Here’s a brief list of what Periodontists do:

• Gum Disease Treatment: Diagnosing and treating gingivitis (early stage gum disease) and periodontitis (advanced gum disease), which involves inflammation and infection of the gums and supporting tissues.

• Scaling and Root Planing: Performing deep cleaning procedures to remove plaque, tartar (calculus), and bacteria from below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces to promote healing.

• Periodontal Surgery: Performing surgical procedures such as gum grafts, pocket reduction (gingivectomy), and regenerative procedures to restore gum tissue and bone structure damaged by periodontal disease.

• Dental Implant Placement: Planning and placing dental implants to replace missing teeth, including the placement of supporting structures like bone grafts when needed.

• Maintenance Therapy: Providing ongoing periodontal maintenance care to manage and prevent the recurrence of gum disease after treatment.

• Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures: Performing procedures to improve the appearance of the gums and enhance the aesthetic outcomes of dental treatments.

• Diagnosis and Management of Oral Inflammation: Evaluating and treating oral conditions that involve inflammation of the gums, such as gingival recession and mucogingival defects.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Complete Undergraduate Education:

• Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While specific majors are not always required, coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is beneficial. Maintain a high GPA to enhance your chances of acceptance into dental school.

2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT):

• The Dental Admission Test (DAT) assesses your academic abilities and scientific knowledge necessary for dental school. Prepare well for this exam during your undergraduate studies.

3. Attend Dental School:

• Earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school. Dental school typically lasts four years and includes coursework in dental anatomy, oral pathology, dental radiology, and clinical training in various dental procedures.

4. Gain Clinical Experience:

• During dental school, gain clinical experience in all aspects of dentistry, including periodontics. This includes learning about the diagnosis and treatment of gum diseases, as well as the fundamentals of periodontal surgery and dental implantology.

5. Complete a Periodontics Residency Program:

• After dental school, pursue specialized training in periodontics by applying to and completing a residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

• Periodontics residency programs typically last three years and focus on advanced training in periodontal diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical treatments, regenerative techniques, and implant dentistry. You’ll gain extensive clinical experience treating patients with gum diseases and placing dental implants under the guidance of experienced periodontists.

6. Obtain Licensure:

• Obtain a license to practice dentistry in your state or country by passing the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and any additional state-specific licensing exams.

• Some states may require additional exams or qualifications specific to periodontics for licensure.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!