Dentists are formally called “Doctor” and hold one of two professional degrees: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Despite the different names, these degrees are clinically identical. Dental schools in the U.S. award both, and there are no differences in admissions standards, accreditation, or licensing requirements between them. The distinction is purely historical: the DDS evolved from the surgical roots of the profession, while the DMD grew from its medical roots.
Beyond that basic title, dentistry has 12 officially recognized specialties, each with its own name. The specific title a dental professional uses depends on whether they practice general dentistry or completed additional years of residency training in a focused area.
General Dentist vs. Specialist
A general dentist is the provider most people see for routine care: cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and screenings for oral disease. They can diagnose conditions, create treatment plans, and perform a wide range of procedures. After completing a four-year doctoral program (earning a DDS or DMD), a general dentist is licensed to practice without additional residency training.
Specialists, by contrast, complete two to three additional years of residency in a specific area after dental school. They focus on a narrower set of conditions or patient populations and typically see patients referred by a general dentist.
The 12 Recognized Dental Specialties
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties currently recognizes 12 specialties. Here are the ones you’re most likely to encounter, along with what each specialist does.
Orthodontist
An orthodontist straightens teeth and corrects bite alignment using braces, clear aligners, and other appliances. The full specialty name is orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, which means they also guide jaw growth in younger patients. Becoming an orthodontist requires two to three years of residency training beyond dental school.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Often just called an oral surgeon, this specialist handles surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and face. That includes wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma repair, and removal of cysts or tumors. Oral surgeons also have extensive training in anesthesia, so they can provide deep sedation or general anesthesia in their offices. Some pursue fellowship training that expands their scope into head and neck cancer surgery, cleft and craniofacial repair, and facial cosmetic procedures.
Endodontist
The prefix “endo” means inside, and “dont” means tooth. An endodontist specializes in treating the interior of the tooth, specifically the pulp and root canal system. If you need a root canal, especially a complex one, you’ll likely be referred to an endodontist. They focus on diagnosing and relieving tooth pain caused by infection or damage deep within the tooth structure.
Periodontist
A periodontist focuses on the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. They treat gum disease (periodontal disease), particularly advanced cases that go beyond what a general dentist manages. Periodontists also place dental implants and perform bone and soft tissue grafting procedures to rebuild structures lost to disease.
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist specializes in replacing and restoring damaged or missing teeth. Their work includes crowns, bridges, full and partial dentures, dental implants, and custom restorations like inlays and onlays. If a tooth is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough to need a full crown, a prosthodontist can create a custom piece that fits into the remaining tooth structure. They also make oral splints and night guards for jaw disorders and sleep apnea.
Pediatric Dentist
A pediatric dentist (sometimes called a pedodontist, though that term is less common now) provides oral health care for infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Pediatric dentistry is an age-defined specialty, meaning the training centers on the developmental, behavioral, and medical considerations specific to younger patients rather than a particular type of procedure.
Other Specialties
The remaining recognized specialties are less commonly encountered by the average patient but serve important roles:
- Dental anesthesiology: focused on sedation and pain management during dental procedures
- Dental public health: focused on community-level oral health policy and prevention
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: diagnosing diseases of the mouth and jaw through lab analysis
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: interpreting imaging of the head, neck, and jaw
- Oral medicine: managing complex medical conditions that affect the mouth
- Orofacial pain: treating chronic pain conditions involving the face, jaw, and mouth
Dental Degree Titles Outside the U.S.
In the United Kingdom, dentists earn a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, abbreviated as BDS or BChD. This is a five-year undergraduate program (or four years for graduates who already hold a science degree). Despite being called a “bachelor’s” degree rather than a doctorate, it is the standard qualifying degree for dental practice in the UK. The naming difference reflects the structure of higher education in each country, not a difference in clinical competence.
Other Professionals in a Dental Office
Not everyone you meet at a dental office is a dentist. Two other roles are common, and they have distinct titles and responsibilities.
A dental hygienist works with patients one-on-one to provide preventive care. They remove plaque, tartar, and stains, apply sealants and fluoride treatments, take and interpret X-rays, and screen for conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Hygienists also spend a significant portion of each appointment educating patients on brushing, flossing, and nutrition.
A dental assistant supports the dentist during procedures, prepares exam rooms and instruments, takes X-rays, manages infection control, and helps patients feel comfortable before and after treatment. They also handle administrative tasks like checking patients in and managing supplies. The key distinction is that dentists make official diagnoses and treatment plans, hygienists perform preventive clinical care, and assistants provide procedural and logistical support.