They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care. M.D.s are also known as allopathic physicians. While both M.D.s and D.O.s may use all accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, D.O.s place special emphasis on the body s musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases.
Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth.
They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care, as well. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications. They use instruments and observation to examine eye health and to test patients visual acuity, depth and color perception, and their ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. They analyze test results and develop a treatment plan. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation.