Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law
Definition of Dentistry
Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law. (As adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates)
DDS/DMD Definitions
DDS — doctor of dental surgery
DMD — doctor of dental medicine
Indicates the degree awarded upon graduation from dental school to become a general dentist. There is no difference between the two degrees; dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities have the prerogative to determine what degree is awarded. Both degrees use the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Interest Areas in General Dentistry
An interest area in general dentistry is a well-defined body of evidence-based scientific and clinical knowledge underlying general dentistry, but is a more focused, complex and distinct field identified by advanced knowledge, techniques and procedures. Interest areas in general dentistry must meet the specified Criteria for Recognition of Interest Areas in General Dentistry in order to be formally recognized by the American Dental Association.
Criteria for Recognition of Interest Areas in General Dentistry
The American Dental Association believes that the public is best served if the profession is oriented primarily to general practice. However, the public and profession benefits substantially when interest areas are developed and advanced through education, practice and research.
Today’s rapidly emerging technologies and science are providing more sophisticated and complex solutions to problems encountered in general dentistry. The advances are changing and enhancing the dental practice environment. Recognizing this, the 2010 ADA House of Delegates adopted Criteria for Recognition of Interest Areas in General Dentistry.
The ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure developed a process, including an application form, to consider requests for recognizing interest areas in general dentistry. Such a request would be submitted to the Council and ultimately acted on by the ADA House of Delegates. If the request were approved, the general dentistry interest area could request that the Commission on Dental Accreditation develop accreditation standards and initiate an accreditation process for advanced education programs in the general dentistry interest area.
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