General Dentist and Specialist Dentist

Scope of Practice
Document Title: General Dentist and Specialist Dentist Scope of Practice

Document Ref. Number: DOH/SOP/HWF/GDSD/V2/2024 Version: V2

New / Revised: Revised

Publication Date: November, 2024

Effective Date: January, 2025

Document Control: DoH Strategy Sector

- DoH licensed Healthcare Providers

- DoH licensed Healthcare Providers of dental services.
Applies To:
- DoH authorized Health Payers.
- All Health Insurance products and schemes, as applicable.

Owner: Healthcare Workforce Planning Division - Healthcare Workforce Sector.

Revision Date: January-2027

Revision Period: 2 years

Contact: [email protected]

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgment .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Preface .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.Definitions and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2. Purpose of the Scope of Practice ................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Scope............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
4. Practice Settings ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
5. Standard of Proficiency ................................................................................................................................................. 8
5.1 General Principles .............................................................................................................................................. 8
5.2 General Obligations ........................................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 The Scope of Practice of General Dentists........................................................................................................... 9
5.4 Endodontists’ Scope of Practice ....................................................................................................................... 11
5.5 Periodontists’ Scope of Practice ....................................................................................................................... 12
5.6 Prosthodontists’ Scope of Practice ................................................................................................................... 15
5.7 Oral Surgeons’ Scope of Practice ..................................................................................................................... 16
5.8 Pediatric Dentists’ Scope of Practice ................................................................................................................ 19
5.9 Orthodontists’ Scope of Practices ................................................................................................................... 21
5.10 Special Care Dentists’ Scope of Practice .......................................................................................................... 22
5.11 Other professional roles of dentists ................................................................................................................. 24
6. Specific Learning Requirement / Privileging Requirement ........................................................................................... 24
6.1 Specialist dentist practicing general dentistry ................................................................................................... 24
6.2 Performing dental implantology ....................................................................................................................... 24
6.3 Use of LASER in dental practice ........................................................................................................................ 24
6.4 Administration of Local anesthesia .................................................................................................................. 24
6.5 Administration of Inhalation Sedation (anxiolysis), and utilization of other sedation modalities ..................... 24
6.6 Restorative dentistry ....................................................................................................................................... 25
6.7 Performing Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures ................................................................................................ 25
6.8 Obstructive Sleep Apnea ................................................................................................................................. 25
7.Exempted from Scope .................................................................................................................................................. 25
8. Relevant Reference Documents .................................................................................................................................. 26

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 Acknowledgments
The Dentists’ SCOPE OF PRACTICE revision project team is indebted to a number of subject matter experts from the
practice and academia for their collaboration throughout the revision process. By contributing their time, efforts,
expertise, and insights, they were instrumental in completing the revision task.

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 Preface
The Department of Health (DoH) developed this regulatory instrument to enable dentists to provide quality health care
services, acknowledging their training and entitlement to their professional title. It is expected that all dentists practice
their professional duties to the best of their abilities while abiding by UAE legislations, including Federal Law No. (5) of
2019 on the Regulation of Practice of the Human Medicine Profession, which states: “The Physician shall practice the
Profession within the limits of the License granted to him/her and the License of the Health Facility where he/she works.

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 1.Definitions and Abbreviations

No. Term Definition

As Low As Reasonably Achievable A guiding principle in radiation protection aimed at minimizing exposure
1.1
(ALARA) to ionizing radiation, even in small doses, when there’s no direct benefit.

The capability of an individual to apply a set of related knowledge, skills

1.2 Competency and abilities required to successfully perform an assigned task in a
defined work setting

Is a case presented with dental care needs that are recognized as being
outside the scope of a profession or beyond individual competence. In
1.3 Complex case
this document context, the term “simple” is considered the opposite of
“complex”.

Is defined by the American Dental Association (ADA) as “The evaluation,

diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related
procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity,
1.4 Dentistry maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their
impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of
his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics
of the profession and applicable law.” (1)

“Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the

morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and
periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and
1.5 Endodontics
clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology,
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp
and associated periradicular conditions.” (1)

These are the clinical procedures that may be performed by a dentist

1.6 Non-core Procedures
after completing a certifying competency-based training.

The specialty of Oral Surgery deals with the diagnosis and management
of pathology of the mouth and jaws that requires surgical intervention.
Oral Surgery involves the treatment of children, adolescents and adults,
1.7 Oral surgery
and the management of dentally anxious and medically complex patients.
Oral Surgery care is provided by Oral Surgeons and by Oral & Maxillofacial
Surgeons as the clinical competencies of these two specialties overlap. (2)

The branch of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance, and

correction of the growing and mature dentofacial structures. It includes
1.8 Orthodontics the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of all forms of
malocclusion of the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding
structures. (3)

The branch of dentistry concerned with preventive and therapeutic oral

healthcare for children from birth through adolescence and those with
1.9 Pediatric dentistry
special needs. It includes the management of orofacial problems related
to medical, behavioral, physical, or developmental disabilities. (3)

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 The “specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of
the teeth or their substitutes; the replacement of lost teeth and
1.10 Periodontics
supporting structures by regeneration, tissue engineering, implantation
of natural and/or synthetic devices and materials; and the maintenance
of the health, function and esthetics of these tissues and structures.” (28)

The entitlements of a healthcare professional to provide patient care

within a healthcare facility. Clinical privileges are granted by a privileging
1.11 Privileges committee or a similar structure. The clinical privileges are determined by
the individual’s professional license and scope of practice, experience,
competence, as well as the facility license and resources.

1.12 Clinical Privileging A process of which the health professional is granted clinical privileges.

The individual (s) or group that holds the ultimate authority and
responsibility for establishing rules, policies, and standards to maintain
quality patient care. Examples are medical director, executive medical
committee, and specialty board among others. For the purpose of this
1.13 Privileging Committee
document, the use of “Privileging Committee” represents the individual
or group within a healthcare facility who are responsible for granting,
reviewing, renewing, and cancelling of clinical privileges of healthcare
professionals.

