What to Need to Know About Doctors and Dentists

There’s a lot of information you need to know about doctors and dentists. For instance, when choosing the right doctor or dentist for your needs, you need to look beyond credentials and consider certain qualities. Good doctors are good communicators, and they make you feel cared for. They also have a strong work ethic and are always advocating for their patients. Another important thing to know about doctors and dentists is they don’t all offer the same services. This explains why you don’t go to the dentist when you have a stomach ache or why you wouldn’t visit the dermatologist if you had a toothache. In this article, we explore the different and common types of doctors and dentists and what you need to know about them.

Family Physician

Family physicians are generalists, meaning they treat people of all ages, and you can visit their office for a wide range of reasons. You can often find a family physician working in their private office or as part of a larger healthcare facility such as a community clinic or hospital. As mentioned, family doctors provide a variety of services. You can visit one with your family for routine checkups and health risk assessments. They will also take care of your child’s vaccinations and immunizations. Family doctors also handle screening tests and provide general advice on how to maintain good health. If you have a chronic condition, a family physician is usually your first stop, and if there’s a need for specialist care, your family doctor will then refer you.

Family doctors can also provide specialized care in areas like urgent care and public health. An important thing to know about doctors is that they receive a high level of education and training to be able to do what they do. In the case of family doctors, an undergraduate degree is a must. From there, family doctors have to continue their studies at an accredited school of medicine. They spend many years in medical school, take board exams, continue their residency, and more before they can become licensed.

Pediatrician

A pediatrician is specially trained to work with young people, including babies, infants, and adolescents. Pediatricians are necessary because as children grow up, their health needs might differ from those of adults. For instance, when children develop into adults, their bodies undergo various changes. A pediatrician has the right expertise and knowledge to address the unique medical needs of children. Hence, you can start off by taking your child to see the family doctor. But if your family doctor feels that the issue that needs to be addressed falls outside their expertise, they’ll refer you to a pediatrician. Keep in mind that not all pediatricians are the same and there’s a wide range of pediatric subspecialties.

It’s possible for pediatricians to specialize in treating patients in a specific age group or with a specific medical condition. Pediatricians that don’t have a specialty often work as primary care physicians, and they provide regular health and wellness checkups which allow them to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. You can also find pediatricians that specialize in treating adolescents, so they’ll typically only see patients between the ages of 11-20. There are also critical care pediatricians, who, as the name suggests, treat children with serious and life-threatening health conditions, often in intensive care settings. Other specialists include developmental-behavioral pediatricians, pediatric oncologists, and pediatric cardiologists.

Oncologists

When learning about doctors and dentists and their areas of specialties, the list is not complete without mentioning oncologists. These are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer. If you need treatment for cancer, your oncologist or cancer specialist will be responsible for coordinating and managing your treatment. Oncologists play a more important role in the medical field than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 1.7 million cancer cases reported in 2019 alone. In fact, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. The good news is that oncologists in the country work very hard to boost survival rates.

Oncologists have three main areas of specialty, including medical, surgical, or radiation. Medical oncologists help to treat cancer via non-surgical methods, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. On the other hand, surgical oncologists perform biopsies to diagnose cancer, and they remove tumors and any affected tissue. Radiation oncologists provide internal and external radiation therapy to cancer patients as part of their treatment. Also, keep in mind that there’s a wide range of cancer specialists, including pediatric oncologists, geriatric oncologists, and musculoskeletal oncologists.

Nutritionists

As the name suggests, nutritionists are responsible for providing nutritional care. If you’re interested in executive wellness that can be achieved through proper diet and nutrition, then this is the right type of doctor to see. These specialists are experts when it comes to the correct foods to eat to boost your health and enhance your lifestyle. It’s no secret that the food you put into your body can help you manage the risk of developing certain illnesses. The right diet can also help you achieve specific health-related goals, such as a clear complexion and healthy hair. You can often find nutritionists working in hospitals, medical offices, and long-term facilities.

It’s important to note that a nutritionist isn’t the same as a dietician. The easiest thing to remember is that every dietician you come across is a nutritionist, but not every nutritionist is a dietician. You should also realize that the world of nutritionists is not strictly regulated. Therefore, you need to carefully evaluate your nutritionist to ensure they have received formal training and are licensed and certified before working with them. There are different types of nutritionists that you can work with. Clinical nutritionists are found in clinical settings, while community nutritionists work in community healthcare facilities, such as recreational centers.

