Are all dentists the same?

Without insider knowledge, it is easy to think that all dentists are the same. However, this is definitely not that case, especially due to the highly custom and human dependant characteristics of dentistry.

For example, in just doing a filling, dentists need to make a judgement that all the decay has been removed. This in large is from visual and tactile feedback. And the shape of the fillings is carved out like a marble statue. When I see a filling, I can recognise if it is my own work. There is an element of artistry to dentistry.

In addition to the artful side, there is also the technical side. A thorough knowledge of the foundations of biology, chemistry, physics and material science, in addition to a splash of common sense is needed to be a really great dentist. Similar to cooking, a great chef really knows what they are doing and know how to adapt and customise their cooking from the basic recipes and techniques, according to the real life situation.

The most obvious difference to you is the dentist’s interpersonal skills. Only yesterday, a patient told me they had seen an endodontist that has a reputation for high quality work, but never returned to them to complete the root canal due to their poor interpersonal skills. You should feel safe and comfortable with the dentist you see.

Skill level is another difference. There is a very wide range of capabilities between dentists. Some dentists only perform the very basic treatments, while there are others that do practically every kind of dental treatment. Most dentists have an area they particularly enjoy. My personal interest is in endodontics.

So no, not all dentists are the same. Some will have more capabilities than others and each dentist has their individual style that will appeal to their own types of patients.