The branch of dentistry that deals with restoring and maintaining oral
health, function, and appearance by coronal alteration or reconstruction
1.14 Prosthodontics
of the natural teeth or the replacement of missing teeth and contiguous
oral and maxillofacial tissues with substitutes. (3)

Patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses

1.15 Rational use of medicines that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of
time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community (40)

The branch of dentistry concerned with repairing or replacing damaged

or missing teeth and providing dental care for individuals with complex
1.16 Restorative dentistry
operative multidisciplinary needs, fixed and removable prosthodontics,
endodontics and periodontics.

The predefined range of services, treatments, responsibilities, and

1.17 Scope of Practice (SOP) activities that might be undertaken within the realm of specific
profession.
The branch of dentistry that is concerned with the oral health care of
people with an intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric
1.18 Special care dentistry conditions that require special methods or techniques to prevent or treat
oral health problems or where such conditions necessitate special dental
treatment plans. (3).

The General Dentistry Core These are the clinical procedures that licensed general dentists are
1.19
Procedures expected be able to perform.

No. Term Definition

1.20 ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support
1.21 BLS Basic Life Support
1.22 PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support

1.23 TMJ Temporomandibular Joint

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 2. Purpose of the Scope of Practice

The purpose of this document is to:

2.1. Define the clinical dental care domains and the relevant competencies required to keep up with the terms of
professional license issued by the DoH to General Dentists and other Dental Specialists including the following
(not an inclusive list):
• Endodontists,
• Periodontists,
• Prosthodontists,
• Pediatric dentists,
• Orthodontists,
• Oral surgeons,
• Special care dentists, and
• Restorative dentists.
2.2. Set up professional boundaries, accountabilities, ethical and legal obligations toward patients and the
community.
2.3. Serve as a reference to regulatory authority, healthcare providers, healthcare payers, and healthcare
professionals.
2.4. This document must be read in conjunction with all UAE and Abu Dhabi laws and regulations related to the
practice of dentistry.

3. Scope

3.1. The provisions laid out in this document apply to DoH licensed General Dentists (general dental practitioners)
and Specialist Dentists (listed under clause 2.1.) and to all healthcare providers who provide and operate dental
services.

4.Practice Settings

Dental Services can be provided in a variety of licensed health care settings, including:
4.1 Hospitals
4.2 Medical and Dental Centers
4.3 Primary Health care Centers
4.4 Specialized Clinics
4.5 Mobile Health Units
4.6 One Day Surgery Center
4.7 School Clinics
4.8 Home Care Services
4.9 General Dental Clinic
4.10 Tele-Medicine Provider
4.11 Other practice settings upon licensure from DoH

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 5.Standard of Proficiency

5.1 General Principles

Dentists may assume different roles within the continuum of dental care depending on their education,
training, competencies, experience, license and clinical privileges. Dentists must consider the following
principles before requesting or accepting a delineation of clinical privileges:

5.1.1 The primary interest of dentists is always the patient.

5.1.2 Dentists may not perform any procedure or intervention that may compromise patient safety or
will not add value to the outcomes of dental care.
5.1.3 Dentists must not perform a task that is beyond their competence or exceeds the scope of their
license, except in cases of emergency to save people’s lives.1
5.1.4 Dentists must not perform a task which cannot be performed using the resources available to
them, except in emergency cases.2
5.1.5 Dentists should refer patients whose care requires interventions that are beyond their scope of
practice or necessitate a different practice setting for better outcomes of care.

5.2 General Obligations

Dentists are obliged to observe and abide by a set of requirements in any practice setting; accordingly, they must:
5.2.1 Practice in accordance with UAE local and federal laws, ethical values, standards of professional
conduct, delineated clinical privileges, and clinical practice protocols, standards and guidelines
published by DoH, national or international organizations.
5.2.2 Update their medical knowledge, and continually enhance their professional, technical, and digital
skills to achieve the best dental treatment outcomes.
5.2.3 Deliver dental services in a licensed facility that provides the appropriate equipment and other
resources necessary for patient safety and quality of care.
5.2.4 Utilize and promote evidence-based practice and safety measures to ensure the best attainable
dental care outcomes and patient safety.
5.2.5 Adhere to the limitations on their scope of practice that might be imposed within a specific model
of care implemented by DoH.
5.2.6 Fulfill their reporting obligations to DoH and other pertinent authorities.
5.2.7 Fulfill their obligations to protect patient-related data and information, as well as to respect
patient privacy and confidentiality.
5.2.8 Fulfill their obligations under the current Health insurance legislations.
5.2.9 Adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Code of Practices
5.2.10 Avoid conflict of interest while conducting their roles and responsibilities.
5.2.11 Coordinate and collaborate with regulatory authorities during public health emergencies.
5.2.12 Understand patients’ differences and cultural values, and treat them with respect regardless of
their religion, color, social and ethnic background.
5.2.13 Comply with radiation safety measures and apply ALARA principle, using the best imaging method
and technique for disease diagnosis and image quality with the lowest radiation exposure possible.
5.2.14 Fulfil their professional and ethical responsibilities toward patients who chose to undergo elective
and cosmetic dental intervention, by informing them about the level of necessity, risks, benefits,
available evidence and expected outcomes.

1Sub-article (1) of Article (24) of Federal Law No. (5) of 2019 on the Regulation of Practice of Human Medicine Profession
2Sub-article (2) of Article (24) of Federal Law No. (5) of 2019 on the Regulation of Practice of Human Medicine Profession

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5.3 The Scope of Practice of General Dentists

The scope of practice of General Dentists spans several areas of dental care:

5.3.1 General Dentists manage the ailments, conditions and diseases of the oral cavity, teeth, and
associated anatomical structures.
5.3.2 In order to respond to patient needs, general dentists are expected to:
5.3.2.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment
5.3.2.2 Evaluate and diagnose diseases and pain of intraoral and extraoral tissues.
5.3.2.3 Identify patient oral care needs and treatment options.
5.3.2.4 Identify TMJ disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.3.2.5 Engage patients in developing a treatment plan that responds to their needs and achieves the
optimum outcomes of dental care
5.3.2.6 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.3.2.7 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.3.2.8 Identify the complexity of the condition, disease, interventions, and patient expectations, using
their clinical judgment and guided by the following representations of a simple case:

a) A Simple Prosthodontics Case involves patients who are dentate, partially dentate,
or edentulous, with a crown-to-root ratio within normal limits, where their
treatment does not require occlusal adjustments, vertical dimension alterations, or
modifications to surrounding tissues or edentulous ridges, or does not require high
aesthetic consideration.
b) A Simple Periodontics Case is defined as a case that does not present with any of the
following: periodontal pocket depths of more than 5 mm, substantial subgingival
calculus, vertical bony defects, bone loss more than 15% of the coronal third of the
involved tooth, or individuals with uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c levels >7%.
c) A Simple Endodontics Case is defined as any case that fulfills the criteria of Low
Difficulty or Moderate Difficulty established by the American Association of
Endodontists (AAE-Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment Form and Guidelines.)
d) A Simple Oral Surgery Case is defined as any patient who does not present with the
following: tooth-teeth/root(s) that are of unusual anatomic structure, located close
to vital anatomic structure, associated or close to pathologic tissue, associated with
uncontrolled systematic disease, with history of ineffective anesthesia, and cases
that known or judged to require substantial removal of surrounding bone or
significant complications. The patient also does not present with any of the
following: dentoalveolar fractures that require plating or archbar placement;
orofacial space infection; long standing lesions and ulcers.

5.3.2.9 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary or
interdisciplinary care team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from
different disciplines.
5.3.2.10 Treat oral diseases and follow up with patients.
5.3.2.11 Manage dental caries by means of prevention and restorations utilizing concepts of minimal
invasive oral care.
5.3.2.12 Perform periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery and prosthodontic dental procedures and
treatments (see Table (1) and Table (2) under Subclause 5.3.3) in response to patient’s dental
care needs.
5.3.2.13 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral images to diagnose and record dental pathologies.
5.3.2.14 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.

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 5.3.2.15 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to a
specialized emergency care when necessary.
5.3.2.16 Provide preventive dental care for the teeth such as dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene
education, oral habit education, and dietary counseling.
5.3.2.17 Provide awareness, counseling, and education to patients and community members to
promote and maintain their oral health.
5.3.2.18 Promote awareness of safety issues that affect children and highlight factors and practices that
reduce or increase risk to child safety at home and in the community. Work in partnership with
parents to prevent unintentional injuries and diseases of the child.
5.3.2.19 Provide preventive, restorative, and surgical care to cooperative pediatric patients, involving
parents in all decisions regarding the child’s safety, oral health and wellbeing. Refer pre-
cooperative, un-cooperative, anxious and medically compromised young children to specialist
care.
5.3.2.20 Refer patients whose dental care necessitates treatment under general anesthesia to a
relevant specialist care.
5.3.2.21 Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and
ensuring the rational use of medications.
5.3.3 Performing dental procedures
Dental procedures are divided into two broad categories based on the clinical training and
qualifications of general dentists: core procedures and non-core procedures.
5.3.3.1 Core procedures: These are the clinical procedures that licensed general dentists are expected
to be able to perform (Table 1)

Table 1: Core Dental Procedures List (not exhaustive list)

S.N Core Procedures

Surgical procedures inclusive of local anesthesia administration, simple

extraction, simple surgical extraction, excision of pathology associated with
1
extracted tooth/root, incision and drainage of intra oral abscesses, removal of
readily retrievable foreign body, and suturing clean intra oral laceration.
Preventive procedures inclusive of topical fluoride application, fissure sealant
2 application, scaling and polishing, as well as patient education on oral hygiene
practices and dietary habits.
Direct and indirect coronal and root restorations using different techniques such
3 as inlays, onlays, plastic or composite in-office veneers and in-office crowns, and
post and core restoration.
4 Simple fixed and removable prosthesis inclusive of crowns, 3-unit bridge.
Root canal tissue management inclusive of vital and nonvital pulp therapy,
5 pulpotomy and pulpectomy on primary and permanent teeth, as well as simple
root canal therapy.

5.3.3.2 Non-core procedures: These are clinical procedures that may be performed by a dentist after
completing a certifying competency-based training (Table 2).

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 Table 2: Non-Core Dental Procedures List (not exhaustive list)

S.N Non-core Procedures

1 Lab-fabricated Veneers
2 Dental implant and implant supported prosthesis (DoH permission required)
3 Dental bleaching

4 Use of laser

5 Utilizing of inhalation sedation for anxious patients over the age of 12 years

6 Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for dental-implant related procedures

5.4 Endodontists’ Scope of Practice

Endodontists evaluate, diagnose, treat, and follow up with patients presenting with diseases and injuries of the
pulp and associated periradicular tissues. The scope of practice of endodontists includes:

5.4.1 Evaluation
5.4.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.4.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.4.1.3 Provide specific endodontic evaluation of dental pulp and periapical tissues of the teeth,
inclusive of medical and dental history, clinical examination of occlusion, teeth, and
surrounding structures, diagnosis of orofacial pain. In addition to formulating a treatment plan
that considers the tooth/teeth health and the patient’s overall wellbeing.
5.4.1.4 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including x-rays and Cone Beam
Computed Tomography (CBCT).
5.4.1.5 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.4.1.6 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.4.1.7 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.4.1.8 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.4.2 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to specialized
care when necessary.
5.4.3 Provide preventive dental care for the teeth including dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene education,
oral habit education, and dietary counseling.
5.4.4 Provide awareness, counseling, and education to patients and community members to promote
and maintain their oral health.
5.4.5 Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications.
5.4.6 Oral Disease Management
5.4.6.1 Manage odontogenic infections of pulp origin.

