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Specialized dentistry.


INTRODUCTION

This three-part continuing education course will provide information on general dentistry, dental specialties and dental disciplines. The requirements for dental practice in each subject area may be determined by general and specialty dental political entities or by groups, associations, academies or societies that ultimately must conform to the law of the land. Because many dental procedures are complicated or unique, advanced learning in the subject area better qualifies the practitioner to treat the patient. A general practitioner increases his or her legal liability by practicing beyond the normal realm of general practice, unless additional coursework is completed or educational requirements are met.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

* Recognize terminology used in dentistry.

* Determine when general dentistry and specialty dentistry are performed.

* Access dental organization web sites.

* Differentiate between dental disciplines and dental specialties.

* Recognize selected procedures, techniques and practice settings found in dentistry.

OUTLINE

I. Introduction

II. Course Objectives

III. Outline

IV. General Dentistry

V. Dental Specialties

VI. Dental Disciplines

VII. Summary

VIII. References

IX. Test Questions

GENERAL DENTISTRY

General dentists practice dentistry by using skills in oral diagnosis, disease prevention and rehabilitation. They diagnose and treat disorders of the mouth through patient assessment, treatment planning, patient education, disease prevention, operative dentistry and/or surgery. The general dentist renders complete dental service and refers complicated and unusual cases to dental specialists. About 80% of all dentists practice general dentistry while an estimated 20% practice a particular dental specialty. (1)

Educational Requirements

Most general practitioners earn the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery Noun 1. Doctor of Dental Surgery - a doctor's degree in dental surgery
DDS

doctor's degree, doctorate - one of the highest earned academic degrees conferred by a university
 (D.D.S.), with the degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) earned by the rest. The type of degree earned depends on the school attended. There is no difference in the educational background they receive. In order to practice dentistry in a state, the dentist must become licensed within that state. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and in the U.S. territories. Those practitioners enlisted in military service must have a valid dental license from any state in the U.S. After becoming licensed to practice, dentists must complete continuing dental education credits or units (CDE (1) (Computer Desktop Encyclopedia) What you are reading at this very moment. See About this product.

(2) (Common Desktop Environment) A user interface for desktop computing from The Open Group.
 or CEU) according to the requirements of the individual state licensing board. Beyond continuing education, additional advanced study can be pursued in a dental specialty or discipline.

Academy of General Dentistry Academy of General Dentistry (AGD),
n.pr a nonprofit, international organization dedicated to serving the needs and representing the general interests of dental professionals.


The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD AGD

amebic gill disease.
) is a nonprofit organization that provides CDE to the dental profession and resource information to the consumer public. Members of the AGD must complete 75 hours of continuing education in a continuous three-year period. AGD requirements are for personal advancement and achievement.

The AGD bestows two awards, the Fellowship award and the Mastership award. A general dentist earns the Fellowship award by maintaining membership for five continuous years, completing 500 hours of CDE, and passing a comprehensive exam. The Mastership award is presented after completion of the Fellowship award criteria and 1,100 hours of CDE that includes 400 hours of hands-on course work.

The AGD recognizes 16 disciplines of dentistry in which a Fellow must study. They are: Aesthetics, Basic Sciences, Endodontics endodontics: see dentistry. , Electives, Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics prosthodontics: see dentistry. , Implants, Occlusion, Operative Dentistry, Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics orthodontics: see dentistry. , Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics periodontics: see dentistry. , Practice Management, Self-Improvement, and Special Patient Care. (2) The completion of these Academy requirements earns the individual the right to be called a Fellow or Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD FAGD Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry
FAGD Florida Academy of General Dentistry
 or MAGD MAGD Master of the Academy of General Dentistry
MAGD Military Aid to Government Departments
).

The American Board of General Dentistry

A dental specialty must establish a national board for certifying Diplomats. Diplomats of the Board are individuals who have progressed to the highest educational reaches in a particular area of dentistry. The national board for certifying general dentistry Diplomats is the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD ABGD Air Base Ground Defense ). After a general dentist has completed the Fellowship and Mastership programs of the AGD, he or she then becomes eligible to join the ABGD and to complete the additional requirements to become a Diplomat. (3)

DENTAL SPECIALTIES

When general dentists encounter a complicated or an unusual patient case beyond their ability to manage, state laws require them to refer the patient to an individual better qualified to treat that condition. Usually, the patient is referred to a dental specialist or a dentist with advanced learning in a concentrated subject area. These subject matter experts may have their own private practice or business, work in a group practice, share space with another dentist, work in a teaching institution or be hired by another dentist.

