Dentists Around the World

Have you ever wondered what dental care was like in other countries? In the United States, it appears the options are endless with specialists of all kinds to take care of our every need. For this we are lucky as some nations do not have the same freedoms and allowance. With that in mind, we would like to share with you how dentistry is managed in other countries around the world.

Australia: In order to practice dentistry in Australia, a person must first obtain registration and licensing from the nationalized Dental Board of Australia. Only 1% of all yearly applicants pass the dental school admissions into Australia’s undergraduate dental programs.

Canada: In early colonial history, dentistry was rare. In major situations, a barber or blacksmith would pull a tooth. The first recorded dentist wasn’t until 1814. And, dental care is not covered by the Canadian health care system.

Europe: Dentistry is a public service/subsidy provided to most (if not all) citizens to ensure that have access to the dental service they require, regardless of their ability to pay.

Hong Kong: Before the dental school was established locally, most of the practicing dentist received their degree from the Philippines.

Iran: Many dentists are required to either complete two years of military service or governmental service in order to collect enough scores to begin a private practice after graduation.

Sweden: Dental care if provided for free to everyone up to 20 years of age.

Taiwan: Dental school admissions are extremely competitive with only those students who are in the top 3% of their academics are admitted.

At Affleck Dental, we can assure you that only the top trained technicians and dentists are at your service. The history of the world continues to evolve and we are the clinic that will provide you the best smile possible with the best service.

You have options with Affleck Dental!!

Tooth replacement options are comparable to the growth of computers. What may seem ages ago, computers filled an entire room. Thankful for us, tooth replacement options back then didn’t take up your entire mouth. However, they weren’t as seamless, comfortable and flexible in choices as they are now. Some of these choices include dental implants, permanent fixed bridges and bonded bridges. Each option is specifically designed for the individual needs of the person and to increase overall health.

Dental implants tend to be the primary choice for replacing a missing tooth. The implants are made of pure titanium that is completely safe. A screw is first implanted into the jaw bone where the missing tooth is. This screw is specially designed to promote bone adherence. Once it has healed, a cap or crown is attached that has the appearance of a real tooth. This option has a 95% success rate and will last a long time.

Fixed bridges have been around for over 50 years. Even though it may seem like an archaic option with how far medical treatments have come, it remains to be a predictable procedure for patients who have little bone or have loose adjacent teeth. This procedure involves the drilling of the enamel of adjacent teeth, taking an impression and making a permanent bridge across the area where the tooth is missing. Treatment is completed quicker and there are no surgical procedures involved.

There are a few choices for temporary restorations that may also cost less. Affleck Dental recommends visiting a specialist in tooth replacement to determine your options and what will best meet your needs, lifestyle and your budget. Affleck Dental understands the importance of feeling good about yourself and one place to begin is your beautiful smile. 

What to do in case of a tooth emergency?

Dental care often seems to wait till the last minute – yet if not taken care of immediately, may result in a health risk or even permanent damage. With that in mind, Affleck Dental would like to offer you some tips on how to treat common dental problems and what you can do while waiting to get dental help.

1)      Toothaches – Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Use dental floss to remove lodged food stuck between teeth. If you mouth is swollen – apply a cold compress to help relieve the swelling.

2)      Chipped or Broken Teeth – Save the pieces, if possible. Rinse your mouth out with warm water and if bleeding, press a piece of gauze against the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress for any swelling and see your dentist as soon as possible.

3)      Knocked out tooth – Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse the tooth with warm water if it dirty. Do not scrub or remove any tissue fragments. If possible, place the tooth back in place. If that is not possible, store the tooth in a small contain or milk or water with a pinch of salt and see you dentist within in hour of the mishap.

4)      Lost filling – Stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity as a temporary measure and see your dentist as soon as possible.

5)      Lost crown – This can be tricky… there are several temporary measurements you can take until you are able to get into the dentist. But, the first step should be to make an appointment as soon as possible and don’t forget to bring the crown with you. If you are feeling comfortable and it may be a while before seeing the dentist, you can try to slip the crown back over the tooth. Use over the counter dental cement or denture adhesive to help hold the crown down. Even toothpaste will work. Do not use super glue though!!!

Naturally, these are just the more common problems that happen in dental emergencies. Regardless the problem, be sure to contact your dentist or a specialist as soon as possible to resolve the issue and keep you from being in permanent pain or danger.