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 5.4.6.2 Provide endodontic treatment for both medically fit patients and those diagnosed with
medical conditions after consultation with their primary physician, when needed.
5.4.6.3 Provide endodontic treatment for anxious adults and children (by utilizing anxiety
management techniques, or collaborative approach with other dental specialists or by
exploration of other treatment options).
5.4.6.4 Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to evaluate, diagnose and plan of tooth/teeth
undergoing endodontic treatment for cases with multiple dental needs such as full mouth
rehabilitation cases. This includes elective endodontic therapy.
5.4.6.5 Provide non-surgical endodontic treatment for primary and permanent teeth using mechanical
and chemical preparation techniques as well as obturation techniques and materials.
5.4.6.6 Provide root canal treatment for immature teeth utilizing evidence-based and best practice
techniques (i.e., regeneration, apexification, and vital pulp therapies).
5.4.6.7 Provide endodontic treatment for complicated cases such as:
a) Root canal re-treatment.
b) Pulp system with separated instrument, posts, unusual root anatomy (i.e., dilaceration), and
root canal system with anomalies (i.e., pulp stones, calcified canals).
c) Repair pathologic or iatrogenic defect in the canal system: resorption, and perforation.
d) Manage perio-endo lesion.
e) Manage longitudinal tooth fracture and root fracture.
f) Removal of the dental posts from root canal system space.
5.4.6.8 Bleach teeth.
5.4.6.9 Manage dentoalveolar injuries and their complications.
5.4.6.10 Follow up on endodontic treatment over teeth that have peri-radicular pathologies over a
period of time to ensure healing necessary before final restoration.
5.4.6.11 Perform vital pulp therapy.
5.4.7 Surgical Procedures
5.4.7.1 Management of lesions of endodontic origin including but not limited to:

a) Surgical drainage: Incision and drainage, and cortical trephination.

b) Periradicular surgery: cyst enucleation, curettage, biopsy, and guided tissue and bone
regeneration during periapical surgeries.
c) Corrective surgery: Perforation repair, mechanical (iatrogenic), resorptive (external and
internal), root resection, and hemisection.
d) Apicectomy

5.4.7.2 Intentional replantation.

5.4.7.3 Tooth transplantation in collaboration with oral surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons.

5.4.8 Restorative Dentistry

Restore vital and nonvital teeth utilizing different restorative procedures, techniques and
materials. including:
a) Temporary, interim, and permanent restorations for both primary and permanent
dentition.
b) Direct and indirect restorations using different techniques such as inlays, onlays, crowns.
c) Restorations with intra-canal support i.e. posts and core.
5.4.9 Analgesia
Provide local anesthesia through topical, infiltration, and regional block anesthesia confined to the
mouth

5.5 Periodontists’ Scope of Practice

Periodontists evaluate, diagnose, treat, and follow up with patients presenting with diseases of the
supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes. The scope of practice of periodontists
includes:

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5.5.1 Evaluation
5.5.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.5.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.5.1.3 Provide specific periodontal evaluation: inclusive of medical and dental history, clinical
examination of occlusion, teeth, and teeth supporting structure (Periodontium). In addition to
identify risk factors, diagnose periodontal diseases, and formulate treatment plans that
consider the tooth/teeth health and the patient’s overall wellbeing.
5.5.1.4 Evaluate TMJ and head and neck tissues. Diagnose TMJ dysfunctions and manage them by
collaborating with other dental specialists as per the case need.
5.5.1.5 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including Cone Beam Computed
Tomography (CBCT) as they relate to periodontal and dental implant therapy.
5.5.1.6 Utilize adjunctive medical laboratory investigations to diagnose oral pathologies and plan the
surgical procedure accordingly.
5.5.1.7 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.5.1.8 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.5.1.9 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.5.1.10 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.5.2 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to specialized
care when necessary.
5.5.3 Prevention of Oral disease
5.5.3.1 Provide dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene education, oral habit education, and dietary
counseling, in addition to the application of medicament to treat and protect from oral and
dental pathologies.
5.5.3.2 Provide treatment plans for general dentists and hygienists in relation to management of
periodontal disease.
5.5.3.3 Provide monitoring and maintenance for the periodontium and the tissues around dental
implant.
5.5.4 Oral disease management
5.5.4.1 Manage patients with periodontal diseases and related conditions by diagnosing, developing a
comprehensive treatment plan, and providing the required intervention. In addition to
monitoring the disease progression and treatment outcomes.
5.5.4.2 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-specialty care
team, to manage patients with pre-malignant disorder of the oral cavity.
5.5.4.3 Manage periodontal diseases in patients with history of cancer therapy.
5.5.4.4 Manage periodontal diseases in medically compromised patients.
5.5.4.5 Manage plaque-induced and non-plaque-related periodontal diseases and disorders of the
periodontium using non-surgical management techniques, which may include:
a) Biofilm control
b) Mechanical scaling and root planing therapy including periodontal curettage
c) Local and systemic adjunctive therapies; and
d) Occlusal therapy and splinting for periodontal reasons.
5.5.4.6 Manage plaque-induced and non-plaque-related periodontal diseases and disorders of the
periodontium using surgical management techniques of soft and hard tissues, which may
include:

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 a) Resective periodontal surgical procedures: Examples includes periodontal open flap
debridement, apically positioned flap, root resection, curettage, subgingival irrigation and
debridement, gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, periodontal osseous surgery, flap procedures,
functional crown lengthening surgery, osteoplasty, osteotomy, vestibuloplasty, alveoloplasty,
excision of mucous extravasation and mucous retention cysts, biopsies, frenectomy, and
removal of exostosis.
b) Regenerative and reconstructive periodontal surgical procedures: Examples includes
periodontal osseous grafting -Autogenous and non-autogenous-, guided tissue regeneration,
guided bone regeneration, use of biologics, and utilization of tissue substitutes, where
appropriate.
c) Periodontal plastic and aesthetic surgical procedures: Examples include gingival
augmentation, root coverage procedures, and aesthetic crown lengthening surgery.
5.5.4.7 Other surgical Procedures:
a) Repair of soft/hard tissue defects i.e. oroantral fistula management, vestibuplasty procedures
alveolar bone and soft tissue ridge augmentation.
b) Periodontal therapy in conjunction with orthodontic procedures such as surgical exposure of
unerupted tooth, and managing gingival/periodontal recession, gingivectomies, frenectomies.
c) Maintain and enhance alveolar ridge height and thickness to receive implant i.e. socket
preservation, and internal sinus lift.
5.5.4.8 Provide Surgical endodontic therapy including:
a) Apicectomy, root amputation, and hemi-section in collaboration with the endodontist who
would assume the responsibility for completion of the case.
b) Removal of tooth/teeth & remaining roots (simple, surgical & impacted extractions) in the
course of periodontal and implant therapy.
c) Resection of tooth/root.

