general qs

Question 1

what is dent

Answer 1

involves the diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of injuries and diseases of the teeth and the oral cavity in general
can do this in many ways such as teaching how to brush teeth/ floss properly, root canals, extractions, crowns, fillings, scaling

Question 2

future for dent

Answer 2

will need to provide more holistic care as increasing elderly population with chronic diseases on medication
e.g. blood pressure monitored if patient takes steroids (has myasthenia gravis- weakness in muscles)
more cosmetic e.g. whitening braces

Question 3

how has the dental profession changed over the past 30 years

Answer 3

patients are more informed about what is good for their oral health, brushing teeth well, less sweets
composite filling are more used as amalgam contains toxic mercury

Question 4

composite filling (3+, 3-)

Answer 4

\+ polymer resin material
\+ more aesthetic as it is white 
\+ does not require as much tooth to be removed as they form stronger chemical bonds with teeth
- less durable with pressure
- can stain
- more expensive

Question 5

amalgam (3+, 3-)

Answer 5

+ much faster to place so benefits NHS dentists
+ can withstand occlusal forces during eating and for bruxists
+ cheaper
- contains 50% mercury which causes environmental pollution
- not natural tooth colour
- more tooth needs to be removed

Question 6

how does smoking affect dental health

Answer 6

increases risk of periodontal diseases as it creates a better habitat for periodontal pathogens
respond less well to periodontal therapy

Question 7

how does diabetes affect the mouth

Answer 7

decreases ability to heal from oral surgery or dental treatment