Just like doctors, some dentists concentrate on certain types of treatments or certain types of patient. Some may specialise in treating children, others may concentrate on treating gum disease. The General Dental Council - the body which regulates dentistry in the UK - holds thirteen 'specialist lists'. To be entered on these, dentists must prove particular expertise in their chosen area. The GDC recognises the following as specialisms:

• Oral surgery
• Surgical dentistry
• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Restorative dentistry
• Dental public health
• Orthodontics
• Paediatric dentistry
• Oral medicine
• Oral microbiology
• Oral pathology
• Dental and maxillofacial radiology

In order to practise in the UK, all dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC may be able to help you further with locating a specialist.

You can contact the General Dental Council on:
Tel: 020 7887 3800
Minicom (via type talk): 18001 020 7887 3800
Fax: 020 7224 3294
Website: www.gdc-uk.org
Address: 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