5.5.5 Analgesia
Provide local anesthesia through topical, infiltration, and regional block anesthesia confined to the
mouth.
5.5.6 Prescribing of Medications
Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications
5.5.7 Dental Implantology (refer to Subclause 6.2 for further details)
5.5.7.1 Evaluate the patient to identify different clinical needs with special consideration to
periodontal health. Refer the complex dental implant cases to oral and maxillofacial surgeons
and prosthodontists for advanced surgical and prosthodontic procedures respectively.
5.5.7.2 Collaborate with other dental specialists to formulate a treatment plan that best suits the
patients’ needs and overall wellbeing.
5.5.7.3 Work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team to execute the plan with the vision of
best treatment outcomes.
5.5.7.4 Work to develop dental implant site by means of soft tissue, and hard tissues preservation or
reconstruction, Examples:
• Ridge augmentation
• Internal sinus floor elevation
• Minimal traumatic extraction.
• Alveolar ridge preservation
• Increase keratinized tissues around implant.
• Lateral/external sinus lift
5.5.7.5 Dental implant surgical placement as per the planned treatment with the multidisciplinary
team (or prosthodontists).
5.5.7.6 Insertion of implant-supported prostheses (provided that the case is simple – refer to
Subclause 5.3.2.7 (a) for the definition of a simple prosthodontics case).
5.5.7.7 Dental implant monitoring and maintenance procedures.

14
 5.5.7.8 Dental implant complications: management of short term and long-term complications that
may occur around dental implants through non-surgical and surgical management of peri-
implant disease including implant removal.

5.6 Prosthodontists’ Scope of Practice

Prosthodontists evaluate, diagnose, treat, and follow up with patients presenting with conditions “associated
with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues” (35). The scope of practice of
prosthodontist includes:
5.6.1 Evaluation
5.6.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.6.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.6.1.3 Provide specific prosthodontic evaluation: inclusive of medical and dental history, clinical
examination of occlusion, teeth, and teeth supporting structure (root and Periodontium),
identification of risk factors, diagnosis and treatment plan with specific consideration to
mastication, speech, and aesthetics and their impact on the patient wellbeing, and monitoring
the treatment provided impact and outcomes.
5.6.1.4 Evaluate geriatric patients requiring prosthodontic treatment considering their oral-dental
needs and the impact on their nutrition and quality of life.
5.6.1.5 Evaluate and tailor treatment plans in collaboration with oral and maxillofacial surgeons for
patients requiring orofacial or maxillofacial prosthetic care considering their other dental
needs and overall wellbeing.
5.6.1.6 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including Cone Beam Computed
Tomography (CBCT) as they relate to occlusion, dental health and dental implant therapy.
5.6.1.7 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.6.1.8 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.6.1.9 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.6.1.10 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.6.2 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability, and refer the patient to
specialized care when necessary
5.6.3 Provide preventive dental care for the teeth including dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene education,
oral habit education, and dietary counseling.
5.6.4 Provide awareness, counseling, and education to patients and community members to promote
and maintain their oral health.
5.6.5 Oral disease management
5.6.5.1 Diagnose and manage malfunction related to occlusion, mastication, aesthetics, and speech for
healthy patients, geriatric patients, and patients with special needs with predictable
restorative and prosthodontic treatments.
5.6.5.2 Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to evaluate, diagnose and plan treatment for
patients with multiple dental treatment needs, complex dental presentations, and / or patients
with medical conditions affecting the oral cavity or complicating the dental rehabilitation
treatment.
5.6.5.3 Manage patients who require full mouth rehabilitation with re-organized approach including:

a) Interim protheses for patients require full mouth rehabilitation

15
 b) Management of dentate patients with fixed protheses
c) Management of partially dentate patients with crowns and fixed bridges
d) Management of partially dentate patient with removable partial dentures
e) Immediate maxillary and/or mandibular denture
f) Teeth/implant supported overdenture
g) Complete maxillary and/or mandibular denture
h) Denture repair procedures including rebase/reline procedure
i) Management partially dentate and/or fully edentulous patients referred with implant
supported prostheses
j) Management patients need aesthetic rehabilitation

5.6.5.4 Evaluate TMJ and head and neck tissues. Diagnose TMJ dysfunctions and manage them by
collaborating with other dental specialists as per the case need.

5.6.5.5 Manage Orofacial disease through:

a) Evaluate (as part of a multidisciplinary team) patients with craniofacial defects, cleft
lip/palate, head and neck cancer, and craniofacial trauma.
b) Formulate treatment plan (as part of a craniofacial multidisciplinary team) during different
treatment phases: pre-surgical planning, resection and re-constructive procedures in the
hospital operating room, and fabrication and insertion of the definitive prosthesis.
c) Manage soft/hard tissue defects of patients with maxillofacial and craniofacial defects by
means of orofacial prosthesis and obturators.
5.6.6 Analgesia
Provide local anesthesia through topical, infiltration, and regional block anesthesia confined to the
mouth and face.
5.6.7 Prescribing of Medications
Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications
5.6.8 Dental Implantology (refer to Subclause 6.2 for further details)
5.6.8.1 Evaluate the patient to identify different clinical needs with special consideration to
mastication, speech, and aesthetics. Refer the complex dental implant cases to oral and
maxillofacial surgeons for advanced surgical procedures
5.6.8.2 Collaborate with other dental specialists to formulate implant treatment plan that best suits
the patients’ needs and overall wellbeing.
5.6.8.3 Work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team to execute the plan with the vision of
best implant treatment outcomes.
5.6.8.4 Maintain and enhance alveolar ridge height and thickness to receive implant such as ridge
preservation and augmentation procedures internal sinus left.
5.6.8.5 Provision of dental implant restorations and prostheses such as:
a) Implant-supported crowns
b) Implant-supported fixed partial dentures
c) Implant-supported overdentures
d) Implant supported fixed complete dentures
5.6.8.6 Repair of implant-supported prosthesis
5.6.8.7 Dental implant monitoring and maintenance procedures.
5.6.8.8 Management of dental implant complications.

