§30-4-8a. Dental specialties.

(a) The Board of Dentistry may issue a dental specialty license authorizing a dentist to represent himself or herself to the public as a specialist, and to practice as a specialist, upon proper application and fee for each specialty and as provided pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(b) A dentist may not represent himself or herself to the public as a specialist, nor practice as a specialist, unless the individual:

(1) Has successfully completed a board-recognized dental specialty/advanced education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation;

(2) Holds a general dental license in this state; and

(3) Has completed any additional requirements set forth in state law or rules and has been issued a dental specialty license by the board.

(c) Specialties recognized by the board and the educational requirements for obtaining a specialty license shall include:

(1) Dental public health. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of one full-time academic year of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(2) Endodontics. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(3) Oral and maxillofacial surgery. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of three full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(4) Oral and maxillofacial radiology. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time years of at least eight calendar months each, of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(5) Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency. In addition, any applicant for an orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic specialty certificate shall submit verification of successful completion of the American Board of Orthodontics written examination.

(6) Pediatric dentistry. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(7) Periodontics. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(8) Prosthodontics. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(9) Oral pathology. — In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years of at least eight calendar months, each of graduate or post-graduate education, internship, or residency.

(10) Dental anesthesiology. – In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, through (1) a graduate or post-graduation education; (2) an internship; or (3) a residency. Each full-time academic year must have consisted of at least eight calendar months.

(11) Oral medicine. – In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, through (1) a graduate or post-graduation education; (2) an internship; or (3) a residency. Each full-time academic year must have consisted of at least eight calendar months.

(12) Orofacial pain. – In order to qualify for this specialty, the licensee shall have successfully completed a minimum of two full-time academic years, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, through (1) a graduate or post-graduation education; (2) an internship; or (3) a residency. Each full-time academic year must have consisted of at least eight calendar months.

(d) The licensee shall limit his or her practice of dentistry only to the specialty or specialties in which he or she is licensed and in which he or she holds himself or herself out to the public as a specialist.

(e) If a licensee lists his or her services in a telephone directory or on the internet, then the licensee shall only list those specialties in which he or she practices in his or her office or offices.

(f) The limitation of practice is removed for purposes of volunteering services in organized health clinics and at charitable events.