Dental Professions

What is a dentist? A dental hygienist? A dental assistant? What services do they perform?

Dentists diagnose and treat, operate on, or prescribe for any disease, pain, injury, deficiency, deformity, or physical condition of the mouth, including the teeth and gums, and adjacent tissues.

Under the supervision of a dentist, dental hygienists provide treatment to prevent cavities and gum diseases.

Dentists and dental hygienists must be licensed by the Board of Regents to practice in New York State. As part of a dental delivery team, only dental hygienists and dentists may perform the following services:

• apply cavity-preventing agents, like sealants and fluorides, to your teeth
• counsel you on the importance of good nutrition for oral health
• perform such monitoring procedures as reviewing your health history, taking your blood pressure, and maintaining your dental chart
• remove tartar (calculus) and plaque from your teeth below and above the gum line
• teach proper hygiene techniques for your teeth and gums and develop individual at-home oral hygiene programs

Dental assistants perform a variety of support functions; those who elect to become licensed as New York certified dental assistants may also perform these services as part of a dental delivery team:

• provide patient education
• take preliminary medical histories and vital signs for review by a dentist
• place and remove rubber dams and matrix bands, and remove orthodontic arch wires, ligature ties, and periodontal dressings
• select and prefit temporary crowns and orthodontic bands
• take impressions for study casts or diagnostic casts
• remove stitches placed by a dentist

Dental assistants who do not perform these services do not need a license. These services may also be performed by a licensed dental hygienist.

How can I locate a dentist or dental hygienist?

Dental care may be provided only in dental offices, clinics, schools, hospitals and other related health care facilities; it may not be provided in commercial dental laboratories. Check with people you know for recommendations. You may also look under "Dentists" or "Dental Hygienists" in the yellow pages of your phone book. Local professional societies may provide referrals, including emergency referrals. The State Board for Dentistry cannot refer you to a practitioner.

What is a D.D.S. or a D.M.D.? What credentials do New York State licensed dentists have?

D.D.S. and D.M.D. are the usual doctoral degrees granted by American dental schools. They stand for Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine, respectively. There is no difference between the training provided by D.D.S. and D.M.D. programs.

New York licensed dentists have completed a four-year program in dentistry following a minimum of two years of college; most have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent before entering dental school. Dentists practicing a specialty have additional education in that specialty. Graduates of programs offered outside the U.S. have completed at least two additional years in an American dental school. In addition, New York licensed dentists have passed a State-approved licensing examination and are required to take continuing education courses regularly.

Does New York State license dentists in specialty areas of practice?

No. New York licensed dentists are authorized by their State license to treat any condition of the mouth within their scope of practice. Some dentists, however, choose to specialize in a particular area of practice and complete additional studies in a dental specialty; these professionals may limit their practices to their specialties.

Dental specialties may include these practitioners:

• endodontists perform such procedures as root canals;
• oral and maxillofacial radiologists use imaging technologies to diagnose diseases in the head and neck;
• oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat injuries and defects of the head, neck, face, and jaws (as long as the mouth is involved);
• oral pathologists study the causes and effects of diseases of the mouth;
• orthodontists treat problems related to misaligned teeth;
• pediatric dentists specialize in treating children;
• periodontists diagnose and treat diseases of the gums;
• prosthodontists replace missing teeth with fixed or removable substitutes such as dentures; and
• public health dentists control dental diseases and promote good dental health in the community.

Can dentists provide sedation and general anesthesia?

New York licensed dentists must be specially certified to provide certain levels of sedation: conscious sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia. Questions about sedation should be discussed carefully with the dentist.

What is a R.D.H.? What credentials do New York State licensed dental hygienists have?

R.D.H. stands for Registered Dental Hygienist, the title commonly used by licensed dental hygienists. New York licensed dental hygienists have earned an associate or bachelor's degree from an approved dental hygiene program after earning a high school diploma. In addition, New York licensed dental hygienists have passed a State-approved licensing examination and are required to take continuing education courses.

What credentials do New York Certified Dental Assistants have?

New York Certified Dental Assistants have completed an approved one-year course of college study, or an approved alternate course of study, and have a high school diploma. They have also passed a State-approved licensing examination.

What records does my dentist or dental hygienist maintain? Can anyone else get them?

Your patient record typically contains your case history, dental examination findings, x-ray films, lab findings, reports from other treatment professionals, and other treatment records. Your dentist must keep client records for six years or until the client turns 22, whichever is longer.

Generally, your records are confidential unless you approve their release. Ask your professional about exceptions to this. If you want a copy of your records, provide your dentist with a written request. You may be charged a reasonable fee to offset the cost of providing copies.

What questions should individuals with disabilities ask about accessing services?

Ask such questions as whether the service location is physically accessible (curb cuts, ramps, restrooms, etc.) as well as whether there is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), parking for people with disabilities, or home-bound care.

In receiving dental services, you should:

• answer all health-related questions completely and accurately
• tell your dental health professional about all medications you are taking
• ask questions about terminology and procedures you don't understand
• authorize other health care providers to release your records to your dental professional
• understand your dental plan's coverage before treatment begins

In turn, your dental professional should:

• treat you in keeping with the Consumer's Bill of Rights
• use infection control procedures that meet State and national standards, including the wearing of gloves
• get your consent before undertaking any procedures

Verifying a New York license:

In a dentist's office, school, or other facility not regulated by the State Department of Health, the dentist, dental hygienist, or certified dental assistant must display a current New York State registration certificate that lists the practitioner's name, address, and license number.

In hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other facilities regulated by the State Department of Health, licensees must wear identification badges listing their name and legal professional title.

Dental professionals must reregister every three years to practice in New York.

Contact information:

• General Customer Service: (518) 474-3817

• Fax: (518) 474-1449

• TDD/TTY: (518) 473-1426

• E-Mail: op4info@mail.nysed.gov

• State Board for Dentistry: (518) 474-3817, extension 550 or dentbd@mail.nysed.gov