can specialized dentist works as general dentist

[oral09]

Sorry for the ignorance. But I heard this all the time that specialized dentist can only work in their specialty. For example, pediatric dentist cannot see adult patients. I could not find anything on the ADA website about this issue. Could anyone please help me? If possible, please post some official documents about this.
Thank you

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[flapaTron]

i believe it's in the Code of Ethics somewhere....
sorry that's all i got for ya.

 

[The Dawgfather]

yeah I think it is in the ADA code of ethics. I am pretty sure if you are a specialist and you are ADVERTISING as such, then your scope of practice is limited to that specialty. However, if you are not advertising as a specialist, then I believe you can do whatever.

 

[Tooth]

I understand that, at your own practice, you must limit your practice to that of the specialty. But if you're an associate somewhere else too, you can still do your general dentist thing there.

 

[The Dawgfather]

http://www.ada.org/sections/about/pdfs/ada_code.pdf

section 5.H "Veracity"

 

[lt262]

I have a class mate who's dad is an endodontist but practices general dentistry. He doesn't however advertise as an endo, just a GP. So you theoretically can do general, but it sounds like a specialist doing general dentistry is frowned upon if they advertise themselves as a specialist. The more obvious point to me is why would they? A lot of specialists rely heavily on referrals from GPs, which they wouldn't get if they were practicing general themselves. And also specialists get paid more for what they do so it would be like a GP doing his own cleanings instead of hiring a hygienist, it doesn't financially make sense. My current plans are to specialize in pedo, but if my mom needs something done I'm not going to send her elsewhere, even if it is frowned upon.

 

[Truedat]

yeah I think it is in the ADA code of ethics. I am pretty sure if you are a specialist and you are ADVERTISING as such, then your scope of practice is limited to that specialty. However, if you are not advertising as a specialist, then I believe you can do whatever.

What this guy said

 

[Hillo]

How about you advertise yourself as a specialist but would like to practice general dentistry at a community health center?

 

[docdok]

Specialist can do whatever they want just like a Gen Den can do any specialty procedure they want....

The only thing is that a specialist who does genden doesn't advertise as specialist. Just like GenDen doesn't advertise as specialist just because they decided to do only specialty procedures.

There is no law that says specialist then you gave up license to practice the rest of dentistry.

 

[Silent Cool]

Sorry for the ignorance. But I heard this all the time that specialized dentist can only work in their specialty. For example, pediatric dentist cannot see adult patients. I could not find anything on the ADA website about this issue. Could anyone please help me? If possible, please post some official documents about this.
Thank you

Yes, I believe that is right--it is illegal. The problem with practicing a specialty and gen'l is self-referral, which is illegal. So yes, an endodontist cannot also advertise him or herself as a general dentist. Same goes for other specialists.

 

[Sublimazing]

Specialist can do whatever they want just like a Gen Den can do any specialty procedure they want....

The only thing is that a specialist who does genden doesn't advertise as specialist. Just like GenDen doesn't advertise as specialist just because they decided to do only specialty procedures.

There is no law that says specialist then you gave up license to practice the rest of dentistry.

+1. Can still practice gen dent.

However...if an oral surgeon places a crown or a filling after 5 years of standard omfs pp and an untoward event should occur, dento-legally (new word) it would be easy to show they were practicing out of their scope

I worked w a board certified perio who placed crowns on his perio patients and it worked out great for him and his patients

I worked w a board cert pedo who continued to treat his patients into their 30s+ and it worked bc they liked him and didnt have to find a new dentist

 

[OhioDMD]

Ohio Dental Law

4715-5-04 SPECIALTY DESIGNATION.
(A) A licensed dentist is recognized as a specialist in Ohio if the dentist meets the standards set forth in paragraph (B) of this
rule. Any licensed dentist who does not meet the standards set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule is a general dentist. A
general dentist is permitted to render specialty services in Ohio but may not formally limit his practice to any specific area(s)
of practice.
(B) A licensed dentist must comply with the following requirements before being recognized as a specialist in Ohio:
Ohio State Dental Board Ohio Administrative Code
Chapter 4715
41
(1) The indicated specialty(s) of dentistry must be those for which there are certifying boards recognized by the American
dental association; and
(2) The practice of the licensed dentist seeking specialty recognition must be limited exclusively to the indicated specialty
area(s); and
(3) The licensed dentist seeking specialty recognition must have successfully completed a post-doctoral education
program for each specialty, which post-doctoral education program, at the time of completion, was accredited or held
“preliminary provisional approval” or “accreditation eligible status” by the American dental association commission on
dental accreditation; or
(4) The licensed dentist seeking specialty recognition must be a diplomate of the national certifying board of a specialty
recognized by the American dental association.
(5) The requirements of paragraphs (B)(3) and (B)(4) of this rule shall not apply to otherwise qualified specialists who have
announced their specialty or designation prior to August 1, 1974.
(C) The use of the terms “specialist”, “specializes” or “practice limited to” or the terms “orthodontist”, “oral and maxillofacial
surgeon”, “oral and maxillofacial radiologist”, “periodontist”, “pediatric dentist”, “prosthodontist”, “endodontist”, “oral
pathologist”, or “public health dentist” or other similar terms which imply that the dentist is a specialist may only be used by
licensed dentists meeting the requirements of paragraph (B) of this rule.
(D) All licensed dentists who advertise services must comport with rules 4715-13-01 through 4715-13-05 of the Administrative
Code.
(E) Rules regarding the advertising of specialty services are specifically set forth in rule 4715-13-05 of the Administrative Code.
Effective: 07-06-2006
Prior Effective Dates: 8-1-74; 10-1-88; 2-5-93; 10-23-95 (Emer.); 1-27-96; 4-28-98; 5-15-03
4715

 

[jda02624]

This has nothing to do with the ADA. Remember that the ADA is an organization only and it's optional to become a member. They do not regulate how you practice. It is determined by the state that issues your dental license and will vary based on the state in which you practice. Some states, such as Ohio (listed above) limit a specialist to practicing their specialty only. For example, I had a license in Nevada and it was a specialty license limiting my professional practice to that alone. In PA, my license is "dentist" and I don't think I'm limited, but I would have to check.
Each state issues their own license and they determine what you can do with it.