DENTIST

After obtaining a basic degree in dentistry, an officer may choose to specialize in any of the following areas:

ORAL SURGERY

Oral surgery is a field of dental expertise that is related to the treatment of facial injuries, reconstruction of areas around the mouth and maxillofacial, dental implant surgery, care of patients suffering from tumors and jaw cysts as well as restoring conditions such as function and aesthetics of the maxillofacial area. Oral Surgeons are placed in hospitals and they collaborate with other specialists in the hospital in managing patients.

ORTHODONTICS

Orthodontics is a field related to the prevention and correction of irregularities in the arrangement of teeth, bite and jaw. Orthodontists have been specially trained in managing such conditions.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Pediatric Dentistry is a field of expertise related to the dental health care of children from infancy to adolescence. This includes children with medical problems and also those with special needs. This field also deals with cases related to growth disorders, dental diseases as well as traumatic injuries resulting from accidents.

Patients with medical problems include children with cancer, heart problems, blood abnormalities and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and liver disease, as well as those undergoing organ transplants. Meanwhile, children with special needs are those who are physically challenged, have severe learning problems and also have behavioral problems that require special management techniques for dental treatment.

PERIODONTOLOGY

Periodontology is a specialized dental field in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the structures that support the teeth, i.e. the gums and surrounding bone. Gum disease treatment includes scaling, root planing, bite adjustment and periodontal surgery

ORAL MEDICINE AND ORAL PATHOLOGY

Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology are dental specialties related to the identification and management of diseases affecting the mouth and maxillofacial area. It is concerned with the science that investigates the causes of disease, its processes and the effects of those diseases and then related treatments. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Specialists will perform biopsies to diagnose diseases in the mouth, face, salivary glands and jaws as well as manage oral mucosal lesions, oral cancer and pain in the face. These specialists are usually located in research laboratories. The Stomatology Unit at the Medical Research Institute is one of the laboratories responsible for diagnosing and conducting research on oral and maxillofacial diseases.

PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

Dental Public Health Specialists are responsible for providing dental health care to the community either through population-based strategies and community programs. Dental Public Health Specialists are also responsible for the development of dental health policies, program management, dental health promotion and dental disease prevention as well as safety and health aspects of the clinical environment.

RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Restorative dentistry includes functional restoration to ensure teeth are healthy and pain-free for patients with complex problems. Patients under the care of Restorative Dentists are those who have been referred by dental officers or other specialists, who require special treatment or have complex clinical needs and also those who have specific needs, with congenital defects or 'acquired' facial defects, medical problems or learning problems that may cause implications during the treatment given to them.

The scope of this specialty service includes advanced conservative procedures, endodontics, fixed and removable prosthodontics and implants. The use of various types of dental materials for the specific needs of the patient is balanced with the technical skills involved.