It is important to remember that there is a lot more to the field of dentistry than cleanings and fillings. In fact, there are so many different procedures that a dentist can perform that many dentists choose a dental specialty in order to focus their attention on a specific group of procedures.

Each of these specialties is designed to address a specific group of oral problems, and to work in these specialties you will have to prove that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to treat these problems. You need to not only master the procedures related to the specialty that you are planning to pursue, but also to obtain the degrees and/or certifications to prove that you are prepared for the specialty in which you are planning to practice. To ensure that you are able to enter the specialty that you want to enter, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind.

• First, it is important to get an idea of some of the procedures that you will actually be required to carry out once you enter a specialty. Each of the dental specialties that you may pursue focuses on a specific group of procedures, and you need to make sure that you are entering a specialty that will allow you to perform the procedures that you want to perform. For example, an endodontist may perform root canals on a regular basis, but it is very unlikely that an endodontist will extract teeth or fill cavities. A career in the endodontics specialty may make sense if you want to perform root canals, but it doesn’t make as much sense if you want to do something else.
• Second, try to get an idea of some of the degrees and/or certifications that you will be required to obtain. Every state has a different set of requirements, and you must make sure that you have the degrees and/or certifications that are needed for the specialty that you are trying to enter.

Dental Public Health: Dental public health is a specialty in which dental professionals attempt to develop and/or teach the techniques that patients can use to protect their mouths and teeth. Dental public health specialists assess patient statistics to determine if there are diseases and disorders that are more common in a particular area than they should be; conduct analyses and surveys to determine the primary cause of the prevalence of a particular disease or disorder; conduct research; develop community plans and programs to teach professionals and patients the techniques that they can use to lower the risk that a patient will develop some of the more prevalent diseases and disorders; establish community programs to help individuals find the care that they need; find ways to help, or take action against, professionals who are failing to live up to their ethical and/or legal responsibilities; and perform a variety of other similar tasks. It is important to note, however, that a dental public health specialist is not a typical dentist; he or she will not perform procedures on patients. A dental public health specialist tries to find ways to improve the overall oral health of a community as a whole rather than the health of a specific patient.

An individual in the dental public health specialty is typically known as a dental public health specialist or a dental public health dentist, but some may also be known as dental consultants, dental health administrators, or dental public health directors. The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become a dental public health specialist will vary from state to state. However, most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, a license to practice dentistry, and a Master of Science Degree in Public Health (MSPH) with a dental public health specialty. (Most dental schools will allow you to earn your MSPH in Dental Public Health in two to three years, but some programs are shorter.) It is important to note that a certification from the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH, which is also known as the American Board of Public Health Dentistry or ABPHD) may be required in some states, but it is not typically required for an individual working in the dental public health specialty.

Endodontics

Endodontics is a dental specialty that deals with the procedures used to treat the root of the tooth. Endodontists conduct consults (examinations upon referral); conduct follow-up exams; diagnose problems with the root or pulp of a tooth; design treatment plans for patients with problems related to the root of a tooth; examine x-rays; explain treatment options; perform surgical procedures on the root of the tooth and the pulp inside; use local anesthetics and other similar drugs to control a patient’s pain; and carry out other similar activities. Some of the procedures that endodontists commonly perform include root end surgeries, root canal therapies, and root removal surgeries. Dental professionals in the endodontics specialty are typically known as endodontists, but some may also be known as endodontic associates, endodontic specialists, oral surgeons, root canal specialists, or general dentists. (A general dentist may perform some of the procedures that an endodontist performs, but a general dentist will typically refer patients to other dental professionals for some of the more complicated endodontic procedures.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become an endodontist may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a two-year residency program in endodontics. (Some dental schools may require you to complete a three-year residency program instead of a two-year program.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Endodontists (ABE) before you begin working as an endodontist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you to prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own endodontics practice.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a dental specialty that deals with the techniques used to diagnose and treat issues in the face, jaws, or mouth. Oral and maxillofacial pathologists conduct research into new ways to treat oral or maxillofacial issues; design treatment plans for diseases and disorders that are difficult to treat and/or diseases and disorders that general dentists do not typically encounter; diagnose problems both inside and outside the mouth; examine biopsies for signs of cancer or other problems inside or outside the mouth; examine patients; examine x-rays; treat conditions that a general dentist may not be able to treat; and carry out other similar activities. Some of the diseases that oral and maxillofacial pathologists are typically required to diagnose and/or treat include cicatricial pemphigoid (a condition that causes blisters to develop on or near the mucus membranes), hairy tongue (a condition that causes a hairlike coating to develop on the tongue), oral candidiasis (a yeast infection of the mouth), oral cancer, and recurrent aphthous ulcerations (canker sores).

