Specialized dentistry - Free Course

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

Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the area of dental practice that corrects malaligned teeth and jaws. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the nonprofit organization representing this specialty. (10) The American Board of Orthodontists (ABO) is responsible for certifying orthodontists with the title Diplomat.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry deals with the treatment of children. Pediatric dentists practice an advanced level of care for children in private offices, clinics, and hospital settings after completing two to three years postgraduate study in child psychology, growth and development. They are qualified to care for patients of any age with special needs such as medical, physical, or mental disabilities. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) represents this specialty. (11) The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) certifies the Diplomats.

Periodontics

Periodontics deals with prevention, diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of the supporting structures of the teeth using preventive, surgical and nonsurgical techniques. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) represents this specialty. (12) The American Board of Periodontology (ABP) certifies the Diplomats.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the area of dental practice that replaces lost maxillofacial structures with fixed or removable prosthetic devices. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the ADA-recognized organization for prosthodontics. (13) The American Board of Prosthodontics certifies the knowledge, skills and attributes of Diplomats.

DENTAL DISCIPLINES

There are other disciplines of dentistry where additional knowledge can be sought to add more scope and dimension to dental practice (Figure 2). Currently, these areas of dentistry may not be officially recognized as a viable dental treatment or as a dental specialty but are recognized as requiring additional training and education. In the future, once requirements of ADA's "Recognition of Dental Specialists" are met, they may be added to the list of recognized dental specialties. The general practitioner can gain advanced information in the disciplines to use when treating a particular type of patient, such as the physically challenged or sensory impaired.

Figure 2: Dental Disciplines

Complementary and Alternative
  Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Forensic Dentistry
High Tech Dentistry
Implants
Oral Anesthesiology
Oral Medicine
Sports Dentistry
Temporomandibular Joint
  Disorder

Alternative and Complementary Dentistry

Complementary and alternative therapy is the discipline of dentistry in which nontraditional practices and methods are used to treat chronic health problems. Allopathy is the system of using antagonists to cause a reaction that produces a different biological condition. A simple example of this is to cure fever by cooling the patient. Naturopathy is the system of using health restoration to allow the natural healing process. Homeopathy is the system of using repeated single or daily doses of plant extract or mineral that produce similar symptoms of the disease in order to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. The Holistic Dental Association (HDA) is available on the Internet for information on complementary and alternative therapy in dentistry. (14) (Ed. Note: For a thorough discussion of "Alternative Medicine in Dentistry" see ADAA Course #0112, Coyright [c] 2001, also authored by Esther K. Andrews.)