There are nine recognized dental specialties and they include: Dental Public Health: Dental public health is the science of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is the form of dental practice that targets the community as the patient over the individual. It is concerned with: the dental health education of the public, applied dental research, and the administration of group dental care programs, as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. (Adopted May 1976) Endodontics (Root Canal Specialist): Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the morphology (form and structure), physiology (functions), and pathology (diseases and their causes) of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues (the tissues outside and around the tooth). Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences, including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology (causes and origins), diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp, and associated periradicular conditions. (Adopted December 1983) Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations. (Adopted May 1991) Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy. The subsequent information is used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted April 2001) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (this is Dr. Hornaday's specialty): Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted October 1990) Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion (faulty contact between upper and lower teeth), as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial (mouth and face) structures. (Adopted April 2003) Pediatric Dentistry (Children's Dentistry): Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. (Adopted 1995) Periodontics (Gum Disease Specialist): Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth - or their substitutes - and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues. (Adopted December 1992) Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth, and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes such as dentures or bridges. (Adopted April 2003)