Dental professionals in the oral and maxillofacial pathology specialty are typically known as oral pathologists or oral and maxillofacial pathologists, but some may also be known as oral consultants, oral pathology researchers, oral specialists, oral and maxillofacial specialists, or general dentists. (General dentists may diagnose and/or treat some of the conditions that an oral and maxillofacial pathologist would treat, but they will not typically treat all of them.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become an oral and maxillofacial pathologist may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a three-year residency program in oral and maxillofacial pathology. (Some dental schools may offer a four- or five-year program that will allow you to obtain additional certifications and degrees.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (ABOMP) before you begin working as an oral pathologist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own oral pathology practice.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is a dental specialty that deals with the techniques and imaging equipment used to take and examine images of a patient’s face, jaws, and mouth. Oral and maxillofacial radiologists examine images to diagnose oral and/or maxillofacial issues; use x-rays and other images to help surgeons and other dental professionals locate the areas in which surgical procedures need to be performed; use imaging equipment to scan patients and create images of the face, jaws, and/or mouth; and carry out other similar tasks. Some of the equipment that oral and maxillofacial radiologists use includes bitewing x-ray machines, computed tomographic (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, panoramic x-ray machines, periapical x-ray machines, position emission tomography (PET) scanners, and ultrasound machines.

Dental professionals in the oral and maxillofacial radiology specialty are typically known as oral radiologists or oral and maxillofacial radiologists, but some may also be known as oral radiology specialists, radiologists, or specialists in a specific type of radiology equipment (for example an oral radiologist that specializes in MRIs may be known as an MRI specialist or as an oral MRI specialist). They may also be known as general dentists or oral surgeons. (General dentists and oral surgeons will usually have the equipment and expertise required to create some of the images that oral radiologists create, but they need to seek outside assistance for certain images.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become an oral and maxillofacial radiologist may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a two-year residency program in oral and maxillofacial radiology. (Some dental schools offer a three-year program instead of a two year program.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR) before you begin working as an oral radiologist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own oral radiology practice.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a dental specialty that deals with the surgical procedures used to treat issues of the face, jaws, and mouth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons conduct consults (examinations upon referral); conduct follow-up exams; diagnose oral and maxillofacial problems; design treatment plans for patients with oral and/or maxillofacial problems; explain treatment options; perform surgical procedures to correct or eliminate oral and/or maxillofacial problems; perform surgical procedures to treat injuries to the face, jaws, and/or mouth; prescribe drugs to treat oral and/or maxillofacial infections; use local anesthetics and other similar drugs to control a patient’s pain; and carry out a variety of other similar tasks. Some of the procedures that oral and maxillofacial surgeons typically perform include cosmetic surgeries, cyst and tumor removals, dental implantations, dentofacial correction, facial trauma surgeries, reconstructive surgeries, and tooth extractions.

Dental professionals in the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty are typically known as oral and maxillofacial surgeons or oral surgeons, but some may also be known as craniofacial surgeons, cranio-maxillofacial trauma surgeons, , orthognathic surgeons, or general dentists. (A general dentist may perform some of the procedures that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs, but a general dentist will not typically be able to perform all of them.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a four-year residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. (Some dental schools offer a six-year residency program that will allow you to obtain an oral and maxillofacial surgery certificate and a medical degree.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) before you begin working as an oral surgeon, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own oral surgery practice.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is a dental specialty that deals with the procedures used to correct problems with an individual’s bite and/or problems with the positioning of an individual’s teeth. Orthodontists conduct consults (examinations upon referral); conduct follow-up exams; diagnose problems with a patient’s bite and/or the positioning of a patient’s teeth; design treatment plans to correct bite and/or dental positioning problems; examine x-rays; explain treatment options; install dental devices designed to correct bite and/or dental positioning problems; teach patients about the dental devices that they may need to use and the techniques that they can use to care for and/or remove those devices; and carry out other similar tasks. The two dental devices that are most commonly used in the field of orthodontics are braces and retainers, but there are a number of other devices that an orthodontist may use, as well. Some of the devices that orthodontists use are specifically intended to correct problems with the way that a child’s facial structure is developing rather than the way that the teeth are positioned; these devices are typically known as dentofacial orthopedic devices.

