What isn't a specialty?

[Frank22]

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It seems that every procedure a general practitioner does is part of some specialty. For example, a root canal falls under the specialty of endodontics, braces fall under orthodontics, crown and bridging operations fall under prosthodontics, third-molar extractions are accomplished by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and so on and so forth.

So my question is, what is a general practitioner qualified to do that doesn't fall under a "specialty"? I had the impression that all dentists understood some of the more basic procedures of every specialty, but that specialists are qualified to do some of the higher order procedures limited to their specialty. I don't like to go by assumptions, however, and would appreciate an answer.

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

I don't think Implants are considered a specialty...although people seem to prefer oral surgeons when getting them and some oral surgeons argue that they should be a specialty. The topic of whether implants should or shouldn't be tied to a specialty is under debate.
http://thewealthydentist.com/surveyresults/158-dental-implant-specialty.htm

 

[Frank22]

I think I worded my question wrong. I mean to say, what is it that general practitioner's can't do that that they otherwise would be licensed to do as a specialist? Another way of wording this (and more simple) is asking what a specialist can do that a general practitioner can't?

 

[7 Iron]

A general dentist is licensed to do all procedures. But often a GP will refer a patient to a specialist when they don't feel like they have enough experience or training to perform to the standard of care. Specialists also get the toughest cases, such as endo on teeth with curved roots, impacted third molars, or full-mouth rehabilitations.

 

[preOMFS]

Lefort I osteotomy and BSSO to name two.

 

[Sublimazing]

Lefort I osteotomy and BSSO to name two.

What about a lefort 2?

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Lefort I osteotomy and BSSO to name two.

Lefort 1 with nitrous?

 

[Bereno]

There are tons of operations that the OMFS can do that a GP cannot. This is because of extenstive surgical training required to be an OMFS. Both the LeFort Osteotomy and BSSO are two examples among many that would NEVER be considered by a GP.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Apicoectomies, pulpal revascularization, gum graphs, deep sedation and many advanced surgery procedures are often not done by GP's.

 

[Barking Lamb]

So my question is, what is a general practitioner qualified to do that doesn't fall under a "specialty"?

Slow down guys and read the OP. He doesn't want to know what specialists can do.

 

[CMistry]

Don't forget that all specialists go through dental school and are therefore trained as GPs; they can technically do anything that a GP could. Hell they can even work as a GP so long as they do not advertise their specialty training. But to answer your question simply, I think restorative dentistry is the one aspect that no specialty really covers (sans some prosthodontists?).

Cyrus

 

[ortho lurker]

So my question is, what is a general practitioner qualified to do that doesn't fall under a "specialty"?

Fillings (on adults).

 

[Frank22]

Thank you barking lamb! I suppose the best way to word my question is, if you had to make to make a list of all the procedures every competent GP should know how to do, what would they be?

 

[HoustonDAT]

So my question is, what is a general practitioner qualified to do that doesn't fall under a "specialty"?

I don't think any specialists make bleaching trays.

 

[Bereno]

I think I worded my question wrong. I mean to say, what is it that general practitioner's can't do that that they otherwise would be licensed to do as a specialist? Another way of wording this (and more simple) is asking what a specialist can do that a general practitioner can't?

Thank you barking lamb! I suppose the best way to word my question is, if you had to make to make a list of all the procedures every competent GP should know how to do, what would they be?

Are these two different questions? I guess I am getting confused as to what you are asking specifically. To answer the first there have been many posts on what a specialist can do that a GP cannot. To answer the second, well... that list would be long haha 😀 I'll add a few, but by no means is it complete:

Fillings
Extractions (basic)
Crowns
Sealants
Bonding
Maybe even implants... etc

 

[Frank22]

All together it seems reasonable to say there's no such thing as general dentistry. GPs simply learn the basics of the specialties (or most of them) and complete there education in one of the specialties if they pursue further education.

 

[jeffity]

All together it seems reasonable to say there's no such thing as general dentistry. GPs simply learn the basics of the specialties (or most of them) and complete there education in one of the specialties if they pursue further education.

I'm not trying to be silly, but it's sort of implied with the terms 'general' and 'specialist'.

I wouldn't say there's no such thing as general dentistry just because there's not a laundry list of procedures specific to just GPs. GPs play a different role in dentistry than any of the specialists. Generally speaking, they're the gateway before the specialists. Most people won't casually walk into an orthodontist's or endodontist's office off the street asking to have a specific procedure done. GPs are sort of on the front lines dealing directly with the general public on a routine basis (hopefully) or emergencies and diagnosing and treating lot of things. They're the go-to guy for the toothache or the busted tooth. What's handled in house and what's not is up to each dentist. The obvious exception to this is pediatric.

Generally dentistry is not a classified specialty, but I think it's special and unique from the other specialties. Sure, you can think of it as just learning the basics of all the specialties, but that's what's unique because there's a whole lot of things a GP can do that a specialist can't do.

 

[Frank22]

I think the term general dentistry implies something different from special dentistry, while in reality it's the opposite: general dentistry is composed of various specialties.

 

[jeffity]

I think the term general dentistry implies something different from special dentistry, while in reality it's the opposite: general dentistry is composed of various specialties.

But it's far-fetched to say that there is no such thing as general dentistry. It's in a complete different class of its own. You're looking at this as a list of procedures. It's not that black and white...unless you look at your job only as a series of various mechanical movements.

 

[yappy]

I think it is the severity and scope of procedures you do. Specialists limit their scope and are experts in the procedures that effect the area of the mouth they're interested in. Generalists do all procedures that they're comfortable with and will pitch off hard cases to the specialists. Why is this such a debate lol?

You're trying to make the case that the GP must have something proprietary to their practice which is a false assumption.

 

[trinstudent]

I think the answer is that the specialists are just those who decide to do only a particular set of similar procedures that are inherent to general dentistry. In the days of our grandfathers there were really only three types of dentists: general dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons. All of the other specialties were created much later.

 

[Frank22]

But it's far-fetched to say that there is no such thing as general dentistry. It's in a complete different class of its own. You're looking at this as a list of procedures. It's not that black and white...unless you look at your job only as a series of various mechanical movements.

I think that general dentistry combines various specialties which makes it different from any given specialty, but I have a difficult time saying that it's in a completely different class of its own. All dentists must learn general dentistry before they learn a specialty.