March 6 marks National Dentist’s Day—the perfect time to show your appreciation to a dental care professional. These experts make your oral health a priority 365 days of the year. So why not show them some love for just one day this March? Read on to learn more about this profession and what you can do to celebrate.  

An Intro to the Dental Care Profession

Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions in the world, with evidence of its being practiced dating as far back as 7000 B.C. Ancient Sumerian texts described tooth worms, while famed scholars from Hippocrates to Aristotle also wrote about dental care practices. In 1546, a book devoted entirely to oral health care was published: “The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth.”

Of course, dentists aren’t referring to that book today! Modern dentists have to undergo intense training to practice their craft. After completing a bachelor’s degree, they must take the DAT, or Dental Admission Test, to qualify for admission to a dentistry program. Dental school itself typically lasts four years. Once this is done, new graduates must pass state and national licensing exams.

How You Can Celebrate Your Dentist

Once you realize just how hard dentists work to break into their field—which is highly competitive—it becomes clear that they really care about what they do. If you want to put a smile on your dental care hero’s face this National Dentist’s Day, you only have to do one thing: Commit to better oral hygiene habits.

This means brushing twice a day and flossing every evening. Also, make sure that the next professional teeth cleaning is already on your calendar. When you go, don’t forget to tell your dentist “thank you” for all they do.

For gentle and compassionate pediatric dentistry in Hawaii, look to Kapolei Keiki Dental. This practice provides a comprehensive range of services for toddlers up to teens. From teeth cleanings to orthodontics, they have everything your little one needs to lay the foundation for a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Find out more about their dental care treatments online. For an appointment, call (808) 944-1020.