Fields of Speciality Explained

There are 13 Recognised Specialist fields of dentistry in Australia according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners/Specialties-and-Specialty-Fields.aspx

https://www.ada.org.au/Find-a-Dentist

Find below an explanation of the various highly skilled fields in this essential part of our Australian wellbeing:

  • Dento-maxillofacial radiology
  • Endodontics
  • Forensic odontology
  • Oral and maxillofacial surgery
  • Oral medicine
  • Oral and maxillofacial pathology
  • Oral surgery
  • Orthodontics
  • Paediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Public health dentistry (community dentistry), and
  • Special needs dentistry.

 

Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology

A Dento-Maxillofacial radiologist, is also known as an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. Once an accredited 3 post graduate program is completed, he can become a dental board registered specialist. These dental specialists are essentially radiologists of the teeth, jaws and face, specialising in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using imaging techniques and studies. maxillofacial means mouth and jaw.

 

Endodontics

Endodontists specialise diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatment. Root Canal Therapy is also known as Endodontic Treatment. The main purpose of endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) is to remove the diseased pulp, clean and shape the root canal system, disinfect the contaminated root canals, and then fill the root canal system to prevent re-infection. Looking

 

Forensic Odontology

Forensic Odontologists work in the Law & Justice field and deal with Dental Evidence in the Court of Law. They provide evidence when required in areas of age estimations of skeletal remains, identification of human remains and bite marks.

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of disorders affecting the facial complex and skeleton. Patients are referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon by both general and specialist dental and medical practitioners. In many instances, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons work specialists such as orthodontists, ear nose and throat surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and oncologists. They can work on oral surgical problems of the mouth, faces and jaws, and facial trauma, oral cancer and salivary gland disease.

 

Oral Medicine

Oral Medicine is the specialty field of dentistry that deals with the assessment, diagnosis, and primarily non-surgical management of conditions affecting the mouth, face, jaws and structures surrounding the mouth. This included Assessment, management of the oral complications of head and neck cancer treatment, including pre-radiotherapy dental assessments.

 

Oral Pathology

An Oral Pathologist deals with the understanding, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial Areas. By using a range of clinical analysis techniques to understand the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases.

 

Orthodontics

Orthodontists help with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental and facial irregularities to help correctly align teeth, bites and jaws, including straightening teeth.

 

Paediatric Dentistry

Paediatric Dentists help with preventive and therapeutic oral health care for children from birth through to adolescence, and especially for those with special needs.

 

Periodontics

Periodontics deal with the supporting structures of teeth as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. A Periodontal disease is bleeding gums, gingival recession, bad breath, and build-up of plaque and calculus.

 

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics deal with the cosmetic restoration and replacement of teeth. The planning, surgical placement of implants if their specialty.

 

Public Health Dentistry (community dentistry)

Specialist in public health dentistry

 

Special Needs Dentistry

Special Needs Dentistry is the part of dentistry concerned with the oral health of people adversely affected by intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric issues.