Know your Dental Specialists in the UK

Dentist or General Dental Practitioner

A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree from a University Dental School. You might have noticed some letters after their names such as BDS which stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, LDS, RCS – Licentiate in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, or  D.D.S.  – Doctor of Dental Surgery.  Most dental degree courses take between 4-6 years of study and clinical experience working with patients under supervision. In most countries dentists are called ‘Doctors’ this should not be confused with a General Medical Practitioner who are also given the nursery title of Doctor.

Dentistry has 13 specialties and other supporting professionals that all provide a supporting role in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of dental diseases, disorders and conditions.

What fields can dentists specialise in?

There are 13 specialist lists. Dentists on these lists have been granted entry because they have met certain minimum standards of training. The routes for entry are determined by European and GDC regulations. Search on the General Dental Council website

The Specialist Lists

Orthodontics

The development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite and jaw.  The typical training pathway usually takes at about ten years. The career pathway starts with a degree in dentistry followed by about two years of vocational training and then a further full time Specialist Orthodontic training at a recognised Specialist Dental School for three years. This combined study and supervised clinical work in a university hospital leads to a specialist orthodontic qualification and a listing on the General Dental Council’s specialist register.  The typical qualification in the UK is M.Orth. RCS.

The speciality of orthodontics

Endodontics

The cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the tooth root, dental pulp, and surrounding tissue. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which focuses on the morphology, physiology, and pathology of the dental pulp and its surrounding tissues. Endodontists understand the etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the internal part of the teeth.

Periodontics

The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders (infections and inflammatory) of the gums and other structures around the teeth.  A periodontist is a dental specialist with expertise in diagnosing, preventing and treating gum disease. A Periodontist specialises in the diagnosis and surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the supporting structures of the teeth (periodontium). Periodontists are experts in the management of patients with periodontal diseases including gingivitis, periodontitis and gum recession.

Prosthodontics

The replacement of missing teeth and the associated soft and hard tissues by prostheses (crowns, bridges, dentures) which may be fixed or removable, or may be supported and retained by implants.

Restorative Dentistry

The restoration of diseased, injured, or abnormal teeth to normal function. Includes all aspects of Endodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.

Paediatric Dentistry

Comprehensive therapeutic oral health care for children from birth through adolescence, including care for those who demonstrate intellectual, medical, physical, psychological and/or emotional problems.

Dental Public Health

A non-clinical specialty involving the science and art of preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health to the population rather than the individual. It involves the assessment of dental health needs and ensuring dental services meet those needs.

Oral Surgery

The treatment and ongoing management of irregularities and pathology of the jaw and mouth that require surgical intervention. This includes the specialty previously called Surgical Dentistry.

Oral Medicine

Oral health care of patients with chronic recurrent and medically related disorders of the mouth and with their diagnosis and non-surgical management.

Oral Microbiology

Diagnosis and assessment of facial infection, typically bacterial and fungal disease. This is a clinical specialty undertaken by laboratory-based personnel who provide reports and advice based on interpretation of microbiological samples.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Diagnosis and assessment made from tissue changes characteristic of disease of the oral cavity, jaws and salivary glands. This is a clinical specialty undertaken by laboratory-based personnel.

Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology

Involves all aspects of medical imaging which provide information about anatomy, function and diseased states of the teeth and jaws

Special Care Dentistry

The improvement of the oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of these factors. It pertains to adolescents and adults.

Dental Public Health

A non-clinical specialty involving the science and art of preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health to the population rather than the individual. It involves the assessment of dental health needs and ensuring dental services meet those needs.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a specialist who treats the entire skeletal frame work of the head and neck including the anatomical area of the mouth, jaws, face, skull and other associated structures. They are essentially plastic surgeons specialising on the head and neck. Maxillofacial surgeons are usually initially qualified in dentistry and have undergone further surgical training. Most maxillofacial surgeons have qualifications in dentistry and medicine.  They are now  listed as a speciality within medicine.

Supporting dental team

Dental Nurse

The role of the dental nurse is to assist in the efficient operation of the dental practice. There are many tasks for which the dental nurse is responsible, from preparing and clearing up the surgery, ensuring that hygiene standards are maintained at all times, to taking notes, passing instruments and materials to the clinician and caring for the patient. Dental nurses must be qualified or be in training to register with the General Dental Council. Additional qualifications are available and for dental nurses working in orthodontics the most likely is the Orthodontic Nursing Certificate.

