A general dentist is not considered a specialist. About 79% of dentists in the United States are general practitioners, and the remaining 21% hold specialty designations that require additional years of training beyond dental school. The distinction matters for your care, your costs, and how dentists are legally allowed to describe themselves.
What Makes a Dentist a Specialist
Every dentist earns either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. These two degrees are identical in curriculum and scope, and neither one makes someone a specialist. The difference is simply which title the dental school chooses to award.
To become a specialist, a dentist must complete a post-graduate residency program in a specific field after finishing dental school. These residencies range from two to six years depending on the specialty. An endodontist (root canal specialist), for example, completes a two-year residency. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon trains for four years, or six years if they also earn a medical degree alongside their surgical certificate. After residency, specialists can pursue board certification by passing written, oral, and practical exams that demonstrate mastery of their field.
The 12 Recognized Dental Specialties
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, which operates under the American Dental Association, recognizes 12 specialties. Some you’ve likely encountered, and others work behind the scenes in hospital and academic settings:
- Orthodontics: braces, aligners, and correction of bite problems
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: tooth extractions, jaw surgery, facial trauma repair
- Endodontics: root canals and treatment of tooth pulp
- Pediatric dentistry: dental care for infants through adolescents, including children with special health needs
- Periodontics: treatment of gum disease and placement of dental implants
- Prosthodontics: crowns, bridges, dentures, and full-mouth reconstruction
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: diagnosing diseases of the mouth, jaw, and face
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: interpreting dental and facial imaging
- Dental public health: community-level prevention and disease control
- Dental anesthesiology: sedation and pain management during dental procedures
- Oral medicine: dental care for patients with complex medical conditions
- Orofacial pain: diagnosis and treatment of chronic jaw, face, and head pain
If a dentist hasn’t completed an approved residency in one of these 12 fields, they are a general dentist, regardless of how much experience they have in a particular area.
Why the Label Is Legally Protected
The word “specialist” isn’t just a casual description. State dental boards regulate who can and can’t use it. In New Jersey, for instance, a general dentist who offers services like orthodontics or implant placement must identify themselves as “General Dentist” in all advertising. They cannot use the words “specialist,” “specialty,” “specializing,” or even “practice limited to” unless they hold a specialty permit from the state board. This rule exists to prevent confusion: a general dentist may perform some of the same procedures a specialist does, but they haven’t completed the same level of focused training.
Most states have similar advertising restrictions, though the exact wording varies. The core principle is consistent nationwide. If a dentist calls themselves a specialist, they should have the residency training and credentials to back it up.
What a General Dentist Can Do
General dentists function like primary care doctors for your mouth. They handle cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum care, screenings for oral cancer, and many other procedures that cover the vast majority of what patients need. Many general dentists also place implants, perform cosmetic work, or offer basic orthodontic treatment like clear aligners. The scope of what a general dentist provides has widened significantly with advances in technology and continuing education.
The key difference is depth, not necessarily quality. A general dentist trains broadly across all areas of dentistry, while a specialist spends years focused on one narrow field. For straightforward cases, your general dentist is fully equipped. For complex or unusual situations, that extra training matters.
When You’d Be Referred to a Specialist
Your general dentist acts as a gatekeeper, much like a primary care physician who refers you to a cardiologist or orthopedic surgeon when needed. Common reasons for referral include impacted wisdom teeth or complicated extractions (oral surgeon), complex root canals on teeth with unusual anatomy (endodontist), significant bite problems or jaw growth issues (orthodontist), and advanced gum disease that hasn’t responded to initial treatment (periodontist).
There’s no universal rule requiring referral at a specific threshold. It comes down to clinical judgment. A general dentist who performs a procedure regularly and feels confident in the outcome may handle it themselves. When the complexity exceeds their training or comfort level, they refer. Some insurance plans also require a referral from a general dentist before covering specialist visits, similar to how medical insurance sometimes works with primary care physicians and specialists.
How This Affects Your Insurance and Costs
Dental insurance plans often distinguish between general and specialist visits. Specialist care typically costs more, both in the fees charged and in how insurance applies its coverage. Some plans cover a higher percentage of general dentistry services than specialist services, and some require pre-authorization for specialist treatment. If your general dentist can competently handle a procedure that would otherwise go to a specialist, you may save money staying in their chair. But for genuinely complex cases, the specialist’s focused training can prevent complications that would cost far more in the long run.
If you’re ever unsure whether the dentist you’re seeing is a general practitioner or a specialist, check their credentials. Their office should clearly state their designation, and you can verify specialty status through your state dental board’s online directory.