Dental professionals in the orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics specialty are typically known as orthodontists, but some may also be known as orthodontic specialists, orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic specialists, or general dentists. (A general dentist may be able to install some of the devices that an orthodontist installs, but a general dentist will not typically be able to install all of them.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become an orthodontist may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a two-year residency program in orthodontics. (Some dental schools offer a three-year program that will lead to a master’s degree instead of a certificate.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) before you begin working as an orthodontist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own orthodontic practice.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that deals with the procedures used to treat dental problems in children. These professionals typically treat individuals below the age of 18, but they may treat individuals past the age of 18 in some cases (especially if a patient has autism or other similar special needs). Pediatric dentists conduct examinations; clean teeth; check for signs of tooth decay and other similar issues; diagnose problems with a child’s teeth and/or mouth; design treatment plans to correct problems with a child’s teeth and/or mouth; prepare cavities for restoration and place fillings into prepared cavities; provide information to parents; refer patients to orthodontists and other similar specialists; teach children the appropriate way to brush and floss their teeth; teach children about the foods that may help or damage their teeth; and carry out a variety of other similar tasks.

Dental professionals in the pediatric dentistry specialty are typically known as pediatric dentists, but some may also be known as children’s dentists, paedodontists, pedodontists, or general dentists (a general dentist may not be able to perform dental procedures on children in some states). The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become a pediatric dentist may vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, complete a two-year residency program in pediatric dentistry (some dental schools may have a three-year program instead of a two-year program), and obtain a license to practice pediatric dentistry. You may also be required to obtain a certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) before you begin your career as a pediatric dentist in some states, but the ABPD certification is not typically required.

Periodontics

Periodontics is a dental specialty that deals with the procedures used to treat issues in an individual’s gums and the other structures that support an individual’s teeth. Periodontists conduct consults (examinations upon referral); conduct follow-up exams; diagnose problems with the gums and the other structures that support the teeth; design treatment plans for patients with gum problems and/or problems with the structures that support their teeth; explain treatment options; perform surgical procedures to correct or remove problems with the gums and the structures that support an individual’s teeth; use local anesthetics and other similar drugs to control a patient’s pain; use special procedures to remove excess bacteria, plaque, and tartar; and carry out a variety of other similar tasks. Some of the procedures that periodontists typically perform include cosmetic surgeries, dental implantations, pocket reduction (a procedure to correct some of the problems associated with periodontal disease), scaling (a procedure to clean off some of the plaque and tartar that may build up on the root of a tooth), and root planing (a procedure to clean off some of the bacteria that may be present on the root of a tooth).

Dental professionals in the periodontics specialty are typically known as periodontists, but some may also be known as oral surgeons, periodontal specialists, periodontal surgeons, or general dentists. (A general dentist will typically be able to perform some, but not all, of the procedures that a periodontist performs.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become a periodontist will vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a three-year residency program in periodontology. (Some dental schools may have a four- or five-year program that will allow you to earn additional certifications and/or degrees in periodontology.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Periodontology (ABP or ABPerio) before you begin working as a periodontist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own periodontics practice.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that deals with the procedures used to replace missing teeth and to improve the appearance of an individual’s face, mouth, and/or smile. Prosthodontists conduct consults (examinations upon referral); conduct follow-up exams; diagnose problems related to missing teeth or a lack of supporting tissue; design treatment plans to replace missing teeth and/or to correct the issues that the lack of teeth or the lack of support may have caused; examine x-rays; explain treatment options; install dental devices that are designed to replace missing teeth and/or support existing teeth; perform surgical procedures to correct or reconstruct the structure of an individual’s face and/or mouth; teach patients about the dental devices that they may need to use and the techniques that they can use to care for and/or remove those devices; use local anesthetics and other similar drugs to control a patient’s pain; and carry out a variety of other similar tasks. Some of the devices that prosthodontists typically use include bridges, crowns, dental implants, full dentures, inlays, onlays, partial dentures (both fixed and removable), and veneers.

Dental professionals in the prosthodontics specialty are typically known as prosthodontists, but some may also be known as cosmetic dentists, maxillofacial prosthodontists, prosthodontic specialists, or general dentists. (A general dentist will typically be able to install some, but not all, of the devices that a prosthodontist installs.)

The specific requirements that you must meet in order to become a prosthodontist will vary from state to state, but most states will require you to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, obtain a license to practice dentistry, and complete a three-year residency program in prosthodontics. (Some dental schools may have a four- or five-year program that will allow you to earn additional certifications and/or degrees.) You may also want to obtain a certification from the American Board of Prosthodontists (ABP) before you begin working as a prosthodontist, even though it is not typically required by law, because it will help you prove that you have the skills that you need to work in another dentist’s office or establish your own prosthodontics practice.