Explore the speciality of orthodontics

Know your Dental Specialists in Malta Regulatory framework & registers

In Malta the main regulator is the Medical Council of Malta (MCM). Among other things it:

  • Maintains the Principal Register for Dental Surgeons (i.e., dentists) and a Temporary Register. The Department+2The Department+2
  • Maintains a Specialist Register for medical & dental specialists. The Department+1
  • Sets requirements and procedures (for full registration, provisional registration, etc) under the Health Care Professions Act, Chapter 464 and the EU Directive 2005/36/EC for recognition of professional qualifications. The Department+1
  • Publishes the registers so members of the public can check a dentist’s registration and any recognised speciality. Government of Malta+1

Basic registration (Dentist)

To practise as a dentist (i.e., a “Dental Surgeon” in Malta) you must be registered with the Medical Council of Malta. Some of the key points:

  • If you have a primary qualification in dental surgery from the University of Malta you may apply for full registration. The Department+1
  • If your qualification is from an EU/EEA country and you are fully registered there, that also enables you to apply. The Department
  • If you are non-EU/EEA qualified you may need to undergo assessment, adaptation period or statutory examination. The Department+1
  • For non-dentists (e.g., dental hygienists, dental technicians) there are separate registers under the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine (CPCM). For example, dental hygienists must meet particular benchmarks. The Council+1

Specialist registration (Dentist)

If a dentist wants to be recognised as a specialist (i.e., holds a recognised dental specialization) then:

  • They must first be fully registered as a dentist in the principal register with the Medical Council. The Department+1
  • The Dental Specialist Accreditation Committee (Malta) (DSAC) is responsible for accrediting specialists and approving training programmes. The Department+1
  • Only certain specialties are recognised under Maltese law for the dental surgeon specialist register: at present twodental specialties are specifically listed:
    1. Oral Surgery
    2. Orthodontics The Department+1
  • Applications for specialist registration must follow specific pathways:
    • Pathway 1: Specialist qualification obtained in Malta.
    • Pathway 2: Specialist registration already in an EU state (mutual recognition).
    • Pathway 3: Specialist qualification listed under the appropriate annex of Directive 2005/36/EC (automatic recognition).
    • Pathway 4: Equivalent specialist qualification which the DSAC assesses on a case-by-case basis (non-automatic recognition). The Department

What the specialties mean & how they differ

Since Malta currently recognises two dental specialities, here’s a little on what they involve and how they differ from “general dentistry”.

General dental surgeon (“Dentist”)

A general dental surgeon (registered dentist) provides the broad scope of dental care: diagnosis, prevention, restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, etc), extractions, sometimes basic endodontics (root-canals), simple surgery, etc. Their training covers general dental surgery.
In Malta there is also a “General Professional Training” programme for dental surgeons to develop general competence after graduation. The Department

Specialist: Oral Surgery

  • Oral Surgery deals with surgical treatments of the mouth, jaws, and related structures. This can include extractions of impacted teeth (e.g., wisdom teeth), surgical removal of pathological lesions, complex maxillofacial procedures (depending on training), implant surgery, etc.
  • A dentist who wants to be recognised in Malta as a specialist in Oral Surgery must complete the specialist training programme (or equivalent) and apply for specialist registration. The Department+1
  • This is distinct from general dentistry in that it involves more advanced surgical training and management of more complex cases.

Specialist: Orthodontics

  • Orthodontics focuses on the diagnosis, prevention and correction of malocclusions and facial/oral irregularities (teeth alignment, jaws, bite problems). Treatments include braces, aligners, orthodontic appliances, and management of growth and development in younger patients.
  • Again, specialist recognition requires appropriate training and accreditation via DSAC in Malta. The Department
  • Unlike a general dentist who might do some minor alignment work, an orthodontic specialist has deeper training and focuses on that specific area.

Things to note / practical tips

  • If you are looking up a dentist in Malta you can check the registers maintained by the Medical Council of Malta. These will list whether the dentist is registered and whether they hold a specialist registration. Government of Malta+1
  • If you are a dentist trained outside Malta (or outside EU/EEA) and you wish to practise in Malta, you should review the “Requirements for Registration – Dental Surgeons” PDF by MCM. The Department
  • For training and pathways: the Dental Training Committee and DSAC oversee the general professional training and specialist programmes. The Department+1
  • For other dental-related professions (hygienists, technicians) there are separate registers and scopes of practice (CPCM) and those have their own requirements (qualifications, language proficiency, supervision). ifdh.org+1
  • The fact that only two dental specialities are recognised (Oral Surgery & Orthodontics) means if a dentist has trained in another sub-specialty (e.g., endodontics, periodontics) they may not have official “specialist registration” status in Malta under the DSAC-list, unless their training is treated as equivalent under Pathway 4. You’d need to check individual cases with DSAC.