Oral pathologists study the cause, development and effects of oral diseases using clinical, microscopic, radiographic or other laboratory procedures. They may treat disease directly or provide guidance. Oral radiologists make and interpret radiographs of the head and neck area. Pediatric dentists specialize in preventive and therapeutic care for children. Public health dentists promote public education and the prevention, control and treatment of dental diseases for communities.
Oral medicine is a brand new dental specialty.
It is a non-surgical specialty that includes the evaluation, diagnosis, therapeutic management and research into medically related oral diseases. To practise dentistry in B.C. applicants must complete an accredited general practitioners Dentistry degree, be registered and licensed with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. and satisfactorily complete the National Dental Examination Board of Canada examination. To maintain a licence to practise in B.C. the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. requires evidence of continuing education on a regular basis. Postgraduate training is offered in periodontics, oral medicine, oral pathology or oral radiology. Training for each specialty is offered in conjunction with a master's degree in dental science in the form of a three-year program that confers a diploma in the specialty as well as the master's degree.