Who does what for the mouth, the face, the neck?

Dental practitioners

General dentist

Practises the full range of classic dentistry: treatment of cavities, fillings, root canal treatments, extractions, fixed or removable prostheses, gum treatments… The former title was licentiate in dental science, renamed in 2002.

Chirurgien-dentiste

A title not recognised in Belgium. It is the title used for dentists in France.

Oral surgeon

A title not recognised in Belgium; it exists in several other European countries.

Orthodontist

A dentist specialising in orthodontics or dentofacial orthopaedics (protected title). Treats dentofacial disharmonies — problems of tooth alignment, occlusion and the development of the jaw bones — for functional and aesthetic purposes, using removable or fixed appliances.

Periodontologist

Periodontology (protected title) is the dental specialty that treats the periodontium, i.e. all the supporting tissues of the teeth: the gums and the bone holding the roots.

Implantologist

A practitioner who places implants. Not a legal title, but some universities offer a UC in implantology.

Paedodontist

Paedodontics is dentistry specialised for children; it is a UC.

Endodontist

A specialist dentist (UC) who mainly treats inflammation and infection of the internal root canal system of the teeth. He performs what are commonly called root canal treatments, generally using a microscope.

Occlusodontist

A dentist who deals specifically with occlusion, i.e. the contact between the teeth of the two arches. Not a legal title, but some universities offer a UC.

Prosthetist

A term that can refer either to a dental technician or to a dentist who deals particularly with dental prostheses, removable or fixed. Not a legal title.

Aesthetic dentist

Aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of the teeth and the smile. Not a legal title.

Conservative, restorative dentistry

Branches of general dentistry.

Holistic, non-conventional or biological dentistry, naturopathy, dental energetics

Fanciful titles that are essentially a marketing ploy.

Physician-dentist

A practitioner who has obtained both a medical and a dental degree, but has not specialised.

Professions related to dentistry

Dental technician

Also called dental prosthetist or denturist: works in a laboratory making the various appliances that will be placed in the mouth, temporarily or permanently. He always works through a dentist.

Dental assistant

Helps the dentist at the chair, but also with the management of the practice, the maintenance of equipment and contact with patients. Not a protected title, but some centres offer this training.

Dental hygienist

The person responsible, within a dental practice, for oral hygiene, in particular scaling.

Medical practitioners

ENT (otorhinolaryngologist)

A specialist physician treating conditions of the nose, throat and ears. Protected title.

Cervico-facial surgery or head and neck surgery

Describes a type of activity but is not a recognised title and is not linked to a particular specialty. Various practitioners may perform this surgery: general surgeon, plastic surgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, vascular surgeon, paediatric surgeon, ENT…

Oncology

The medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of patients with cancer.

Plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery

A surgical specialty mainly concerning the skin and non-visceral soft tissues, mainly for reconstructive and aesthetic purposes. It is not linked to one anatomical region.

Aesthetic medicine

Performs non-surgical procedures aimed at modifying physical appearance for aesthetic purposes.

Other specialties

Many other specialists may be involved in treating the face, each with a well-known field: dermatology, vascular surgery, general surgery, neurology, ophthalmology…

The title “Doctor” or “Dr”