Dental Specialists around the country
What can Dentists Specialise in?
Dentists can specialise in thirteen different subjects including orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and paediatric dentistry. The thirteen subjects are those approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). Dentists can practise all of the specialty subjects, but will only be recognised as a specialist after a rigorous set of training requirements and examinations set by the GDC.
What do you have to do to become a Specialist?
A dentist’s first degree does nothing more than allow them to practise dentistry in the UK. They then have to do a postgraduate degree in general professional training. These two degrees are the minimum qualification dentists in London will have. To become a specialist, there are several more dental courses they need to complete. Generally it is necessary for them to get a Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and then a further 3-5 years of specialist training and study. It is only on successful completion of all these years of study and practise that a dentist can be put on the GDC’s list of specialists.
Why Have Specialists?
For dentists, specialties are important because it means they will be recognised as one of the best in the country for certain dental jobs, which also often means they can charge more for their superior skills. For the general public, having a list of specialists and a rigid structure of training and examination to get onto it means that dentists cannot mislead you with false claims. You always have the right to ask your dentist to show you evidence of their qualifications, so you can be sure that you are getting the best quality treatment.
Tags: Dental Specialists, Surgery