Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 150 - RULES OF GEORGIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Chapter 150-11 - SPECIALTIES
Rule 150-11-.01 - Specialties

(a) 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 that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with dental health education of the public, which applied dental prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "public health dentist," "specialist in dental public health" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(b) Endodontics: Endodontics is that branch of dentistry that deals with diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions that arise as a result of pathoses of the dental pulp. Its study encompasses related basic and clinical sciences including the biology of the normal pulp and supporting structures, etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and periradicular tissues. A dentist who represents himself or herself as an "endodontist," "specialist in endodontics" or similar term, has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time representation is made.

(c) Oral Pathology: Oral Pathology is that branch of science that deals with the nature of the diseases affecting the oral and adjacent regions, through study of its causes, its processes and its effect, together with the associated alterations of oral structure and function. The practice of oral pathology shall include the development and application of this knowledge through the use of clinical, microscopic, radiograph, biochemical or other such laboratory examinations or procedures as may be required to establish a diagnosis and/or gain other information necessary to maintain the health of the patient, or to correct the result of structural or functional changes produced by alterations from the normal. A dentist who represents himself or herself as an "oral pathologist," "specialist in oral pathology" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(d) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry that 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. A dentist who represents himself or herself as an "oral and/or maxillofacial surgeon," "specialist in oral and/or maxillofacial surgery" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(e) Orthodontics: Orthodontics is that area of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance and correction of the growing of mature dentofacial structures, including the conditions that require movement of teeth or correction of malrelationships and malformations of their related structures and the adjustment of relationships between and among teeth and facial bones by the application of forces and/or the stimulation and redirection of functional forces within the craniofacial complex. Major responsibilities of orthodontic practice include the diagnosis, prevention, interception and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding structures; the design, application and control of functional and corrective appliances; and the guidance of the dentition and its supporting structures to attain and maintain optimum occlusal relations in physiologic and esthetic harmony among facial and cranial structures. A dentist who represents himself or herself as an "orthodontist," "Specialist in orthodontics" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(f) Pediatric Dentistry: Pediatric Dentistry is the practice and teaching of comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care of children from birth through adolescence. It shall be construed to include care for special patients beyond the age of adolescence who demonstrate mental, physical and/or emotional problems. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "pediatric dentist," "specialist in pediatric dentistry" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(g) Periodontics: Periodontics is that branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth. The maintenance of the health of these structures and tissues, achieved through periodontal treatment procedures, is also considered to be the responsibility of the dentist. The scope shall be limited to preclude permanent restorative dentistry. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "periodontist," "specialist in periodontics" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(h) 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 Maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "prosthodontist," "specialist in prosthodontics" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(i) Oral or 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. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "specialist in oral and maxillofacial radiology" has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(j) Dental Anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of anesthesiology encompassing the art and science of managing pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial and adjunctive surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the entire perioperative period. The specialty is dedicated to promoting patient safety as well as access to care for all dental patients, including the very young and patients with special health care needs. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "dental anesthesiologist," "specialist in dental anesthesiology" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(k) Oral Medicine: Oral Medicine is the specialty of dentistry responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for the diagnosis and management of medically related diseases, disorders and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "specialist in oral medicine" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.

(l) Orofacial Pain: Orofacial Pain is the specialty of dentistry that encompasses the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck. The specialty of Orofacial Pain is dedicated to the evidenced-based understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, etiology, prevention, and treatment of these disorders and improving access to interdisciplinary patient care. A dentist who represents himself or herself as a "specialist in orofacial pain" or similar term has completed the educational requirements stated in the American Dental Association's specialty practice guidelines in existence at the time the representation is made.