In the discourse of dentistry it can be proven that this discourse is classified as a dominant secondary discourse. Gee indicates proves “dominant discourses are secondary Discourses the mastery of which, at a particular place and time, brings with it the (potential acquisition of social “good”, money, prestige, status)”(8). As a dentist in a medical field there is a level of respect that is given from a person from the outside of that discourse, which indicates a status. Which can also be shown in the in the article of “A Day in the life of a dentist” when it explains “you are there to be the doctor who diagnoses, the friend who listens and cares, the psychologist who understands, the mechanic who fixes, the artist who recreates and designs, the manager who leads” (Nguyen, 2). This status of a doctor shows that you have a set of responsibilities that are expected from a patient when they chose to become your patient, which while bring you social goods. Other people will hear about how great you are as a doctor when you display good qualities as a dentist. Also it is known that the more patients you have the more successful you are and can bring prestige.
Gee defines Discourses as “saying (writing)-doing-being-valuing-believing combinations” (6), in my discourse I see all of those combinations being shown. Although I do see the valuing is being shown the most throughout this discourse. The reason I chose this combination is that a dentist has to have value in order to demonstrate the best possible doing and saying tasks of their discourse. The value needs to first come from the dentist finding interest in the knowledge that they are demonstrating in daily procedures. If they don’t understand how valuable every part of their job is can effect a patient emotionally and physically. Although if a dentist is successful at the practice they are demonstrating through language with the knowledge they have can allow a patient to have a god procedure. The result of a good appointment can also bring value to the dentist name, for the reason that other clients will have pride in their dentist to talk highly of them. Also a dentist needs to have value in his and her clients end product, because that is his or her name on the line. Nguyen says it himself “Every job has its stressors, and dealing with people will always be a challenge, but I love the precision of a job well done. Seeing a patient’s new smile warms my heart, and all my worries drift away” (2). That end result of a successful smile is why he struggled through hard class and takes on long days. It because he find his value in the results of his clients.
In this discourse there are many sign systems that are needed to actively participate in this discourse. This sign systems are known as languages that are used throughout the discourse to show that they are fluent. There are many terms that need to be understood in order to understand what others are saying in the specific discourse. If you are not fluent in the way a dentist talks then you will clearly be lost, because the way a dentist talks is very specific. If you are not apart of a dental discourse then you may not understand what the routine is “cleanings, cleanings, fillings, check-up, review and a treatment plan consult” (Nguyen 2). To keep up with the dentist day then being fluent in all of the possible procedure and terms are needed, so that way time isn’t wasted trying to explain thing that should already be known. Not knowing all the terms a dentist use, or the procedure will the show that you are not apart of this dominant discourse. Information once learned properly can be transferred through really any health discourse because the guidelines are pretty similar with terms and procedures. Although not knowing certain things in a particular discourse can hold someone up from understand something. As Meru states “think the most crucial part of orthodontics is a wide knowledge of the literature, as well as mechanics and physics such that I can plan cases and set them up for success from the beginning. Hand skills are also very important in orthodontics” (1). This indicates that you do need a wide range of knowledge in different thing in order to be successful in this discourse. Lacking any information, or engagement can cause there to be roadblocks, because information is always up and coming in the health field. Not knowing new trends can effect a doctor from diagnosing certain case as stated, “orthodontics is advancing all the time, and in most recent years we have seen an increase in the use of skeletal anchorage, also known as mini implants. These have helped to replace the use of hated appliances such as headgear and large bulky appliances” (1). Without staying in touch with new advancement would cause patients to not get the best treatment. Therefor lacking to be fluent in the discourse would not staying engaged, not have proper knowledge, and not knowing a routine of a day in dentistry.
