PURPOSE: This rule establishes a definition for all the existing dental specialties recognized by the Missouri Dental Board and adds one new specialty that was recognized by the American Dental Association in April 2001.

1. (1) The following identifies and defines the dental specialties recognized by the board:

   1. (A) 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;
   2. (B) Oral and Maxillofacial 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;
   3. (C) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery—is the specialty of dentistry which includes 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.
   4. (D) Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics—is that area of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance and correction of the growing or mature dentofacial structures, including those conditions that require movement of teeth or correction of malrelationships and malformations of their related structures and the adjustment of relationships between and among teeth and facial bones by the application of forces and/or the stimulation and redirection of functional forces within the craniofacial complex. Major responsibilities of orthodontic practice include the diagnosis, prevention, interception and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding structures; the design, application and control of functional and corrective appliances; and the guidance of the dentition and its supporting structures to attain and maintain optimum occlusal relations in physiologic and esthetic harmony among facial and cranial structures;
   5. (E) 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;
   6. (F) 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;
   7. (G) 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 maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes; 20 CSR 2110-2
   8. (H) Public Health—is 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 concerned 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; and
   9. (I) Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology—is 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.

AUTHORITY: sections 332.031 and 332.171.2, RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 110-2.085. Original rule filed June 25, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Moved to 20 CSR 2110-2.085, effective Aug. 28, 2006.

*Original authority: 332.031, RSMo 1969, amended 1981, 1993, 1995 and 332.171.2, RSMo 1969, amended 1981,