1. A. A dentist may advertise as a specialist or use the terms “specialty” or “specialist” to describe professional services only if the dentist limits the dentist’s practice exclusively to one or more specialty area that are:

   1. 1. Recognized by a board that certifies specialists for the area of specialty; and
   2. 2. Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

2. B. The following specialty areas meet the requirements of subsection (A):

   1. 1. Endodontics,
   2. 2. Oral and maxillofacial surgery,
   3. 3. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics,
   4. 4. Pediatric dentistry,
   5. 5. Periodontics,
   6. 6. Prosthodontics,
   7. 7. Dental Public Health,
   8. 8. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, and
   9. 9. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

3. C. For purposes of this Article, a dentist who wishes to advertise as a specialist or a multiple-specialist in a recognized field under subsection (B) shall meet the criteria in one or more of the following categories:

   1. 1. Grandfathered: A dentist who declared a specialty area before December 31, 1964, according to requirements established by the American Dental Association, and has a practice limited to a dentistry area approved by the American Dental Association;
   2. 2. Educationally qualified: A dentist who has successfully completed an educational program of two or more years in a specialty area accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, as specified by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association;

   3. 3. Board eligible: A dentist who has met the guidelines of a specialty board that operates in accordance with the requirements established by the American Dental Association in a specialty area recognized by the Board, if the specialty board:

      1. a. Has established examination requirements and standards,
      2. b. Appraised an applicant’s qualifications,
      3. c. Administered comprehensive examinations, and
      4. d. Upon completion issues a certificate to a dentist who has achieved diplomate status; or
   4. 4. Board certified: A dentist who has met the requirements of a specialty board referenced in subsection (C)(3), and who has received a certificate from the specialty board, indicating the dentist has achieved diplomate status.
4. D. A dentist, dental hygienist, or denturist whose advertising implies that services rendered in a dental office are of a specialty area other than those listed in subsection (B) and recognized by a specialty board that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association violates this Article and A.R.S. § 32-1201(18)(u), and is subject to discipline under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 11.

Historical Note

Adopted effective July 29, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Former Section R4-11-1102 renumbered to R4-11-501 by final rulemaking at 5 A.A.R. 580, effective February 4, 1999 (Supp. 99-1). New Section made by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 793, effective April 2, 2005 (Supp. 05-1).