5.7 Oral Surgeons’ Scope of Practice

Oral Surgeons deal with the diagnosis and management of pathology of the mouth and jaws through surgical
intervention. The scope of practice of oral surgeons include:
5.7.1 Evaluation

16
 5.7.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.7.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.7.1.3 Provide specific oral health evaluation: inclusive of medical and dental history, clinical
examination of occlusion, teeth, periodontium, peri-radicular tissues, mucosal tissue health,
salivary glands dysfunction, oral cancer screening, oral hygiene evaluation along with
identification of risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic and all other oral
infections and pathologies while considering patients’ mastication, speech, and aesthetics and
its impact on their wellbeing. In addition to monitoring the treatment provided impacts and
outcomes.
5.7.1.4 Diagnose oral cancer and pre-malignant diseases.
5.7.1.5 Provide head and neck evaluation. Diagnose dentofacial deformity.
5.7.1.6 Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team to evaluate and plan the management for patients
requiring dentoalveolar surgery.
5.7.1.7 Evaluate and diagnose dental and non-dental chronic orofacial pain
5.7.1.8 Evaluate and diagnose TMJ dysfunctions and manage them by collaborating with other dental
specialists as per the case need.
5.7.1.9 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including Cone Beam Computed
Tomography (CBCT) as they relate to occlusion and dental implant therapy.
5.7.1.10 Utilize adjunctive medical laboratory investigations to diagnose oral pathologies and plan the
surgical procedure accordingly
5.7.1.11 Admit patients to inpatient care and one day surgery care when the case warrants admission.
5.7.1.12 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.7.1.13 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.7.1.14 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.7.1.15 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.7.2 Oral Emergency management
5.7.2.1 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to
specialized care when necessary
5.7.2.2 Diagnose and manage dento-alveolar trauma and maxillofacial injuries. For severe or complex
fractures of the facial skeleton refer to a maxillofacial surgeon.
5.7.2.3 Manage TMJ dislocation and pain.

5.7.3 Prevention of Oral disease

5.7.3.1 Provide preventive dental care for the teeth including dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene
education, oral habit education, and dietary counseling
5.7.3.2 Provide awareness, counseling, and education to patients and community members to
promote and maintain their oral health
5.7.4 Oral Disease Management
5.7.4.1 Provide patient care in out-patients and in-patient set up.
5.7.4.2 Manage oral, and orofacial space infections
5.7.4.3 Manage chronic pain conditions such as oral mucositis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis
of the jaws, oral pathology related to radiation therapy.
5.7.4.4 Diagnose and manage complex orofacial pain conditions, including burning mouth syndrome,
neuralgia, temporomandibular disorders, and atypical facial pain in a multidisciplinary setting.
Identify various headaches, including migraines, and refer for further medical care
5.7.4.5 Manage pre-malignant lesions of the oral cavity such as leukoplakias or erythroplakias

17
 5.7.4.6 Manage oral health of patients undergoing cancer therapy, organ transplant and other
conditions that require concurrent oral intervention during the course of medical care.
5.7.4.7 Manage patients with a history of cancer therapy (evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, and
referral whenever needed).
5.7.4.8 Collaborate with other dental specialist colleagues to fulfil the surgical component of patient
oral care as part of a full mouth rehabilitation treatment plan.

5.7.5 Surgical Procedures (not an exhaustive list)

5.7.5.1 Tooth Extraction (simple and complex) including impacted, submerged, hemisection, root
amputation, and those in un-usual anatomic locations. Which may or may not involve
elevation of muco-periosteal flap and bone resection
5.7.5.2 Surgical removal of pathological tissues resulting from pulpal pathosis
5.7.5.3 Surgical exposure of unerupted tooth
5.7.5.4 Socket preservation
5.7.5.5 Minor oral surgeries of the soft tissue and hard tissue, including alveoloplasty, apically
repositioned flap, autogenous/non-autogenous graft, excision of intra oral sialolith, excision of
mucous extravasation and mucous retention cysts, curettage, biopsy, frenectomy, intra-oral
incision and drainage, open flap debridement, oroantral fistula management, tooth
reimplantation, vestibuloplasty, removal of exostosis, partial ostectomy and gummy smile
correction.
5.7.5.6 Apicectomy
5.7.5.7 External and internal sinus lift
5.7.5.8 Ridge augmentation
5.7.5.9 Surgical management of dentoalveolar traumas and fractures.
5.7.5.10 Surgical management of post-surgical complications.

5.7.6 Analgesia
Provide local anesthesia through topical, infiltration, and regional block anesthesia confined to the
face
5.7.7 Prescribing of Medications
Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications
5.7.8 Dental Implantology (refer to Subclause 6.2 for further details)
5.7.8.1 Evaluate the patient to identify different clinical needs with special consideration to
periodontal health, occlusion, alveolar ridges height and thickness, and their relation to vital
structures. In addition to the patient’s medical history.
5.7.8.2 Collaborate with other dental specialists to formulate a treatment plan that best suits the
patients’ needs and overall wellbeing.
5.7.8.3 Work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team to execute the plan with the vision of
best treatment outcomes.
5.7.8.4 Work to develop dental implant site by means of soft tissue, and hard tissues preservation or
reconstruction, Examples:
a) Ridge augmentation
b) Internal and external sinus floor elevation
c) Minimal traumatic extraction.
d) Alveolar ridge preservation
5.7.8.5 Dental implant surgical placement as per the planned treatment with the multidisciplinary
team (or Prosthodontist).
5.7.8.6 Insertion of implant-supported prostheses (provided that the case is simple – refer to
Subclause 5.3.2.7 (a) for the definition of a simple prosthodontics case).
5.7.8.7 Dental implant monitoring and maintenance.

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 5.7.8.8 Dental implant complications: management of short term and long-term complications that
may occur around dental implants through non-surgical and surgical management of peri-
implant disease including implant removal.
5.7.9 Utilization of sedation (refer to Subclause 6.5).
5.7.10 Treat patients under General Anesthesia.

5.8 Pediatric Dentists’ Scope of Practice

Pediatric dentists provide preventive, therapeutic and surgical dental care for children from birth through
adolescence until they reach 18 years of age; and those with special needs.

