Specializing vs. certification in a specialty

[Kavity]

I've heard of dentists specializing in one specialty (for example, orthodontics), which requires years of additional training, but I have also met dentists who have done a 6 month certification course in orthodontics. What's the difference? Are there benefits/drawbacks to either?
Please include any additional information about the programs and what they entail. I'm just trying to explore options at this point.
Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[rivarat]

Do you think the level of quality between a practitioner who specializes versus one who does a few weekend courses is different?

Have you heard the expression "jack of all trades, master of none?"

 

[bjpenn]

I'm looking into this 2 year certification for ortho and I am a gp, but I can never call myself an orthodontist. Its really hard to get into an orthodontic residency!

I've also seen crap work by specialists. it really depends on the INDIVIDUAL.

 

[Kavity]

Thanks, guys!

 

[BWG]

If you want to restrict your practice and do a lot of ortho, get an ortho residency. You'll almost never get a referral for ortho/endo/etc without. If you want to do ortho/endo/implants/ect on your own patients then take CE and get educated enough to be competent and know when that case is one that you may not do as well as a specialist. Be educated, trust yourself.

 

[Cello]

Do you think the level of quality between a practitioner who specializes versus one who does a few weekend courses is different?

Have you heard the expression "jack of all trades, master of none?"

This is true on the whole. If you take your average specialist and compare them to your average GP with a certificate then the specialists will tend to be superior at whatever specialty they are in. But, there may be individual GPs who are better at root canals than a specialist endodontist. What if the GP has been doing lots of endo for decades and the endodontist just finished his/her residency? I agree with you in spirit, but one could also make the case for the generalist who is passionate about something but receives less formal training than a specialist. I knew of a senior GP who worked with an OS and they spoke as peers because the GP had so much experience with oral surgery and sedation over his decades in practice.

 

[rivarat]

This is true on the whole. If you take your average specialist and compare them to your average GP with a certificate then the specialists will tend to be superior at whatever specialty they are in. But, there may be individual GPs who are better at root canals than a specialist endodontist. What if the GP has been doing lots of endo for decades and the endodontist just finished his/her residency? I agree with you in spirit, but one could also make the case for the generalist who is passionate about something but receives less formal training than a specialist. I knew of a senior GP who worked with an OS and they spoke as peers because the GP had so much experience with oral surgery and sedation over his decades in practice.

Very well stated. I will not argue with that, in fact, a GP who limits their practice to a certain procedure is no longer a "jack of all trades." Certainly better than a new graduate.

I would still stand by my assertion that a GP dabbling in certain procedures cannot expect to perform at the level of a specialist. That's my major point.