GAMSAT & Dentistry: Cavities and plaque, et al?

Each of us has a dentist story to tell. All of us have had to deal with a dentist in some point of our life or the other. Some may remember the frightening childhood encounters that involved pestering cavity treatments. The more elderly can tell you equally horrifying tales of root canal treatments. It is truly sad that dentistry has generally been regarded as the black sheep of the medical canon. If you have decided on sitting for the GAMSAT to make dentistry your profession, you have made a wise choice. Dentistry is a most satisfying career option that pays well too.

In this series on dentistry, we will deal with various aspects of the dental profession. What are its various branches? What are the different degree programs available to students? How is life as a dentist? We shall discuss each of these in detail in the subsequent articles. As a student preparing for GAMSAT you must be aware that only those with a bachelor’s degree are eligible to sit for the GAMSAT. This means you have completed a considerable level of education before embarking on becoming a dentist. This may actually work as an advantage. As most doctors will tell you, being a dental surgeon requires patience and perseverance. Having dentistry related work experience is an added bonus during the GAMSAT interview.

Dentistry is about people skills from the word ‘go’. Section II of the GAMSAT test paper that deals with Written Communication tests if you have the elementary interpersonal skills required to be a dentist. It is a hands-on job as dentists deal with teeth, gums and oral care. A Dentist’s regular duties may include filling cavities, cleaning tooth decay, smile correction, straightening teeth and examining dental x-rays. Dentists also give their patients advice and instruction on oral care. This may include more general instructions on the correct way to brush and floss or deal with more advanced treatments like root canal and gum reconstruction.

You may get surprised by the role that dentistry plays in cosmetic surgeries. Some of the most famous Hollywood smiles owe their twinkle to a dentist. Many people visit dentists for physical enhancement alone. Cosmetic dentistry is a branch in itself that is growing popular by the day. It includes smile-enhancing treatments, dental implants, teeth whitening, veneers, and dental bridges. So if you thought being a dentist was only about drilling plaque and filling cavities, THINK AGAIN. If people have always been asking you: why dentistry? You might as well learn to reply: why not?

Sitting for the GAMSAT is the first step towards becoming a dentist. If you have always dreamed of entering med school but not been sure of a career choice, opt for dentistry. It definitely has more sides to it than most of us have drilled into!