeth and their overall cosmetic appearance. Most often young people seek
treatment from orthodontists, but adults are also being successfully treated.

Pediatric Dentists
Dental specialists who diagnose and treat dental problems in children. Some children have unique
medical or physical problems requiring special management, technical skills or procedures.

Periodontists
Dental specialists who diagnose and treat diseases of the gums and supporting structures and
tissues. Periodontal treatment rescues and maintains teeth that would otherwise be extracted.

Prosthodontists
Dental specialists who diagnose and repair badly broken-down teeth, as well as missing teeth and
structures with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Dental cosmetics is part of their expertise,
as is the correct functioning of a person's bite.

Oral Pathologists
Dental specialists who examine and diagnose diseases of the oral tissues. These dentists normally
work in laboratory settings and examine tissues sent to them by other dentists.

Oral Radiologists
Dental specialists who provide detailed diagnoses from examining sets of x-rays.

Public Health Dentists
Dental specialists who provide dental services to large population groups through
programs that are generally funded by government agencies.