§ 4-504. Specialization

   (a) In general. -- A licensed dentist may not represent to the public that the licensee is a specialist in any field of specialized dental practice unless identified as a specialist in that field by the Board.

(b) Determination of qualifications on request. -- If a licensed dentist requests, the Board shall determine whether the licensee qualifies for Board identification as a specialist.

(c) Board approval. -- The Board may approve any area of specialty recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or its successor organization.

(d) Application for identification as specialist. --

   (1) The Board shall adopt rules and regulations concerning application procedures, fees, and required qualifications for identification as a specialist.

   (2) The qualifications required of applicants for Board identification as a specialist may include:

      (i) The requirements established by various specialty certifying boards of the American Dental Association;

      (ii) Education;

      (iii) Professional experience; and

      (iv) Whether, before July 1, 1979, the applicant represented to the public, in an ethical manner, that the applicant was a specialist.

(e) Approval of additional specialties. -- In approving additional specialties, the Board may consider those fields recognized and approved by the American Dental Association.

(f) Board to be depository and arbitrator. -- The Board is a depository for and the arbitrator of the specialty qualification standards of the American Dental Association in this State.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 32, § 5A, 5B, 16; 1981, ch. 8, § 2; 1987, ch. 34; 1990, ch. 6, § 11; 1999, ch. 376.