Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children from birth through adolescence. They also treat special handicapped patients beyond the age of adolescence. Periodontists diagnose and treat disease of the gums and the bones which support the teeth. Endodontists diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and other dental tissues that affect the vitality of teeth. Prosthodontists replace missing natural teeth with fixed or removable substitutes such as dentures, bridges and implants.
Oral pathologists study and research the causes and processional effects of diseases of the mouth.
Public Health dentists specialize in preventing and controlling dental disease and promoting dental health through organized commmunity efforts. Others plan, organize, and maintain dental health programs for public health agencies. Dentists may establish their own practices, become part of dental or medical groups, or work in hospitals. Dental school consists of a four year curriculum. The third and fourth years provide the clinical experience where the students perform dental care on patients.