subject: Various Specialties Of Dentistry Based On The Specific Services Offered [print this page] The practice of dentistry can be classified into two general categories, namely, preventive dental medicine and therapeutic dental medicine. General practitioners of dentistry are usually qualified to do a wide range of dental-related services. From tooth extraction to prosthetic teeth fitting, from cleaning tooth plaques to root canal therapy, dentists are highly trained and licensed to take care of dental health and hygiene.
The global demand for the various dental services is high but the most common types of conditions being treated by dentists are dental carries or tooth decay and periodontal disease. However, the affordability and accessibility of these services vary from one country to another. Developed countries relatively have better dental healthcare compared to the developing countries. The dental services offered in industrialized and highly developed countries are typically high-end preventive and restorative dental services such as crowns and bridges.
In many developed countries such as the United States, dentists earn post-graduate degrees with the title of doctor of dental medicine (DMD) or doctor of dental surgery (DDS). In some countries, however, such as those belonging to the British Commonwealth, dentists only need to earn bachelor's degree equivalents and internships in order to qualify be licensed as dentists. This does not necessarily mean that the quality and standard of service are compromised in the process.
Although the education and licensing standards vary from one country to another, majority of the national, regional and international organizations of dentists recognize several types of dental specializations. For instance, the regulatory bodies and dental organizations in the United States, Canada and Australia recognize at least nine dental specialties.
The nine most recognized dental specialties are dental public health, root canal therapy or endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dentists who specialize in these specific fields have extra trainings and residency or internships. The specializations in these fields may require post-doctoral trainings and additional accreditation from government regulatory bodies to ensure that the dentists have the minimal competency and skills.
In most cases, however, dentists who work as general practitioners can also do some of the dental services that are commonly and regularly done by specialists. Of course, it also depends on what is allowed by law. For instance, most general dental practitioners are also capable of fitting and fabricating prosthetic dentures. In some countries, dentists who might be considered as general practitioners also perform sophisticated dental surgical procedures for corrective, therapeutic and aesthetic purposes.
