SECTION 195:10-9-2. Specialties recognized by the Board and qualifying requirements


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  •   The Board will at its discretion, recognize only those specialties as approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (Title 59 O.S. 328.22). The following specialties are recognized and defined by the Board, and any dentist, must fulfill the listed requirements to be allowed to take the examination.
    (1)   Oral and Maxillofacial surgery.
    (A)   Definition: 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.
    (B)   Requirements: Certificate of satisfactory completion of advanced training program in Oral Surgery approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and in a hospital approved by the Council on Hospital and Institutional Dental Service of the American Dental Association. This training program shall be for a minimum of three (3) years.
    (2)   Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
    (A)   Definition: The diagnosis, prevention, interception and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orafacial structures.
    (B)   Requirements: A minimum of two academic years of graduate training in a school approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (3)   Pediatric Dentistry.
    (A)   Definition: 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.
    (B)   Requirements: Two academic years of graduate study in a school approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (4)   Periodontics.
    (A)   Definition: Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.
    (B)   Requirements: Two academic years of graduate training in Periodontics in a school or other institution approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (5)   Prosthodontics.
    (A)   Definition: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.
    (B)   Requirements: Successful completion of a two (2) year Prosthodontics Specialty Program resulting in a masters degree or certification approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (6)   Endodontics
    (A)   Definition: Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.
    (B)   Requirements: Applicant must be a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics or be certified as having successfully completed at least an eighteen-month graduate training program in endodontics, which is recognized and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the American Association of Endodontists.
    (7)   Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
    (A)   Definition: 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.
    (B)    Requirements:Two years or six quarters of graduate study in a school approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (8)   Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
    (A)   Definition: 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.
    (B)   Requirements: Two years of graduate study in a school approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
    (9)   Dental Public Health
    (A)    Definition: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 concern 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.
    (B)   Requirements: A two-year dental public health program must encompass a minimum of two academic years in duration or a one-year dental public health program must encompass a minimum of twelve (12) months in duration with the applicant's possession of the degree of M.P.H. or a comparable degree. The advanced study program shall be a school approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 1965, eff 6-11-92; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2339, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1224, eff 7-1-06]