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Smile, please!
Rajeevan Mahendran, Addison Dental
Practice, United Kingdom
I
feel that I am an important health
professional.
Why you might ask? As a dental surgeon, I promote
oral health and prevention of dental
disease and am privileged to
work closely with patients.
Wide appreciation of general medicine
Although my primary concern is with
oral health, there is a wide appreciation
of general medicine. There is a general application of applied
oral science which involves the investigation of the causes
and prevention of tooth erosion and
wear. The application of molecular oral science
focuses on fundamental issues in cell biology and microbiology
as related to health and disease, integrating basic science
research with clinical priorities and outcomes.
A dental surgeon has
undergone an aggressive course of study
involving anatomy, physiology, pathology and microbiology
of the human body and other sciences such as biochemistry,
pharmacology and oral medicine/oral surgery. These have direct
impact on the way treatment is carried out.
For example, pathology and microbiology involve inflammation,
immunology, control of infectious disease, infectious diseases
of body systems, molecular and cellular basis of cancer. Paediatric
dentistry involve dental care of children, prevention, restoration
and casualty care for healthy children with straight forward
dental needs.
“The treatments for the patients
on this day…”
I work at The Addison Dental Practice, which covers about
20,000 or so patients of all ages for various problems. There
are four dentists in this practice and each have their own
lists. On the 12th April, my list consisted of 18 patients
out of which two were new.
The treatments for the patients listed on this day were categorized
as fillings, extraction, cleaning, root canals, cosmetic dentistry,
orthodontics, treatment of gum disease, and dental implants.
Tooth decay is
a common problem caused by bacteria and
improper dental care which leads to cavities.
In extreme cases teeth are extracted. Investigation is carried
out with the aid of x-rays. Other dental treatments are root
canals (endodontics), treatment of gum disease (periodontics),
crowns and bridges (prosthodontics).
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry concerned with straightening
of the teeth. Its aim is to produce a healthy functional site,
creating greater resistance to disease and improving personal
appearance. Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that
are surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw. A restoration
or denture is then anchored to the implants.
Teeth whitening is part of cosmetic
dentistry. Here, a high concentration whitening
gel is carefully applied and activated with a high density
light. Hydrogen peroxide in the gel penetrates the enamel
and removes underlying stains and discolouration. All the
treatments that were carried out during the day were according
to proven scientific procedures that have been established
in this profession.
Professional responsibility
Like any other health professional, I am ultimately responsible
for leading my own team of staff. I am able
to develop a high standard of professional responsibility
by working closely with my patients. I feel that this is an
intellectually stimulating career,
largely based on scientific principles, but which can encompass
artistic flair. A continuing commitment to
education is needed due to the constant presence of
new challenges with the introduction of new
techniques and use of new materials.
Written by Rajeevan Mahendran – Edited by Kavitha Arunagirinathan
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