dentistry

Profession of Dentistry:

• David F. Murchison, DDS, MMS:

  • Clinical Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

  • Clinical Professor at Texas A&M

  • 9th semester student, 30 years of active-duty practice in dentistry

  • Faculty at Texas A&M, with many students attending TAMU for dentistry

  • Specializes in Prosthodontics

Current Demand for Dentists:

• There is a high demand for dentists. Currently, there are 160,000-170,000 active dentists in the U.S.

• There was a significant decline in dental demographics in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to the opening of many new dental schools—both private and public.

• Texas currently has 7,500-8,000 dentists.

• About 60% of dentists are general dentists working in private practice, with the majority located in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. However, there is a low number of dentists in West Texas.

• Approximately 80% of dentists are male, but the 2023 entering class at Texas dental schools was 53% female.

• Dental school involves 4 years of intensive clinical and didactic training.

• The need for young dentists is rising.

Types of Dental Programs and Requirements:

• Previously, some programs like University of Tennessee and University of Mississippi offered 3-year dental programs, but these have been phased out.

• Licensing requires completing either an internship or a postgraduate residency, followed by board examinations.

  • Some states, like Delaware and Hawaii, still have state boards.

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons now complete 6-year programs, with the first two years spent in medical school. These professionals can practice both as DDS and MD.

  • Oral surgeons can treat more complex issues like fractured jaws (e.g., using titanium plates and screws) and handle other major surgeries.

Role of Dentists:

• Dentists focus on the oral cavity and its connection to overall health, as it affects chewing, breathing, speaking, and facial expressions.

• Dentists inspect gums, gingiva, and mucosa inside the mouth, as well as identifying issues like abscesses.

• Quality of life is often measured by the condition of one's teeth, with aesthetic dentistry becoming increasingly important.

  • Cosmetic procedures include bleaching, veneers, crowns, and implants.

  • Dentists are also involved in Botox and collagen filler treatments (for which continuing education is required).

• Aesthetic dentistry is being pushed in today's culture:

  • Cultural factors (e.g., coffee, tea, tobacco) can stain teeth.

  • Despite treatments, natural teeth remain the most preferred option.

Role in Functional Health:

• Dentists play a significant role in addressing issues with the range of motion related to chewing or speaking. For example:

  • Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can correct severe jaw misalignments like retronavia or prognathia through surgery.

  • Orthodontists use tools like Invisalign or braces to move teeth, while oral surgeons perform surgical corrections.

• Oral surgeons also treat fractured jaws, often in emergency situations (e.g., at 3 AM).

  • Surgeons use titanium plates to reassemble the jaw.

Dentistry's Role in Other Medical Fields:

• The increasing population means a growing need for dentists, as many dental procedures are elective.

• Sports injuries: A mouthguard can prevent dental injuries, with over 200,000 injuries occurring in high school and college sports.

• Cleft lip/palate patients require extensive care:

  • Involves collaboration between pediatricians, speech therapists, psychologists, orthodontists, surgeons, and plastic surgeons.

  • Dental professionals often contribute to treatments like implants, bone grafts, and reconstructive surgeries.

• Cancer patients may lose body parts, and dentists are involved in creating prosthetic ears, noses, and other facial prostheses. These prosthetics are designed to match the shading of natural features, making them hard to distinguish from real parts.

Popularity of Dentistry:

• Dentistry is one of the most trusted professions and ranks as the 2nd most sought-after career in the U.S.

• In Texas, there are more medical schools than dental schools, leading to higher competition for dental school admissions.

• Texas dental schools are considered more economical for Texas residents. 90% of spots in Texas dental schools are filled by Texas residents.

Salaries and Career Outlook:

• Dentistry is among the best healthcare jobs, with salaries ranging from $105,000 to $146,000.

Advancements in Technology:

• Root canals or fractures can be treated using advanced technologies:

  • Dentists can digitize impressions and send them to a lab for a perfect match.

  • It typically takes 3 days to receive a custom-made match, using red, yellow, and brown colors to match the shade of the natural teeth.

Dental School Enrollment and Trends:

• Dental schools are increasingly popular, with new schools opening:

  • 2026-2027 will see the opening of new dental schools in Little Rock and Kentucky.

  • Utah, which previously had no dental schools, now has 2, and Arizona has also expanded.

• Current Dental Schools in Texas:

  • Texas has three main dental schools, with the University of Texas at El Paso offering the DMD program (similar to MD vs. DO distinction).

How to Get into Dental School:

1. Get Involved Early:

   • Volunteer, shadow dentists, and gain experience as a dental assistant.

   • Engage with science professors and consider becoming a certified dental assistant.

2. Dental School Is Open to All Ages:

   • Non-traditional students (those who pursued other careers before dentistry) are also welcome.

3. Prepare Academically:

   • Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which is a quantitative measure used in admissions.

   • UTD has a high acceptance rate, and Rice is ranked 1st for admissions.

4. Dental Schools Are Rigorous:

   • Admission to dental school is highly competitive, with a focus on both volunteering and research experience.

Branches of Dentistry:

• Orthodontics: Focuses on correcting teeth and jaw alignment, sometimes involving work with bones.

• Oral Surgery: Involves complex surgeries related to the mouth, jaw, and facial structures.

• Pediatric Dentistry: Specializes in dental care for children.

Military Dentistry:

• There are three branches of military dentistry: Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Battlefield acupuncture is used in military dentistry as a form of pain management.