A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Your dentist has completed at least eight years of schooling, and received either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree, or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your doctor is a pediatric dentist, this means that he or she specializes in caring for children from infancy through their teen years. A pediatric dentist has received the proper education and training needed to work with young kids. Other specializations include: Endodontics (root canals) Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery) Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics Periodontics (gum disease) Prosthodontics (implants)