This page is dedicated to providing the key definitions and specializations offered by the dental profession. Most dental procedures can be provided by the general dentist, however, if your general dentist feels special expertise is necessary for your treatment, he or she may refer you to a specialist.

With the exception of Orthodontics, Dr. Woodward offers comprehensive services in all the areas of dentistry defined on this page. For more information about the definitions listed below, please visit the American Dental Association's website at: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/links.asp.

Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (non-surgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial [mouth, jaw or face] 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)

There are overlapping responsibilities among the recognized areas of dental practice. However, as a matter of principle, a specialist shall not routinely provide procedures that are beyond the scope of his specialty. (Approved May 1976 by the Council on Dental Education and Licensure, American Dental Association)

Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. (Adopted May 1976)

Plainly defined, Endodontics deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injuries of the internal soft tissue of the tooth (root canals). The official definition follows:

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular [below the gum] tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology [cause], diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions. (Adopted December 1983)

In a nutshell, this specialty treats injuries and deformities, extracts teeth and performs surgery of the mouth, jaw and face.

Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations. (Adopted May 1991)

X-Rays and other investigative technologies are employed by dentists to accurately diagnose and treat oral diseases.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted April 2001)

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted October 1990)

Simply stated, Orthodontics prescribes and places corrective devices, such as braces, to align teeth and improve health and appearance. The orthodontic specialty is defined by the ADA as follows:

Orthodontics is that area of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance and correction of the growing or mature dentofacial structures, including those conditions that require movement of teeth or correction of malrelationships and malformations of their related structures and the adjustment of relationships between and among teeth and facial bones by the application of forces and/or the stimulation and redirection of functional forces within the craniofacial complex. Major responsibilities of orthodontic practice include the diagnosis, prevention, interception and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding structures; the design, application and control of functional and corrective appliances; and the guidance of the dentition and its supporting structures to attain and maintain optimum occlusal [bite-fitting] relations in physiologic and esthetic harmony among facial and cranial structures. (Definition Adopted December 1980; Designation Adopted October 1994)

Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. (Adopted 1995)

Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth [i.e., gums] or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues. (Adopted December 1992)

Just as the medical profession uses prosthetics to replace lost limbs, Prosthodontics is the art and science of designing and fitting bridge-work and dentures to restore a patient's smile.

Prosthodontics is that branch of dentistry pertaining to the restoration and maintenance of oral functions, comfort, appearance and health of the patient by the restoration of natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth and contiguous oral and maxillofacial tissues with artificial substitutes. (Adopted May 1976)

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.

The dentist is responsible and accountable for everything that goes on in the dental office. Only the licensed dentist is educated and trained to diagnose dental problems, plan treatment or prescribe medication. As long as the licensed dentist supervises, certain phases of dental treatment may be delegated to other members of the dental team.

The dental hygienist cleans teeth and performs other functions under the direction and supervision of a licensed dentist. There are two categories of dental hygienist:

Under the supervision of the licensed dentist, the job of the dental assistant is to help the dentist at chairside, take x-rays, and perform other support functions. There are three categories of dental assistant:

Very often, the "receptionist" is really the Office Manager of the dental practice, responsible generally for greeting you at the office, making your appointments, processing your insurance information and serving as an information source for any questions you have about the office, such as special hours or policies.