The dental specialist has completed a general dentistry degree and postgraduate training in an accredited accredited

recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria.


accredited herds
cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g.
 American Dental Association American Dental Association (ADA),
n.pr a nonprofit professional association whose membership is dental professionals in the United States. Its purpose is to assist its members in providing the highest professional and ethical care to the citizens of the
 (ADA Ada, city, United States
Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area.
)-recognized dental specialty program of study. The ADA document, "Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialists," outlines the process for specialty status recognition. The ADA House of Delegates House of Delegates
n.
The lower house of the state legislature in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
 votes to establish a dental specialty when that specialty has demonstrated the advancement of the profession in education, practice and research in order to protect the public at large. (1)

Currently, there are nine ADA-recognized dental specialties (Figure 1). As new disciplines of dentistry become organized they can petition the ADA for official specialty status.
Figure 1: ADA-Recognized
Dental Specialties

Dental Public Health
Endodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics
Pediatric Dentistry
Prosthodontics


Educational Requirements

The ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation oversees dental specialty education. The additional education requirements vary from specialty to specialty. Generally, there are two to seven years of postgraduate education after dental school and a special certification board examination. Once their education is complete, specialists add the credential Master of Science (M.S.) after the credential D.D.S. or D.M.D. For example, an orthodontist's name may be written as Michele Smith, D.D.S., M.S., which signifies the completion of an advanced degree beyond the doctorate of dental science or doctorate of medical dentistry.

Upon completion of the educational requirements of the program, dental specialists must limit their practice to that one area of dentistry. General dentists who receive advanced knowledge in a subject area but who do not specialize are still able to practice in all the areas of dentistry in which they are qualified. As is true in general dentistry, completion of an advanced degree does not allow specialists to stop the learning process. Academies and boards related to each specialty and discipline promote and support further academic and clinical achievement.

Further information on each dental specialty can be obtained by visiting the websites noted in the References.

Dental Public Health

Dental Public Health deals with public preventive education, community treatment programs and applied dental research. It is funded by federal, state and local government agencies, grant-funded programs, private companies and nonprofit private sources such as religious charities or professional associations. The public health dentist has a master's degree in Public and/or Community Health and specializes in working for public and/or private community public health programs. With the oral health of the U.S. and other countries being deficient due to access to care issues, public health personnel are needed to promote oral health, disease prevention and education.

Federally funded public dental health programs originate in the Cabinet of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979
Department of Health and Human Services, HHS
 (HHS HHS Department of Health and Human Services. ), Office of the Secretary, Administration for Children and Families The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, which from 2001 to 2007 was Dr. Wade F. Horn. , Administration on Aging The Administration on Aging (AoA) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. AoA awards annual grants (computed by formulas) to State government agencies on aging and Native American tribal organizations to support programs mandated by the Congress , Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry The United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, (ATSDR) is an agency for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is directed by a congressional mandate to perform specific functions concerning the effect on public health of hazardous , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , Food and Drug Administration, Center for Medicare Services, Health Resources and Services Administration The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services whose goal is to improve access to health care for those without insurance. , Indian Health Service The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an Operating Division (OPDIV) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. , National Institutes of Health, Program Support Center and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), was established in 1992 by the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act (Pub. L. No. 102-321). . (4) Other federally funded public health programs originate in the Cabinet Department of Defense, Cabinet Department of Veterans Affairs (hospitals) and the Cabinet Department of Justice (Bureau of Prisons).

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD AAPHD American Association of Public Health Dentistry ) is the nonprofit organization that provides CDE to the dental profession and resource information for the consumer public. (5) The American Board of Dental Public Health certifies the Diplomats in public health.

Endodontics

Endodontics deals with the morphology, physiology, pathology, etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the pulpal and periapical tissues. The American Association of Endodontists The American Association of Endodontists, or AAE, is an American professional association of endodontists founded in Chicago in 1943. 95% of American endodontists are members, and the AAE also welcomes members from other countries.  (AAE AAE American Association of Endodontists. ) promotes the specialty of endodontics with research, highest standard of care and providing continuing education courses. (6) The AAE sponsors the American Board of Endodontics (ABE) to certify members as Diplomats. An ABE Diplomat has demonstrated skill and passed an examination administered by a panel of peers.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Oral and maxillofacial pathology deals with the etiology, diagnosis, management and research of diseases that affect the maxillofacial structures. The oral pathologist may serve the public, military, dental and medical professions, hospitals, and dental and medical schools. Oral pathologists support oral surgeons, ear, nose and throat physicians and military ships. Additionally, there is a forensic side to oral pathology. There are two main divisions in pathology--clinical pathology and anatomic pathology. Clinical pathology is the analysis of body fluids. Anatomic pathology is the analysis of tissues.