The scope of practice of pediatric dentists include:

5.8.1 Evaluation
5.8.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.8.1.2 Provide general and specific oral health evaluation.
5.8.1.3 Provide comprehensive child assessment: evaluation of young children and children with
medical, genetic, and behavioral conditions through system-oriented physical examinations,
clinical assessments, parental interviews, and laboratory tests in addition to growth and
development evaluation based on physical, motor, sensory, and cognitive assessment.
5.8.1.4 Evaluate and formulate a multidisciplinary treatment plan for children born with orofacial
defects/abnormalities i.e. cleft lip and palate.
5.8.1.5 Formulate an individualized treatment plan considering the child’s cognitive development and
acceptance of the treatment, parents’ preference, child’s coping skills, and the extent of the
disease among other factors.
5.8.1.6 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.8.1.7 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral images radiographs to diagnose dental pathologies.
5.8.1.8 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.8.1.9 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, and eating disorders among others and refer the patient to specialist
care.
5.8.1.10 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.8.1.11 Complete ongoing treatment and arrange for the transition of pediatric patients to adult
dental care once they approach 18 years of age, in coordination with the patients and families,
unless patients have special needs for dental care that cannot be accessed through another
general or specialist dentist.
5.8.2 Identify and manage dentofacial trauma promptly and provide short and long-term plans and refer
the patient to specialized care when necessary.
5.8.3 Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications.
5.8.4 Prevention of Oral Disease
5.8.4.1 Provide preventive dental care for the teeth including dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene
education, oral habit education, and dietary counseling.
5.8.4.2 Provide awareness, counseling, and education to patients and community members to
promote and maintain their oral health.

19
 5.8.4.3 Provide a risk-based prevention plan that takes into consideration the changing dynamics in
risk factors.
5.8.4.4 Assess the risk and provide age-specific dental trauma prevention education to both child and
guardian.
5.8.4.5 During the provision of dental care, pediatric dentists should manage the behaviors of infants,
anxious children and adolescents, and children with delayed cognitive development through
behavior guidance and utilization of non-pharmacological techniques, or pharmacological
techniques including anxiolysis, sedation, and treatment under general anesthesia (refer to
Subclause 6.5).
5.8.4.6 Diagnose and manage oral manifestations and related complications of medically
compromised child patients.
5.8.4.7 Manage periodontal lesions and diseases, including gingival and periodontal diseases and refer
advanced cases to specialist care.
5.8.4.8 Manage dental caries by means of prevention and restorations utilizing concepts of minimal
invasive oral care. Restorative procedures include (but are not limited to):
a) Temporary, interim, and permanent restorations for both primary and permanent dentition
b) Direct and indirect restorations using different techniques such as inlays, onlays, veneers, and
partial crowns
c) Permanent and provisional crowns for primary and permanent teeth utilizing different
techniques (pre-fabricated, chair side, and lab fabricated).
5.8.4.9 Manage TMJ disorders in the child population in collaboration with other specialties care.
5.8.4.10 Manage primary and permanent teeth with structural abnormalities and developmental
defects such as enamel hypo-mineralization, and amelogenesis imperfecta
5.8.4.11 Improve tooth color and appearance by means of different techniques such as enameloplasty,
microabrasion, single tooth bleaching (vital/non-vital), and provisional veneers.
5.8.4.12 Collaborate with the child’s physician(s) to provide dental/oral care to patients who require it
in a hospital setting.
5.8.5 Collaborate with orthodontists to manage the primary and mixed dentitions occlusion, which
includes (but not limited to):
5.8.5.1 Space management in the primary and mixed dentition by means of space maintenance,
balancing and compensation extractions.
5.8.5.2 Correction of a simple malocclusions in the primary and mixed dentition including the
following presentations:
a) Simple anterior and posterior crossbites
b) Functional occlusal shift.
5.8.5.3 Management of malocclusion resulting from dentoalveolar growth utilizing interceptive
orthodontics techniques.
5.8.5.4 Manage malocclusion resulting from dental anomalies such as exposure of impacted teeth
management of submerged teeth, and adjustment of micro & macro teeth.
5.8.5.5 Refer children with malocclusion to specialist orthodontist at the appropriate time.
5.8.6 Surgical Procedures
5.8.6.1 Simple extraction of erupted tooth / roots
5.8.6.2 Removal of tooth / fracture or residual roots that requires uncomplicated surgical extraction
5.8.6.3 Conduct minor oral surgery such as - (only after applying clinical judgement of the complexity
of the case):
a) frenectomy, tongue tie, mucocele removal, and removal of foreign body
b) Surgical exposure of impacted teeth in children.
c) c) Surgical removal of supernumerary teeth.
d) d) Decoronation of ankylosed infraoccluded teeth.
5.8.7 Endodontics treatment
5.8.7.1 Manage vital and non-vital pulp therapy in primary and permanent teeth
5.8.7.2 Manage vital and non-vital pulp therapy in immature permanent teeth including regenerative
endodontic therapy.

20
 5.8.7.3 Manage dento-alveolar injuries and complications
5.8.8 Prosthodontics
5.8.8.1 Replace missing tooth/teeth using interim fixed or removable prostheses including but not
limited to immediate partial dentures, partial dentures, and bridges.
5.8.8.2 Provide chair-side, pre-fabricated, and lab-fabricated (provisional) crowns and veneers for
teeth with developmental abnormalities for the child population with consideration of
managing symptoms, improving function and aesthetics while preparing the case for a
permanent solution in adulthood.
5.8.8.3 Work as effective member of multidisciplinary team to manage children with rare conditions
such as craniofacial and orofacial abnormalities i.e. ectodermal dysplasia.
5.8.9 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to a
specialized emergency care when necessary.
5.8.10 Administration of local anesthesia.

5.9 Orthodontists’ Scope of Practices

Orthodontists focus on the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of
the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding structures. The scope of practice of Orthodontists
include:
5.9.1 Evaluation
5.9.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.9.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.9.1.3 Provide specific orthodontic evaluation: Conduct comprehensive orthodontic assessments
including assessment of skeletal growth, occlusal relationships, facial and smile esthetics, and
diagnose skeletal, dental and soft tissue conditions to formulate individualized treatment
plans.
5.9.1.4 Evaluate oral functions such as speech, swallowing and mastication, in addition to breathing.
5.9.1.5 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including x-rays and Cone Beam
Computed Tomography (CBCT).
5.9.1.6 Use advanced diagnostic techniques to plan the treatment for patient with malocclusion with
or without orthognathic abnormalities
5.9.1.7 Diagnose oral-facial pain of pulpal and periradicular origin
5.9.1.8 Identify non-dental chronic orofacial pain and refer the cases to the related specialty.
5.9.1.9 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.9.1.10 Assess the risk-to-benefit ratio for each patient seeking orthodontic treatment and
communicate the risks of orthodontic treatment clearly with patients.
5.9.1.11 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, eating disorders and refer the patient to specialist care.
5.9.1.12 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.9.1.13 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.9.2 Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability and refer the patient to specialized
care when necessary.

