Specialized dentistry - Free Course

Dental Assistant, The, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Esther K. Andrews

INTRODUCTION

This three-part continuing education course will provide information on general dentistry, dental specialties and dental disciplines. The requirements for dental practice in each subject area may be determined by general and specialty dental political entities or by groups, associations, academies or societies that ultimately must conform to the law of the land. Because many dental procedures are complicated or unique, advanced learning in the subject area better qualifies the practitioner to treat the patient. A general practitioner increases his or her legal liability by practicing beyond the normal realm of general practice, unless additional coursework is completed or educational requirements are met.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

* Recognize terminology used in dentistry.

* Determine when general dentistry and specialty dentistry are performed.

* Access dental organization web sites.

* Differentiate between dental disciplines and dental specialties.

* Recognize selected procedures, techniques and practice settings found in dentistry.

OUTLINE

I. Introduction

II. Course Objectives

III. Outline

IV. General Dentistry

V. Dental Specialties

VI. Dental Disciplines

VII. Summary

VIII. References

IX. Test Questions

GENERAL DENTISTRY

General dentists practice dentistry by using skills in oral diagnosis, disease prevention and rehabilitation. They diagnose and treat disorders of the mouth through patient assessment, treatment planning, patient education, disease prevention, operative dentistry and/or surgery. The general dentist renders complete dental service and refers complicated and unusual cases to dental specialists. About 80% of all dentists practice general dentistry while an estimated 20% practice a particular dental specialty. (1)

Educational Requirements

Most general practitioners earn the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), with the degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) earned by the rest. The type of degree earned depends on the school attended. There is no difference in the educational background they receive. In order to practice dentistry in a state, the dentist must become licensed within that state. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and in the U.S. territories. Those practitioners enlisted in military service must have a valid dental license from any state in the U.S. After becoming licensed to practice, dentists must complete continuing dental education credits or units (CDE or CEU) according to the requirements of the individual state licensing board. Beyond continuing education, additional advanced study can be pursued in a dental specialty or discipline.

Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a nonprofit organization that provides CDE to the dental profession and resource information to the consumer public. Members of the AGD must complete 75 hours of continuing education in a continuous three-year period. AGD requirements are for personal advancement and achievement.

The AGD bestows two awards, the Fellowship award and the Mastership award. A general dentist earns the Fellowship award by maintaining membership for five continuous years, completing 500 hours of CDE, and passing a comprehensive exam. The Mastership award is presented after completion of the Fellowship award criteria and 1,100 hours of CDE that includes 400 hours of hands-on course work.

The AGD recognizes 16 disciplines of dentistry in which a Fellow must study. They are: Aesthetics, Basic Sciences, Endodontics, Electives, Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, Implants, Occlusion, Operative Dentistry, Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Practice Management, Self-Improvement, and Special Patient Care. (2) The completion of these Academy requirements earns the individual the right to be called a Fellow or Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD or MAGD).

The American Board of General Dentistry

A dental specialty must establish a national board for certifying Diplomats. Diplomats of the Board are individuals who have progressed to the highest educational reaches in a particular area of dentistry. The national board for certifying general dentistry Diplomats is the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD). After a general dentist has completed the Fellowship and Mastership programs of the AGD, he or she then becomes eligible to join the ABGD and to complete the additional requirements to become a Diplomat. (3)

DENTAL SPECIALTIES

When general dentists encounter a complicated or an unusual patient case beyond their ability to manage, state laws require them to refer the patient to an individual better qualified to treat that condition. Usually, the patient is referred to a dental specialist or a dentist with advanced learning in a concentrated subject area. These subject matter experts may have their own private practice or business, work in a group practice, share space with another dentist, work in a teaching institution or be hired by another dentist.