Dentist Specialty
Definition and Explainations
Dental
Public Health: Dental
public health is the science and art
of preventing and controlling dental
diseases and promoting dental health
through organized community efforts.
It is that form of dental practice which
serves the community as a patient rather
than the individual. It is concerned
with the dental health education of the
public, with applied dental research,
and with the administration of group
dental care programs as well as the prevention
and control of dental diseases on a community
basis. (Adopted May 1976)
Endodontics: Endodontics
is the branch of dentistry which is concerned
with the morphology, physiology and pathology
of the human dental pulp and periradicular
tissues. Its study and practice encompass
the basic and clinical sciences including
biology of the normal pulp, the etiology,
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of
diseases and injuries of the pulp and
associated periradicular conditions. (Adopted
December 1983)
Oral
and Maxillofacial Pathology: Oral
pathology is the specialty of dentistry
and discipline of pathology that deals
with the nature, identification, and
management of diseases affecting the
oral and maxillofacial regions. It is
a science that investigates the causes,
processes, and effects of these diseases.
The practice of oral pathology includes
research and diagnosis of diseases using
clinical, radiographic, microscopic,
biochemical, or other examinations. (Adopted
May 1991)
Oral
and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral
and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty
of dentistry and discipline of radiology
concerned with the production and interpretation
of images and data produced by all modalities
of radiant energy that are used for the
diagnosis and management of diseases,
disorders and conditions of the oral
and maxillofacial region. (Adopted
April 2001)
Oral
and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral
and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty
of dentistry which includes the diagnosis,
surgical and adjunctive treatment of
diseases, injuries and defects involving
both the functional and esthetic aspects
of the hard and soft tissues of the oral
and maxillofacial region. (Adopted
October 1990)
Orthodontics
and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Orthodontics
and dentofacial orthopedics is the
dental specialty that includes the
diagnosis, prevention, interception,
and correction of malocclusion, as
well as neuromuscular and skeletal
abnormalities of the developing or
mature orofacial structures. (Adopted
April 2003)
Pediatric
Dentistry: Pediatric
Dentistry is an age-defined specialty
that provides both primary and comprehensive
preventive and therapeutic oral health
care for infants and children through
adolescence, including those with special
health care needs. (Adopted 1995)
Periodontics: Periodontics
is that specialty of dentistry which
encompasses the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases of the supporting
and surrounding tissues of the teeth
or their substitutes and the maintenance
of the health, function and esthetics
of these structures and tissues. (Adopted
December 1992)
Prosthodontics:
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty
pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment
planning, rehabilitation and maintenance
of the oral function, comfort, appearance
and health of patients with clinical
conditions associated with missing or
deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial
tissues using biocompatible substitutes. (Adopted
April 2003)
DDS -
Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine
Indicates the degree awarded upon graduation
from dental school to become a general
dentist. There is no difference between
the two degrees; dentists who have a
DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities
have the prerogative to determine what
degree is awarded. Both degrees use the
same curriculum requirements set by the
American Dental Association's Commission
on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three
or more years of undergraduate education
plus four years of dental school is required
to graduate and become a general dentist.
State licensing boards accept either
degree as equivalent, and both degrees
allow licensed individuals to practice
the same scope of general dentistry.
Additional post-graduate training is
required to become a dental specialist,
such as an orthodontist, periodontist
or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Approved by the Council on Dental
Education and Licensure, American
Dental Association |
