Ever considered going into a specialty in the dentistry field? After a student completes dental school, they have the option of going into a specialty.
That’s what James A. Penny, of James A. Penney, III, DDS, PA Endodontics, did. After earning his DDS and finishing his 2-year residency, Dr. Penny returned to Little Rock to open a practice. He didn’t stop there; Dr. Penny has been teaching Continuing Education on the advancements in Endodontics since 1995.
Here are a few things you should know about being an Endodontist.
1. Endodontics is focused on problem-solving.
Endodontists are specialists in saving teeth. Patients go to an endodontist when they are experiencing major dental pain without explanation or have other complicated dental problems. The job of an endodontist is to get to the root of the problem and find the best solution to return the tooth to a healthy, natural state.
Getting to the “root” of the problem isn’t just a really clever pun we use as often as we can. It’s very descriptive of what endodontists do. Their advanced technology and continued learning is all in the pursuit of saving teeth.
Even teeth that are severely decayed and otherwise diseased can be saved. With a little luck and a lot of advanced inspection, technology and knowledge, an endodontist can determine the best chance at saving the tooth.
2. You need to enjoy the science and the technology.
As a specialist in their field, endodontists do a great deal of teaching, continued education and lecturing. Endodontists need to know about the latest technological advancements in dentistry and learn how to use them.
A curious mind is essential to become an endodontist. Consider endodontistry if you love working with
specialized technology and being on the cutting edge of even small technology advancements.
To get to the bottom of the patient’s dental issue, endodontists need to know everything from the basics of dentistry to the latest discoveries in the field. A love for learning and a genuine interest in science are great characteristics for starting endodontists.
3. You need the right personality.
Endodontist rely heavily on a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination. Being precise in procedure and comfortable under the stress of dental emergencies isn’t the only thing that endodontists need to be.
Aside from endodontic therapy, a large part of an endodontist job is to ease patient concerns. Root Canals have a bad rep. New patients coming through the door usually expect the worse. Chairside manner is essential. Your patient is having to deal with a new dentist, new dental environment and what they consider major surgery.
