Dentists are healthcare professionals qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required. While in most countries, dentists neither earn a Doctorate degree, or medical degree, they are afforded the honorary title "Doctor." Contrary to popular belief, most dentists do not regularly clean teeth, and instead delegate this task to their support staff (e.g. dental hygienists).
General practitioners of dentistry prevent, evaluate, diagnose, and treat diseases of the oral cavity and associated structures, as well as maintain the functionality and esthetics of the teeth and associated tissues and structures. Dentists can further their training in one or more speciality areas - such as surgery, endodontics, and orthodontics. Hence, there can be a great deal of variation between the level of skill in different disciplines from dentist to dentist, however all dentists must achieve a certain degree of skill in various disciplines in order to graduate from dental school and earn licensure. It is important to note that most dentists in general practice perform restorative, prosthetic, routine endodontic therapy, routine periodontal therapy, and simple exodontia, as well as performing dental examinations of a patient's teeth and gums.
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the first dental school in the world, opened in Baltimore, Maryland in 1840, and in 1867 Harvard Dental School became the first dental school affiliated with a university. To become a specialist requires one to train in a residency or advanced graduate training program. Other dental education exists where no post-graduate formal university training is required: cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, temporo-mandibular joint therapy. Specialists in these fields are designated registrable and warrant exclusive titles such as orthodontist, pediatric dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, endodontist, periodontist, and prosthodontist.
Pomona is a city in Los Angeles County, California, at the western edge of the Pomona Valley branch of the Inland Empire region. It may also be considered part of the San Gabriel Valley since it is at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. Pomona is the 4th largest city in Los Angeles County (after Los Angeles, Glendale, and Santa Clarita).
Pomona is well known as the location of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). This university was established on the site of breakfast cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg's massive ranch located on the city's west side. It is also the home of the Los Angeles County fairgrounds. Pomona is not the site of Pomona College. Although this elite liberal arts institution was founded in the city in 1887, its campus has been in neighboring Claremont since 1889.
Pomona is a very diverse city, with pockets of high-end housing near the Fairplex in the Ganesha Park neighborhood, well kept historic homes in the Lincoln Park, Wilton Heights, and Hacienda Park neighborhoods in the center of the city, and master planned development in the Phillips Ranch section. The majority of Pomona's population consist of Latinos, a great number from Mexico and Central America, and the main industry that attracts immigrants is manufacturing and other low-paying service jobs. Top employers include Pomona Unified School District, California State Polytechnic University, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pomona Valley Medical Center, Casa Colina Center for Rehabilitation, and Lanterman Developmental Center.