Dentists go to dental school for four years after college. Once they graduate
dental school, they are permitted by law to perform any dental procedure.
However, some dentists choosing to specialize may go to graduate dental
school in one of the recognized specialty areas of dentistry: Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral
Medicine, Dental Anesthesia, or Pedodontics.
Sometimes, general dentists take it upon themselves to perform procedures
best referred to a specialist, without discussing this with the patient.
When doing so, they are held to the standard of care of the specialty.