Trainee Dentists

[shortstop]

What do Trainee dentists practice on. I've been told they practice on Pigs Heads.

[Quizmonster]

I'm not sure about pigs, but they certainly use a device called a 'phantom head'. You can see one by clicking http://www.jmoritaeurope.de/CH99Eng.html The pigs would certainly give them a more realistic 'flesh and blood'/hands-on feel, I'd think!

[shortstop]

Thanks for that....

[Jaybee]

When a friend was training as a dentist, she told me that they had "false mouths" that were fitted with real human teeth that had been extracted from patients around the country and sent to the dental schools for that purpose....

[dave_in_cw]

Don't know for sure but my flatmate had a very complex procedure done by student dentists - had to have all his teeth built up with false teeth as his stomach acid goes back into his mouth when he sleeps. Anyway, he is exceedingly pleased with the job they did - and it cost him nothing.

[robber1]

Recently on TV I saw a prog. about trainee dentists. What has been said is true, but they also practice injecting each other in the gums. No joke, honest.Made my toes curl.

[saffstar]

I have some knowledge of this as I was a dental nurse until recently. They practice on 'phantom heads' at first and the dentists I know (some who qualified very recently) also practised on cadavers - eek! (just like medical students) They then work under very close supervision on real, live people in the dental hospitals they're attached to. They finally have to succesfully complete a year working as a Vocational Trainee in a general dental practice under the mentorship of an experienced dentist. They do practice injections on each other - quite right too, if they can give 'em then they should be able to take 'em! but I've never, ever heard of dental students practising on pigs heads.