The dentist is a licensed health professional with the knowledge and diagnostic training and skill to examine your mouth and to recommend and carry out treatment, including prescribing medications, and to advising you on all aspects of oral health.

The dental hygienist is a licensed professional who cleans your teeth and instructs you in home care and oral hygiene. Hygienists are qualified to do preliminary assessments of your dental health.

The dental assistant is trained to help the dentist in examinations and treatment. Assistants may take radiographs (X-rays) as well, although the dentist must interpret them.

The dental receptionist usually schedules appointments, takes care of billings and payments and generally manages the flow of patients through the office.

Wisdom teeth are the third molar teeth in the jaws. They develop inside the bone, with the crowns forming first, then the roots. If there is not enough room in the jaw for the wisdom tooth to erupt into the mouth, it can become trapped (impacted). Impacted wisdom teeth can be prone to developing infections in the gums or the bone, or can have a negative effect on the teeth beside them. Early removal of wisdom teeth can prevent these problems from occurring. Waiting until there is a problem with the wisdom teeth can result in a more complicated procedure to remove them later on.