# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 44 — Board of Dental Examiners

### Chapter 14 — Approved Specialty Fields and Qualifications for Identification as a Specialist

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §4-504, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: January 28, 1985 (12:2 Md. R. 141)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1141)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03E amended effective August 20, 1990 (17:16 Md. R. 1991)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05B amended effective November 20, 1994 (21:23 Md. R. 1954)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .08 amended effective August 20, 1990 (17:16 Md. R. 1991)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 10.44.14.01*

These regulations govern the qualifications for identification of a licensed dentist as a specialist by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners, and the application procedures and fees for the identification.

#### Regulation .02 Definition.

*COMAR 10.44.14.02*

For purposes of this chapter, “Board” means the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

#### Regulation .03 Designation of Specialties.

*COMAR 10.44.14.03*

The Board recognizes the following areas of dentistry as specialties:

A. Endodontics;

B. Oral surgery, also known as oral and maxillofacial surgery;

C. Oral pathology;

D. Orthodontics;

E. Pediatric dentistry;

F. Periodontics;

G. Prosthodontics;

H. Public health; and

I. Any area of specialty approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or its successor organization.

#### Regulation .04 Qualifications for Identification.

*COMAR 10.44.14.04*

A licensed dentist qualifies for identification as specialist by the Board if the dentist:

A. Has successfully completed a Board-approved specialty training program in that specialty; or

B. Before July 1, 1979, reasonably represented to the public that the dentist was a specialist in that specialty while limiting the dentist's practice to the specialty.

#### Regulation .05 Application for Identification.

*COMAR 10.44.14.05*

To apply for identification as a specialist, a licensed dentist shall submit to the Board:

A. An application on a form that the Board provides;

B. A fee as set forth in COMAR 10.44.20; and

C. Either evidence of having successfully completed a Board-approved specialty training program or a written statement, under oath, that sets forth the basis for the dentist's claim that, before July 1, 1979, the dentist reasonably represented to the public that the dentist was a specialist in that specialty, including in that written statement the:

  (1) Dates during which the dentist's practice was limited to that specialty; and

  (2) Education and experience on which the claim to be a specialist was based.

#### Regulation .06 Roster of Specialists.

*COMAR 10.44.14.06*

The Board shall maintain a roster of all licensed dentists identified as specialists in each of the specialties recognized by the Board.

#### Regulation .07 List of Approved Programs.

*COMAR 10.44.14.07*

The Board shall maintain a list of all specialty training programs it approves. The list shall be open to the public during the normal business hours of the Board.

#### Regulation .08 Prohibition.

*COMAR 10.44.14.08*

A. On or after July 1, 1985, a person may not represent to the public that the person is a dentist specializing in any specialty of dentistry or limiting the dentist's practice of dentistry to any specialty of dentistry unless the person is recognized by the Board as a specialist in that specialty.

B. A person may not represent to the public that the person is a specialist in any area not approved by the Board.

#### Regulation .09 Penalties for Violation.

*COMAR 10.44.14.09*

Violation of these regulations constitutes unprofessional conduct and may result in disciplinary action as set forth in Health Occupations Article, §4-315, Annotated Code of Maryland.