The American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology represents the specialty and maintains a list of Diplomats of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology (ABOMP). (7) A Diplomat has completed the requirements for certification.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and maxillofacial radiology deals with the production and interpretation of images created by radiant energy to diagnose and manage diseases that affect the maxillofacial region. The American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR AAOMR American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology ) promotes radiology in dentistry by conducting annual scientific meetings, sponsoring a scientific journal, publishing a newsletter, and issuing position statements. (8) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR) certifies Diplomats and audits compliance with continuing education recertification recertification Recredentialing Graduate education A process in which a professional is periodically re-evaluated–eg, every 10 yrs by an accrediting body to assure continued provision of safe, high-quality health care .

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is a recognized international surgical specialty.
  • In the U.S.A.


Oral and maxillofacial surgery deals with the diagnosis, surgical repair of injuries, defects and diseases of the maxillofacial region. Oral surgeons treat patients in hospitals, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and in private dental offices. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the non-profit professional association serving the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the surgical arm of dentistry.  (AAOMS AAOMS American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons ) is the nonprofit professional association for oral surgeons whose mission is to provide the standards of the specialty. (9) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS ABOMS American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ) is the specialty board responsible for the oral and maxillofacial surgery certification process. A Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
A dentist who is trained to perform surgery to correct injuries, defects, or conditions of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face.

Mentioned in: Jaw Wiring
 has completed a residency program.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the area of dental practice that corrects malaligned teeth and jaws. The American Association of Orthodontists The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, is an American advocate group for orthodontists. Most American orthodontists, about 95 percent, are members. They are also dentists and are members of the American Dental Association.  (AAO AAO American Association of Orthodontists; American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Academy of Otolaryngology; American Academy of Osteopathy.
AAO 
) is the nonprofit organization representing this specialty. (10) The American Board of Orthodontists (ABO ABO

See: Accumulated Benefit Obligation
) is responsible for certifying orthodontists with the title Diplomat.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry deals with the treatment of children. Pediatric pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children.

pe·di·at·ric
adj.
Of or relating to pediatrics.
 dentists practice an advanced level of care for children in private offices, clinics, and hospital settings after completing two to three years postgraduate study in child psychology, growth and development. They are qualified to care for patients of any age with special needs such as medical, physical, or mental disabilities. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) represents this specialty. (11) The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) certifies the Diplomats.

Periodontics

Periodontics deals with prevention, diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of the supporting structures of the teeth using preventive, surgical and nonsurgical techniques. The American Academy of Periodontology American Academy of Periodontology (AAP),
n.pr a nonprofit professional association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the periodontium and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
 (AAP AAP - Association of American Publishers ) represents this specialty. (12) The American Board of Periodontology periodontology,
n See periodontics.
 (ABP 1. (networking) ABP - Alternating bit protocol.
2. ABP - Microsoft Address Book Provider.
) certifies the Diplomats.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the area of dental practice that replaces lost maxillofacial structures with fixed or removable prosthetic devices. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP (Associate Computing Professional) The award for successful completion of an examination in computers offered by the ICCP. It is geared to newcomers in the computing field. For more information, visit www.iccp.org.

ACP - Algebra of Communicating Processes
) is the ADA-recognized organization for prosthodontics. (13) The American Board of Prosthodontics certifies the knowledge, skills and attributes of Diplomats.

