Category: Specialties
The GDC currently recognises 13 various fields of dentistry with regards to their specialist register. In addition, there is also the field of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, which in the UK is recognised as a medical specialty. You are not required to join a specialist list to practise a specialty, however, only dentists on these specialist lists have the right to use the ‘specialist’ title.
Specialising allows a dentist to focus on one particular field. In the following pages you can find out more about each specialty from experts in their respective fields, with advice on the specialty pathway as well as sharing their experiences as a specialist.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Oral Medicine is concerned with the oral health care of patients with chronic, recurrent and medically related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region, and with their diagnosis and non-surgical management. In the following article, Professor John Gibson, Consultant in Oral Medicine, discusses how you can establish a career in this field.
Dental Public Health is a non-clinical specialty involving the science and art of preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health to the population rather than the individual. It involves the assessment of dental health needs and ensuring dental services meet those needs. In the following article, Dr David Conway, Consultant in Public Health discusses how you can establish a career in this field.
Special Care Dentistry involves the improvement of the oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of these factors. It pertains to adolescents and adults. In the following article, Nicholas Beacher discusses how you can establish a career in Special Care Dentistry.
Orthodontics involves the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite and jaw. In the following article, Orthodontic Consultant, Iain Buchanan discusses how you can establish a career in this field.
Periodontics involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders (infections and inflammatory) of the gums and other structures around the teeth. In the following article, Consultant Periodontist Professor Kevin Seymour, discusses how you can establish a career in this field.
Paediatric Dentistry involves the comprehensive therapeutic oral health care for children from birth through adolescence, including care for those who demonstrate intellectual, medical, physical, psychological and/or emotional problems. In the following article Caroline Campbell, Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, discusses how you can establish a career in this field.
Over the next few weeks we will be posting a series of articles where you will be able to find out more about each specialty from experts in their respective fields, with advice on the specialty pathway as well as sharing their experiences as a specialist.