As a firm that specializes in the dental industry, the dental attorneys at Nardone Limited represent all different types of dentists, including dental specialists. But, what is required for a dentist to call themselves a dental specialist? This article provides a brief overview of the requirements for a dentist to be called and recognized as a specialist in the state of Ohio. 

Requirements to be Recognized as a Dental Specialist in Ohio

Per Ohio Administrative Code Section 4715-5-04, a licensed dentist is recognized as a specialist in Ohio if the dentist meets the following criteria:

1. The dentist’s indicated dental specialty(s) has a certifying board recognized by the American Dental Association; and
2. The dentist’s practice is limited exclusively to the indicated specialty area(s); and
3. The dentist has successfully completed an American Dental Association accredited post-doctoral education program for the indicated specialty area(s); or the dentist is a certified diplomate (i.e. a dentist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the indicated specialty area(s)) of national certifying board of a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.

The above requirements do not apply to otherwise qualified specialists who announced their specialty or designation prior to August 1, 1974. Any dentist who does not meet the standards listed above is a general dentist. While a general dentist is allowed to provide specialty services in Ohio, they are not allowed to limit their practice to any specific area(s) of practice. The use of terms such as “specialist,” “pediatric dentist,” “periodontist,” “oral and maxillofacial surgeon,” “endodontist,” “orthodontist,” or other similar terms that imply that a dentist is a specialist may only be used by licensed dentists that meet the above listed requirements.

Contact Nardone Limited

Nardone Limited represents general dentists, dental specialists, and dental practices.  Nardone Limited’s dental practice attorneys and professionals have vast experience representing general dentists, dental specialists, and dental practices in such diverse areas as: (i) buying and selling dental practices; (ii) asset purchase agreements; (iii) employment contracts; (iv) labor and employment representation; (v) human resource representation; (vi) Ohio Dental Board representation; (vii) lease agreements; (viii) real estate purchase agreements; (ix) tax planning; and (x) estate planning. The staff at Nardone Limited understands that a dental practice is a business and strives to handle transactions while minimizing each client’s time spent away from the office. Contact us today to discuss your practice and how Nardone Limited may help you.