DENTAL DISCIPLINES

There are other disciplines of dentistry where additional knowledge can be sought to add more scope and dimension to dental practice (Figure 2). Currently, these areas of dentistry may not be officially recognized as a viable dental treatment or as a dental specialty but are recognized as requiring additional training and education. In the future, once requirements of ADA's "Recognition of Dental Specialists" are met, they may be added to the list of recognized dental specialties. The general practitioner can gain advanced information in the disciplines to use when treating a particular type of patient, such as the physically challenged or sensory impaired.
Figure 2: Dental Disciplines

Complementary and Alternative
  Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Forensic Dentistry
High Tech Dentistry
Implants
Oral Anesthesiology
Oral Medicine
Sports Dentistry
Temporomandibular Joint
  Disorder


Alternative and Complementary Dentistry

Complementary and alternative therapy is the discipline of dentistry in which nontraditional practices and methods are used to treat chronic health problems. Allopathy allopathy /al·lop·a·thy/ (al-op´ah-the) that system of therapeutics in which diseases are treated by producing a condition incompatible with or antagonistic to the condition to be cured or alleviated. Cf. homeopathy.  is the system of using antagonists to cause a reaction that produces a different biological condition. A simple example of this is to cure fever by cooling the patient. Naturopathy naturopathy /na·tur·op·a·thy/ (na?cher-op´ah-the) a drugless system of health care, using a wide variety of therapies, including hydrotherapy, heat, massage, and herbal medicine, whose purpose is to treat the whole person to stimulate  is the system of using health restoration to allow the natural healing process. Homeopathy homeopathy (hōmēŏp`əthē), system of medicine whose fundamental principle is the law of similars—that like is cured by like.  is the system of using repeated single or daily doses of plant extract or mineral that produce similar symptoms of the disease in order to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. The Holistic Dental Association (HDA) is available on the Internet for information on complementary and alternative therapy in dentistry. (14) (Ed. Note: For a thorough discussion of "Alternative Medicine in Dentistry" see ADAA Course #0112, Coyright [c] 2001, also authored by Esther K. Andrews.)

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry deals with the aesthetics of dental treatment. The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED) is linked with prosthodontics. (15)

Forensic Dentistry

There is an adage in forensics: "Teeth are the first to go in life, the last to go in death." Forensic odontology odontology /odon·tol·o·gy/ (o?don-tol´ah-je)
1. scientific study of the teeth.

2. dentistry.


o·don·tol·o·gy
n.
 is the application of dental science to identify postmortem human remains for legal purposes. Most cadavers are easily identified. Most postmortem identifications are done by:

1. Visual inspection.

2. Dental comparisons.

3. Fingerprint matching.

4. DNA testing.

The American Society of Forensic Odontology (ASFO) is the organization of forensic dentistry that is open to all individuals and serves as a liaison with other forensic disciplines. (16) The American Academy of Forensic Sciences The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is a professional society for people in all areas of forensics.

For nearly sixty years, the AAFS has served a distinguished and diverse membership.
 (AAFS) represents 10 areas of forensic specialties and is dedicated to the application of forensic science to the law. To become certified by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the dentist must meet its many requirements. (17)

The American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO) is comprised of forensic experts and certifies the Diplomats. (18)

Geriatric Dentistry

Geriatric dentists treat the elderly. Information on geriatrics is available from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979
Health and Human Services, HHS
. (4)

High Tech Dentistry

High tech dentists use the latest technological advances in dentistry. Lasers, air abrasion units, enhanced computer programs and digital radiography are examples of current technologies used in dental practices today. The American Academy of Laser Dentistry is an international organization dedicated to laser dentistry training, use and research in the safe use of all laser wavelengths. (19)

Implants

Implantodontics deals with the prosthetic and surgical aspects of implant dentistry. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (MID) strives to advance the practice of implant dentistry through education, credentialing and advocacy for consumers and practitioners. (20) AAID AAID American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  members primarily insert root-form implants, but may provide all implant modalities.

Oral Anesthesiology

Oral anesthesiology is the area of dental practice that controls pain and anxiety. The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA) represents dentists with an interest in local anesthesia for pain management and sedative medications for anxiety control to help make dental care more pleasant. (21)

The American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists (ASDA) represents a group of dentists who have completed two years of advanced training in anesthesiology in hospital operating room and ambulatory anesthesia to assist the planning, implementation and management of anesthesia. (22)

Oral Medicine

Oral medicine deals with the oral health care of medically compromised patients. This includes both diagnosing and treating the oral manifestations of systemic disease. The Academy of Oral Medicine strives to promote education, research and patient care to improve the quality of life of patients with medical disorders and with oral and maxillofacial disorders. (23) The Academy sponsors the American Board of Oral Medicine (ABOM), which certifies candidates who have completed the educational requirements.

