Dental Team and Specialties
General dentist
A general dentist provides a full range of dental care, from exams and cleanings to fillings, crowns and extractions, and refers patients for care outside that range.
A general dentist provides a full range of dental services. They do not focus on one area, such as oral surgery. NADP uses this description in its glossary. The ADA says it takes generally three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school to graduate and become a general dentist.
After school, dentists must pass a national written exam and a state or regional clinical exam to practice. They must meet continuing education requirements to keep their license. Additional post-graduate training is required for a recognized specialty, such as orthodontics, periodontics, or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
A general dentist may refer you to a dentist with specialty training for care outside their range. Dr. Jon Copeland and Dr. Stephanie Copeland are general dentists. See DDS and DMD and family dentistry.