Hi guys,

I'm an incoming dental student, so I hope those that are currently in dental school can shed some light. I keep seeing all these ads of dentists advertising themselves as Implantologist, cosmetic dentists, by those are not actually residencies. Are they trained in GPR or AEGD? If so, can you just classify yourself as whatever your heart desires? :) I've even seen Invasiline Specialist, they're not mutually exclusive to ortho?

A dental specialist means that a person who has completed an accredited specialty program after getting the dental degree. These specialties are: Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Endodontics, Oral pathology, Oral Radiology, Periodontics, Prosthodontics (with or without Maxillofacial Prosthodontics), Public Health and Pedodontics. There are 9 specialties in dentistry so any disciplines that are not in these 9 are NOT considered as a specialty. AEGD and GPR are post graduate residencies in general dentistry and obviously do not warrant specialty status. By looking at the phone book or simply on the Net will give you a zillions advertisements such as " Dr. XXX , an Implantologist, or TMJ Specialist or Cosmetic Dentistry Specialist, or Oral Facial Pain Dental Specialist.... These advertisment is very misleading because they imply that the dentist is a specialist but in reality, they are not. I believe that there should be a law to prevent these people from advertising themselves as "specialists" in a non-existant specialty. DP

All though not a definate absolute, most true specialists that have graduated from a specialty program and choose to practice as a specialist in that area will advertise their practices with something like the following statement "practice limited to x"

Yes, those "implantologists" and/or "cosmetic specialists" may in some cases have impressive training/skills in those areas, but they in no way are literal dental specialists in those areas, just a marketing gimic

All though not a definate absolute, most true specialists that have graduated from a specialty program and choose to practice as a specialist in that area will advertise their practices with something like the following statement "practice limited to x"

Correct me if I am wrong please. I think I read somewhere that if you are a specialist, by law, you are required to limit your practice to that kind of specialty. If so, such statement could actually help identifying the true specialists.

What would be a more appropriate way to advertise that you have an extensive amount of training in Invisalign, implants, etc.?

Correct me if I am wrong please. I think I read somewhere that if you are a specialist, by law, you are required to limit your practice to that kind of specialty. If so, such statement could actually help identifying the true specialists.

Very true. In many states you have to sign a specialty clause which states that if you are a specialists and you advertise as one, then you must limit your practice to that specialty. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon cannot seal some deep pits or fissures.

Very true. In many states you have to sign a specialty clause which states that if you are a specialists and you advertise as one, then you must limit your practice to that specialty. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon cannot seal some deep pits or fissures.
Too bad. You guys might finally start making some money, what with perio stealing all your prophies.