DENTAL SPECIALTIES

A specialty is an area of dentistry that has been formally recognized by the American Dental Association as meeting the specified Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties. The responsibilities of the different areas of specialization, the requirements and other information can be found here in Dental Specialties. Currently there are nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA.

Requirements for Recognition

Dental specialties are recognized by the Association to protect the public, nurture the art and science of dentistry, and improve the quality of care. It is the Associations’ belief that the needs of the public are best served if the profession is oriented primarily to general practice. Specialties are recognized in those areas where advanced knowledge and skills are essential to maintain or restore oral health (Association policies are contained in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct).

Not all areas in dentistry will satisfy the requirements for specialty recognition. However, the public and profession benefit substantially when non-specialty groups develop and advance areas of interest through education, practice and research. Acknowledged by the profession, the contributions of such and their endeavors are encouraged.

Following approval by the House of Delegates, the sponsoring organization must establish a national board for certifying diplomats in accordance with the “Requirements for National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists” as specified in the downloadable document below. Additionally, the Commission on Dental Accreditation develops educational requirements and establishes an accreditation program for advanced educational programs in the specialty. The Council on Dental Education and Licensure and the sponsoring organization monitors the administrative standards and operation of the certifying board.

A specialty is an area of dentistry that has been formally recognized by the American Dental Association as meeting the Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists. As part of the specialty recognition process, applicants must complete an Application for Specialty Recognition.

Definitions of Recognized Dental Specialties

Approved by the Council on Dental Education and Licensure, American Dental Association

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)

READ THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS AND WRITE THE RIGHT SPECIALTY THEY SHOULD GO TO :

1. Tom had a car accident and he got his mandibulla got broken and also his front teeth. ___________________

2. Susan and Richard have a thirteen years old son who has his upper canines out of oclusal line. _______________

3. My grandmother has lost almost all upper teeth, she can’t eat properly. ________________4. Grace’s gums bleed whenever she brushes her teeth . ______________ 5. I have had a toothache every time I drink cold water, apparently there is not dental decay on

the tooth. ______________________ 6. My brother will need a surgery to extract his lower right third molar

Passive voice

A - ARE THE SENTENCES WRITTEN IN ACTIVE OR PASSIVE?

1) Dentist give speeches to some communities. a)Active b) Passive

2) I brush my teeth three times a day. a)Active b)Passive

3) She was given some pills for her toothache. a)Active b)Passive

4) Children are given preventive treatment. a)Active b)Passive

5) She received an endondotic treatment. a)Active b)Passive

6) They used brackets some years ago. a)Active b)Passive

7) You got a radiography on your third molar. a)Active b)Passive

8) Three of her teeth were replaced after the accident. a)Active b)Passive

9) Lots of my teeth were affected for a periodontal disease. a)Active b)Passive

10) The doctor made a deep hole in my tooth. a)Active b)Passive

B - MAKE PASSIVE FORMS FROM THE GIVEN PHRASES. MIND THE TENSES IN BRACKETS.

1) My teeth / rinse / fluoride (Simple Present) ______________________________________

2) x ray films / take / all my upper jaw (Simple Present) ___________________________________

3) dental care campaigner / make / sometimes (Simple Present) ______________________________________

4) stories - to tell (Simple Present) ______________________________________

5) computer games - to buy (Simple Present) ______________________________________

6) books - to write (Simple Past) ______________________________________

7) volleyball - to play (Simple Past) ______________________________________

8) songs - to sing (Simple Past) ______________________________________

9) skateboards - to ride (Simple Past) ______________________________________

10) a prize - to win (Simple Past) ______________________________________

11) my teeth – check (simple Present) __________________________________

12) teeth – extract (simple present) _____________________________________

C - REWRITE THE ACTIVE SENTENCES INTO PASSIVE. 1) They understand Spanish. ____________________________________________________________________ 2) My friend bought a new car. ____________________________________________________________________ 3) John cleaned the bathroom. ____________________________________________________________________

4) The teacher closes the window. ____________________________________________________________________ 5) The girls can play handball. ____________________________________________________________________ 6) Our dog did not bite the cat. ____________________________________________________________________ 7) The mechanic repairs cars. ____________________________________________________________________ 8) The electricians test the fire alarm. ____________________________________________________________________ 9) Levi Strauss invented the blue jeans. ____________________________________________________________________ 10) Frank takes photos. ____________________________________________________________________

D - REWRITE THE PASSIVE SENTENCES INTO ACTIVE. 1) The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. ____________________________________________________________________ 2) This book was written by an Irishman. ____________________________________________________________________ 3) The president was elected by the people. ____________________________________________________________________ 4) The bag was packed by his mother. ____________________________________________________________________ 5) The child was hit by a car. ____________________________________________________________________ 6) The exercise is completed by the teacher. ____________________________________________________________________ 7) The club was founded by Ron and Peggy. ____________________________________________________________________ 8) Football is played by the children. ____________________________________________________________________ 9) The computer is used by Patrick. ____________________________________________________________________ 10) Coffee is sold by Marie. ____________________________________________________________________