Dental Specialties
In addition to General Dentistry, there are currently nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). The following statistics are attributed to the 2014-15 ADA Survey:
- Dental Public Health: the control and prevention of dental disease through organized community efforts
- # of Programs: 15
- Applied: 146
- Accepted: 36
- Endodontics: the study and treatment of tissues affecting the vitality of the teeth (dental pulp)
- # of Programs: 56
- Applied: 3,570
- Accepted: 218
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: the study, diagnosis, and sometimes treatment of diseases in the oral and maxillofacial region
- # of Programs: 16
- Applied: 96
- Accepted: 17
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: the production and interpretation of images and data for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region
- # of Programs: 8
- Applied: 132
- Accepted: 17
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the function and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region
- # of Programs: 101
- Applied: 10,246
- Accepted: 257
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: the straightening of teeth due to developmental abnormalities that affect function and appearance
- # of Programs: 67
- Applied: 10,748
- Accepted: 375
- Pediatric Dentistry: dentistry for children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs
- # of Programs: 77
- Applied: 10,716
- Accepted: 448
- Periodontics: the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth and the maintenance of the health, function, and aesthetics of these structures and tissues
- # of Programs: 57
- Applied: 2,457
- Accepted: 181
- Prosthodontics: the replacement, restoration and maintenance of missing teeth with fixed or removable substitutes
- # of Programs: 47
- Applied: 2,222
- Accepted: 154
In addition to the dental specialties, dental graduates can receive advanced training ranging from one to two years before starting a general dental practice. These programs expand career options and scope of practice as well as sharpen and increase skills and knowledge in specialties that can help in general practice:
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD): advanced training in clinical dentistry and applied basic sciences with an emphasis in clinical dentistry. It is a planned, sequential postdoctoral training program specifically designed to meet the needs of recent graduates wanting to enhance their skills as general practitioners
- # of Programs: 91
- Applied: 6,439
- Accepted: 785
- General Practice Residency (GPR): advanced clinical and didactic training in general dentistry with an emphasis in medical management. Intensive hospital experience at the postdoctoral level either in a hospital or a hospital affiliated institution
- # of Programs: 184
- Applied: 10,989
- Accepted: 1,097
In addition to general dentistry advanced education programs, there are other non-specialty training programs. However, the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accreditate them. Postgraduate certificates, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees may be awarded depending on the program:
- Dental anesthesiology: deals with the management of pain through the use of advanced, local and general anesthesia techniques
- # of Programs: 9
- Applied: 200
- Accepted: 34
- Oral medicine: concerned with the health care of medically complex patients – including the diagnosis and management of medical conditions that affect the oral and maxillofacial region
- # of Programs: 7
- Applied: 66
- Accepted: 12
- Orofacial pain: assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex chronic orofacial, oromotor, and head and neck pain and dysfunction disorders, as well as the pursuit of knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology mechanisms
- # of Programs: 10
- Applied: 119
- Accepted: 19