Dental vs. Dentist

Dental vs. Dentist

Both words, "dental" and "dentist" are related to teeth. They both refer to concepts related to the word teeth, therefore they are part of the same word family and it's understandable why they would have similar spellings.

Even so, they are not one and the same thing, each carrying a different significance. The first difference between them is that "dental" is always an adjective, whereas "dentist" is always a noun. Check out their definitions and some examples of how to use "dental vs. dentist' correctly in your speech and writing below!

When do we use "dental"?

"Dental" is an adjective, describing something related to teeth. If something is "dental", it refers or is somehow connected to teeth. Dental is the umbrella term for anything teeth treatment related.

Example: I need a dental treatment as soon as possible, otherwise the pain will become unbearable. - "dental" describes something related to teeth.

When do we use "dentist"?

"Dentist" functions as a noun within a sentence, and it defines the person whose job it is to examine and repair teeth. Attention here, "dentist" is not the job itself, but the person whose job it is to perform dental treatment.

The job itself, of examining and repairing teeth, is called "dentistry". But the doctor who treats teeth is called a "dentist".

Example: I will see the dentist tomorrow for a wisdom tooth extraction. - "dentist" is the doctor whose job is to examine and repair teeth.

Conclusion

After reading all the explanations and examples above, we hope we answered all your questions about "dental vs. dentist", and that we also  dispelled any confusion that might appear between the meanings of "dentist", "dental" and "dentistry".