Dentists, or dental surgeons, specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral disease and conditions affecting the teeth, gums, mouth, and surrounding structures.

Dental practitioners can refer patients to other medical specialists and experts in the field of oral health care, such as oral surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontic specialists, and periodontists for further specialized treatment. Dentists perform dental care with the assistance of oral health professionals, including dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental technicians. They offer a comprehensive range of dental health care services, from dental cleanings and exams to X-rays.

In a routine dental hygiene appointment, the teeth are cleaned by removing plaque accumulation, scaling and polishing the teeth. In addition to checking for sore and bleeding gums, dental hygienists and dentists will reference yearly X-rays to look for any changes or abnormalities in tooth and jaw development.

Dental dentists are highly trained professionals who are capable of providing many different types of dental services, including crowns, bridges, orthodontics, dentures, root canals, tooth extractions, antibiotics, fluoride, and pain relievers. Furthermore, dentists may also acquire expertise and training in the administration of anesthetics, oral surgery, and dental implants.

It should be noted that oral health and diseases affecting the oral cavity can be related to the health of the entire body, as well as symptomatic of underlying illnesses such as osteoporosis and diabetes. The causes of dental diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis, and dental abscesses are caused by infections in the mouth.

Associated dental procedures include apicoectomies, debridements, dental extractions, dental restorations, dental surgery, fluoride therapy, gingivectomy, gum lift, orthoodontics, odontokersatomy, and pulpotomy.