Sports Dentistry

Sports dentistry deals with the prevention and management of oral and maxillofacial sport injuries. Since 13%-39% of sports injuries are dental related, protection of orofacial structures is important. Accidents, unintentional injury and intentional injury to the head and neck can damage the body as a result of exposure to thermal, electrical, mechanical or chemical energy or from the absence of oxygen. The Academy of Sports Dentistry represents this discipline. (24)

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Temporomandibular joint disorder
Inflammation, irritation, and pain of the jaw caused by improper opening and closing of the temporomandibular joint. Other symptoms include clicking of the jaw and a limited range of motion.

Mentioned in: Biofeedback


Temporomandibular joint (TMJ TMJ
abbr.
temporomandibular joint syndrome


Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)
Pain and other symptoms affecting the head, jaw, and face that are caused when the jaw joints and muscles controlling them don't work
) dysfunction is the improper functioning of the jaw joint where the mandible attaches to the temporal bone of the skull. The American Academy of Orofacial Pain seeks to improve the treatment of orofacial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Definition

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is the name given to a group of symptoms that cause pain in the head, face, and jaw.
 by promoting the exchange of scientific information. (25)

SUMMARY

Knowledge of the disciplines of dentistry is needed for the dental assistant to properly communicate with the patient, insurance companies, labs and medical offices. It also helps the dental assistant identify workplace settings. It is the responsibility of the dental assistant to become familiar with these subject areas in order to better communicate with patients about their treatment. While it is nearly impossible to know the details of all of the thousands of dental procedures performed on patients, knowledge of the common topic areas helps the dental assistant to provide additional information to the patient.

REFERENCES

(1.) American Dental Association: www.ada.org

(2.) Academy of General Dentistry: www.agd.org

(3.) American Board of General Dentistry: www.abgd.org

(4.) U.S. Dept of HHS: www.hhs.gov

(5.) American Academy of Public Health Dentistry: www.aaphd.org

(6.) American Academy of Endodontics: www.aae.org

(7.) American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: www.aaomp.org

(8.) American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: www.aaomr.org

(9.) American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: www.aaoms.org

(10.) American Association of Orthodontists: www.aaortho.org

(11.) American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: www.aapd.org

(12.) American Academy of Periodontology: www.perio.org

(13.) American College of Prosthodontists: www.prosthodontics.org

(14.) Holistic Dental Association: www.simwell.com/hda

(15.) American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry: www.estheticacademy.org

(16.) American Society of Forensic Odontology: www.abfo.org

(17.) American Academy of Forensic Science: www.aafs.org

(18.) American Board of Forensic Odontology: www.abfo.org

(19.) American Academy of Laser Dentistry: www.laserdentistry.org

(20.) American Academy of Implant Dentistry: www.aaid-implant.org

(21.) American Dental Society of Anesthesiology: www.adsahome.org

(22.) American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists: www.asdahq.org

(23.) American Academy of Oral Medicine: www.aaom.com

(24.) Academy of Sports Dentistry: www.acadsportsdent.org

(25.) American Academy of Orofacial Pain: www.aaop.org

Test Questions: Specialized Dentistry

Please note: There is an administrative fee of $8 to cover a portion of grading and publication costs. This fee MUST accompany the test when it is submitted for grading. Use answer sheet opposite. APPROVED FOR TWO CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS--ADAA Members Only

1. When does the general dentist refer a patient to a dental specialist?

A. When the patient requests a referral

B. When the patient's case is complicated or unusual

C. When the insurance company refuses to pay for general dentistry

D. When the dentist has earned a Fellowship

E. When the dentist is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry

2. What is the purpose of the Academy of General Dentistry?

A. To administer and control general dentistry membership in professional associations

B. To provide an alternative choice for association membership

C. To legislate general dentistry

D. To provide continuing education

E. To regulate alternative therapy extracts and serums

3. All of the following are alternative therapy systems EXCEPT one. Which of the following is the EXCEPTION?

A. Neuropathy

B. Homeopathy

C. Allopathy

D. Naturopathy

4. The Fellowship award of the AGD is the minimum requirement for membership. The Mastership award is the highest level of achievement for a general dentist.

A. The first statement is true, and the second statement false.

B. The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

C. Both statements are true.

D. Both statements are false.

5. The ADA document "Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialists" describes the process for specialty status recognition. This allows specialty dental procedures to become the standard of care.

A. Both the statement and reason are correct and related.

B. Both the statement and reason are correct but not related.

C. The statement is correct but the reason is not.

D. The statement is not correct but the reason is accurate.

E. Neither the statement nor reason is correct.

6. All of the following are practice settings for public health dentistry EXCEPT one. Which of the following is the EXCEPTION?

