Stating that the demand for dental aesthetics has increased and dentist employment has come to the forefront due to the influence of social media posts, Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, said that career opportunities for dentists have diversified. Günay, describing the roadmap young people should follow to become a dentist, stated, “Dental health is gaining importance day by day. Dentists who wish to pursue specialty training participate in a 3-5 year education program. After completing this program, dentists can open a practice related to their area of specialization.”
Dental health is an area closely related to overall health. Poor oral and dental health can increase the risk of various systemic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Untreated dental problems negatively affect the course of these diseases. Behind the increasing importance of dental health day by day are significant reasons such as its connection to general health, the prevention of dental caries and gum diseases, aesthetic and psychological effects, advancements in technology, and increased awareness. Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, provided important information about the dentistry profession during the university preference period. Günay, explaining the roadmap that must be followed to become a dentist, said, “A person who graduates from the Faculty of Dentistry needs to gain 2-3 years of experience to open their own practice. This period may vary depending on whether the dentist wishes to pursue specialty training. Dentists who want to pursue specialty training participate in a 3-5 year education program. After completing this education program, dentists can open a practice related to their area of specialization.”
Roadmap to becoming a dentist…
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, noting that a person graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry needs to develop their practice to open their own clinic, listed the steps to be followed:
• While at the Faculty of Dentistry, participate in clinical internship programs. These programs give dentists the opportunity to treat real patients.
• After graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry, work as an assistant alongside a dentist. This experience teaches dentists to work in a clinical environment and communicate with patients.
• Follow current developments in the field of dentistry. This gives dentists the opportunity to learn new treatment methods and provide better service to their patients.
• Become a member of professional organizations in the field of dentistry. These organizations give dentists the opportunity to share their professional knowledge and experience.
By following these steps, a person graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry can acquire the necessary experience and skills to open their own practice.
Career opportunities diversified for dentists
Günay pointed out that work efficiency in dentistry has increased thanks to the introduction of new technologies into our lives, saying, “Thanks to technologies such as digital radiography, intraoral scanners, and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, dentists can make faster and more precise diagnoses, create treatment plans, and produce dental prostheses. This situation accelerates treatment processes, increases treatment success rates, and enhances patient satisfaction.”
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay stated that new technologies have increased the number of specialization areas in dentistry, with different fields such as digital dentistry, dental implants, dental aesthetics, and sleep apnea treatment emerging, thereby diversifying career opportunities for dentists.
Günay stated that graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry have the opportunity to work in different departments, listing these areas as Private Dental Clinics and Practices, Public Health Institutions, Universities and Educational Institutions, Dental Hospitals, Endodontics Specialty which performs complex treatments related to root canals and dental nerves, Pedodontics Specialty which offers dental treatment for children and pediatric dentistry, Orthodontics Specialty which works on correcting and aligning teeth and jaws, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery which performs surgical procedures such as tooth extraction, implant surgery, jaw correction, sales and marketing of materials or medicines used for dental health, and pharmaceutical companies.
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay emphasized that graduates can gain in-depth knowledge and experience in a specific field by participating in specialization programs.
Social media creates demand for dental aesthetics
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay stated that on social media, where beauty and aesthetics-related content is widely shared, the sharing of visuals and videos on topics such as aesthetic dental procedures, teeth whitening, and teeth straightening has increased users' aesthetic awareness and amplified the demand for dental aesthetics. He said, “Social media is creating a huge demand for dental aesthetics, thereby making significant contributions to the field of dental aesthetics and employment.”
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, providing information about Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry's education program, said, “The program lasts 5 years. It consists of three main sections: basic sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical applications. In the first year, basic art education is provided to develop visual training and manipulation, and to train aesthetic and form perception. In the basic sciences section, courses such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, endocrinology, immunology, and genetics are given together with medical faculty students. In the clinical sciences section, courses such as dental diseases, gum diseases, endodontics, prosthetic dental treatment, periodontology, pedodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, oral, dental, and maxillofacial radiology are provided. In the clinical applications section, students treat patients in a clinical setting. In the fourth year, there is a robotic and digital dentistry course, and in the fifth year, there is a total of 60 hours of philosophy of thinking and ethics course.”
“We aim for them to grow into ethical dentists”
Günay stated that Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry's education program is designed in accordance with the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TYYÇ), saying, “Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry is one of the best dentistry faculties in Turkey. Our faculty stands out with its modern infrastructure, experienced teaching staff, and student-oriented education approach. We aim for our students to develop into knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical dentists in the field of oral and dental health.”
Günay stated that the faculty has 8 clinics in a building with a 14,000 m2 indoor area, adding, “The clinics are equipped with all necessary equipment and devices for all kinds of dental treatments. Students apply treatments to patients in the clinics, accompanied by experienced faculty members and assistants. To provide students with practical opportunities, we also have 1 dental treatment simulation laboratory, 1 preclinical laboratory, and 1 aesthetics and form laboratory. At Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, we also organize clinical internship programs to offer students practical opportunities. Internship programs provide students with professional experience by allowing them to practice in different clinics across various specialization areas, increasing their chances of finding employment after graduation.”
Practical experience at a dental hospital enables students to be more competent
Günay stated that in addition to the facilities of the Faculty of Dentistry, Üsküdar University Dental Hospital has also been opened to serve both students and the public, to better prepare future dentists. He explained, “One of the most significant advantages for our students' success and future professional lives is our dental hospital facilities and the practical opportunities we provide there. Coordinated education with the dental hospital offers our students the chance to combine their theoretical knowledge with practical applications. This not only enhances our students' professional skills and confidence but also allows them to gain experience with real patients. The opportunity for practical experience provides a chance to learn the fundamental skills of the profession through real-world experience and contributes to them becoming more prepared and competent dentists after graduation.”
“Digitalization and artificial intelligence offer a more realistic and interactive learning experience”
Günay stated that digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies offer students a more realistic and interactive learning experience, allowing them to access a database consisting of various clinical situations. He added, “Thanks to these technologies, dentists can diagnose their patients' oral and dental health more quickly and easily, offer more accurate and effective treatments, make their patients' treatment process more comfortable and convenient, and reduce treatment costs.”