Dentists

There’s surprisingly a lot of information to learn about doctors and dentists. For instance, it’s necessary to differentiate between dentists and doctors because dentists aren’t actually doctors in the traditional sense of the word. That is, they are not medical doctors because they haven’t undergone the extensive training needed to become doctors of medicine or M.D.s. Instead, they are capable of treating medical issues that have to do with the teeth and the gums. These trained professionals help to maintain your oral health, which is crucial for your overall health. Besides promoting good dental hygiene, dentists also diagnose and treat a wide range of problems of the gums, teeth, and mouth.

When you visit a dental clinic, you can find all sorts of modern technology and equipment that assist dentists in doing their job. For instance, dentists use lasers, X-ray machines, and other medical equipment to perform various dental procedures. The most common reasons for visiting a dental clinic include getting advice on dental hygiene, filling cavities, removing decay from teeth, repairing or extracting damaged teeth, putting in fillings, and giving dental cleanings. Dentists often operate solo practices with a small staff that includes dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians. They can also have partners.

Becoming a dentist takes the same path as that required of medical doctors. That is, one must first complete an undergraduate program. This is usually a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. The dentist now has to apply to an accredited dental school and pass a dental admission test. At the dental school, the dentist will undergo training which includes clinical practice. The dentist also has to get licensed and certified. After qualifying as a dentist, there are various specialties available for those who want to continue their education. For instance, dentists can choose to specialize in orthodontics by completing a postgraduate residency. Orthodontists are trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat teeth and jaw irregularities, and this is the type of dentist you visit if you want to get your braces fitted. Other types of dentists include pediatric dentists, periodontists, and endodontists.

Chiropractors

If you’re interested in knowing all about doctors, you might also be interested in discovering what a chiropractor can do for you. To begin with, you can go see a chiropractor for any medical issue related to your bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Most people that go see a chiropractor often do see for pain management when they’re dealing with back pain or neck pain. Let’s say you’re suffering from back pain after a car crash. Personal injury law requirements might include seeing a chiropractor to obtain an official diagnosis of your injury. Chiropractic care typically involves making spinal adjustments to ensure proper alignment, which helps with pain management. Chiropractors also perform tests, but they mainly rely on spinal manipulation while offering other treatments like stimulation and massage therapy.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

O.B./GYNs are often lumped together because of their close association. You can think of obstetricians as pregnancy care providers, while the primary focus for most gynecologists is reproductive health. It’s not uncommon to see doctors who are referred to as OB/GYN because they have certifications in both fields. Such a professional is qualified to provide a wide range of services, such as pregnancy healthcare, general post-natal care, reproductive wellness checks, STI treatment, and more. To become a medical doctor that operates as a gynecologist or obstetrician, one must graduate from medical school, complete exams, and have a residency, among other things.

Cardiologist

Another interesting thing to discover about doctors is that there are doctors who specialize in matters of the heart in the literal sense. They are experts at treating and preventing cardiovascular illnesses. They also treat any health conditions associated with the blood vessels. Like other medical doctors, a cardiologist has to complete four years of medical school. They also have to complete a residency program and receive specialized training beyond that. Once they’re practicing, cardiologists are well-equipped to treat a wide range of heart and vascular problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart valve problems, heart abnormalities, congenital heart conditions, stroke, heart attacks, and heart failure. Usually, your primary care provider will refer you to a cardiologist if they suspect that your heart and blood vessels require specialized care.

Dermatologists

There are some fascinating things to learn about doctors of the skin. For starters, dermatologists not only treat your skin, but they are also experts when it comes to treating your hair and nails. Dermatologists play an important role because your skin is one of the most important organs that carry out various essential functions. Your skin helps to regulate body temperature, and it’s the first line of defense against germs and other dangerous substances. Having healthy skin is important to your overall health. Dermatologists are trained to offer a wide range of treatments, such as U.V. therapy, micro needling, laser treatments, chemical peels, and other cosmetic procedures. They also treat a wide range of common conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, and nail fungus. Before a dermatologist can become fully qualified, they have to obtain an undergraduate degree before completing medical school, an internship, a residency, and a fellowship. Only then can they get licensing and certification.

The human body is made up of a vast range of complex systems and processes, all working to keep you alive and healthy. Given how complex the human body is, it’s not surprising there are numerous types of medical professionals that specialize in different areas of human health. If there’s one thing to know about doctors and dentists, it is that they do an amazing job. They help keep your health in check, treat ailments, provide preventive care, and manage risk, all thanks to their specialized training and knowledge. Knowing about doctors and dentists and their specialty is critical because it helps you determine the best type of doctor you need to see. Most people don’t prioritize their doctor’s appointments. Knowing the right types of doctors and dentists to see can encourage you to seek the medical help and attention you need in a timely manner.