A. Federal prisons

B. Veterans' hospitals

C. Indian Health Service clinics

D. Military bases

E. Private dental practices

7. What is the difference between an oral pathologist and an oral medicine specialist?

A. Oral pathologists study body fluids or tissue samples. Oral medicine specialists are concerned with treating the oral manifestations of systemic disease.

B. Oral medicine specialists study body fluids or tissue samples. Oral pathologists are concerned with treating the oral manifestations of systemic disease.

8. How are public and community health programs funded?

A. Federal, state, local taxes

B. Nonprofit organization donations

C. Private donations

D. Religious affiliation donations

E. All of the above

9. Which of the following defines oral and maxillofacial radiology?

A. Using nontraditional practices

B. Identifying postmortem remains for legal purposes

C. Interpreting radiant energy images

D. Analyzing body fluids

10. Which of the following disciplines is linked with the American College of Prosthodontics?

A. Oral medicine

B. Cosmetic dentistry

C. Forensics

D. Anesthesiology

11. All of the following forensic practices are used for postmortem identification EXCEPT one. Which of the following is the EXCEPTION?

A. DNA DNA: see nucleic acid.
DNA
 or deoxyribonucleic acid

One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes.
 sampling

B. Location of human remains

C. Dental records

D. Fingerprint matching

12. Oral anesthesiology concerns the control of pain and anxiety. The dental anesthesiologist must complete at least two years of advanced training.

A. The first statement is true, and the second statement false.

B. The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

C. Both statements are true.

D. Both statements are false.

13. All of the following are high tech dental practices EXCEPT one. Which of the following is the EXCEPTION?

A. Computerized dental accounting

B. Lasers

C. Air abrasion

D. Digital radiography

14. Which of the following is NOT recognized as a dental specialty by the ADA?

A. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

B. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

C. Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine

D. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

15. To which recognized specialty would you refer a patient who needed to have a mandibular molar uprighted before a fixed bridge could be placed?

A. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

B. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

C. Cosmetic Dentistry

D. High Tech Dentistry

ADAA Test Answer Sheet

Specialized Dentistry

Approved for TWO continuing education credits.

Only current ADAA members are eligible to take this course for continuing education credit. Tests submitted by nonmembers will not be graded or returned. Tests not accompanied by a payment of $8 and a self-addressed stamped envelope A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), or just stamped addressed envelope (SAE) in the UK, is often just that: an envelope with the sender's name and address on it, with affixed paid postage and mailed to a company or private individual.  will not be graded or returned.

Name: --

Address: --

City, State, Zip: --

Daytime Telephone Number: (--) e-mail: --

ADAA Membership Number: --

[] Check or money order for $8 enclosed

[] Self-addressed stamped envelope enclosed.

"DANB Approval" indicates that a continuing education course appears to meet certain specifications as described in the DANB Recertification Guidelines. DANB does not, however, endorse or recommend any particular continuing education course and is not responsible for the quality of any course content.

Esther K. Andrews holds a Master of Arts Master of Arts
Noun

a degree, usually postgraduate in a nonscientific subject, or a person holding this degree

Noun 1. Master of Arts - a master's degree in arts and sciences
Artium Magister, MA, AM
 from Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the first state agricultural college.  and a Bachelor of Science Noun 1. Bachelor of Science - a bachelor's degree in science
BS, SB

bachelor's degree, baccalaureate - an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies
, and Associate of Applied Science, from Ferris State University Ferris State University consists of eight colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Optometry, Pharmacy, Technology, and Kendall College of Art and Design. Ferris grants doctorate degrees via its Optometry and Pharmacy colleges. , Big Rapids, MI. Currently she is adjunct professor, Periodontics Department, University of Illinois-Chicago, lecturer of Dental Hygiene at Kennedy King College, Chicago, and practices dental hygiene. Her international experience includes establishing the German Summer Institute, Old Dominion University “ODU” redirects here. For other uses, see ODU (disambiguation).

The university was recently named one of the best colleges in the Southeast by The Princeton Review.
, Norfolk, VA, and developing the dental auxiliary curriculum for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, University of Kentucky Coordinates:  The University of Kentucky, also referred to as UK, is a public, co-educational university located in Lexington, Kentucky. .
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Title Annotation:Free Course
Author:Andrews, Esther K.
Publication:The Dental Assistant
Date:Sep 1, 2003
Words:4015
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