5.9.3 Prevention of Oral disease

Provide dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene education, oral habit education, and dietary counseling as
part of continues monitoring and motivation of patients.

21
 5.9.4 Oral disease Management – Orthodontics
5.9.4.1 Manage cases with malocclusion and or dentofacial growth abnormalities of all age groups and
different medical and behavioral disabilities.
5.9.4.2 Collaborate with other dental specialties to execute (interdisciplinary) treatment plans to
address all dental needs prior, during and post orthodontic treatment.
5.9.4.3 Apply evidence-based orthodontic techniques whenever available in addition to best practices
in the management of different malocclusions and craniofacial abnormalities.
5.9.4.4 Work as an effective member in multidisciplinary team to manage malocclusion and other
craniofacial abnormalities in patients with unusual conditions such as:
a) Patient with cleft lip and palate,
b) Patient with under oncology therapy or with history of cancer therapy
c) Patient with periodontal disease
d) Patient with history of dentoalveolar trauma
e) Patient with TMJ disorders.
5.9.4.5 Work as an effective member in a multidisciplinary team to treat and manage major
dentofacial abnormalities prior, during and after orthognathic surgery.
5.9.4.6 Take and maintain pre-operative and post-operative images and radiographs to assess,
monitor and record treatment progression.
5.9.5 Analgesia
Provide local anesthesia through topical, infiltration, and regional block anesthesia confined to the
mouth
5.9.6 Prescribing of Medications
Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications

5.10 Special Care Dentists’ Scope of Practice

Special care dentists focus on addressing oral health care needs of people with an intellectual disability,
medical, physical, or psychiatric conditions that require special individual dental treatment plans. The scope
of practice of Special care dentists include:
5.10.1 Evaluation
5.10.1.1 Record the patient’s health condition, personal and family medical history before diagnosis
and treatment.
5.10.1.2 Provide general oral health evaluation.
5.10.1.3 Provide specific oral health evaluation: evaluation of children and adult individuals with
medical, genetic, and behavioral conditions through system-oriented physical examinations,
clinical assessments, parental/guardian interviews, and laboratory tests with focus to prevent
oral disease, treat oral disease, restore oral health and function to enhance patient quality of
life.
5.10.1.4 Diagnose malocclusion, dental decay, caries risk assessment, periodontal disease, oral hygiene
status, oral mucosal lesions, salivary glands dysfunction, TMJ disorders, oral cancer, teeth
anomalies, and orofacial defects/abnormalities.
5.10.1.5 Take and interpret intraoral and extraoral diagnostic images, including x-rays and Cone Beam
Computed Tomography (CBCT)
5.10.1.6 Formulate an individualized treatment plan considering the individual’s cognitive
development, acceptance of the treatment, and the extent of the disease among other factors.

22
 5.10.1.7 Detect signs and symptoms of non-accidental injuries, abuse, or neglect in children and
vulnerable populations groups and report the observations through the facility reporting
channels.
5.10.1.8 Use appropriate adjunctive tests, such as thermal and electrical vitality tests, transillumination,
selective anesthesia, to diagnose oral diseases.
5.10.1.9 Detect signs and symptoms of diseases beyond the oral cavity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, substance abuse, and eating disorders among others and refer the patient to specialist
care
5.10.1.10 Consult and collaborate with other healthcare professionals as part of multi-disciplinary care
team to manage patients whose healthcare requires interventions from different disciplines of
medicine.
5.10.2 Oral Emergency management
Provide emergency dental treatment to the best of their ability, stabilizing the case and referring
the patient to specialized emergency care when necessary
5.10.3 Prevention of Oral disease
5.10.3.1 Provide dental prophylaxis, oral hygiene education, oral habit education, and dietary
counseling, in addition to the application of medicament to treat and protect from oral and
dental pathologies.
5.10.3.2 Provide treatment plans for primary care practitioners /hygienist in relation to management of
periodontal disease.
5.10.3.3 Provide monitoring and maintenance for the periodontium around dental implant

5.10.4 Oral Disease Management

5.10.4.1 Manage dental caries using prevention and restoration techniques, following a conservative
approach to the case presented.
5.10.4.2 Manage gingival and periodontal conditions.
5.10.4.3 Identify and manage conditions such as chronic orofacial pain, oral mucositis, bisphosphonate-
related osteonecrosis of the jaws, oral pathology related to radiation therapy, dry mouth
conditions, and other soft tissue or hard tissue mucosal lesions, referring patient to specialist
care when needed.
5.10.4.4 Manage TMJ disorders in patients with special needs in collaboration with other specialties
care.
5.10.4.5 During the provision of dental care, special care dentists should manage the behavior, anxiety
and dental phobia of individuals with medical condition and special needs of all age groups
through behavior guidance, and utilization of non-pharmacological techniques, or
pharmacological techniques including anxiolysis, sedation, and treatment under general
anesthesia (refer to Subclause 6.5).
5.10.4.6 Collaborate with healthcare workers of different relevant professions to provide oral/dental
care for individuals with special needs.
5.10.4.7 Diagnose and manage oral disease and /or oral manifestations of medical
conditions/medications in individuals with special need (medically compromised, physically
disabled, cognitive disabled).
5.10.4.8 Manage patient under cancer therapy (pre-cancer therapy, during cancer therapy, and post
cancer therapy).
5.10.5 Surgical Procedures
5.10.5.1 Simple extraction of erupted tooth / roots
5.10.5.2 Removal of tooth / fracture or residual roots that requires uncomplicated surgical extraction
5.10.6 Endodontics treatment
Manage vital and non-vital pulp therapy in primary and permanent teeth
5.10.7 Prosthodontics
5.10.7.1 Provide replacement of lost teeth using different fixed and removable prostheses

23
 5.10.7.2 Formulate treatment plan (as part of a multidisciplinary team) for complicated cases that
require full mouth rehabilitation. Taking into consideration patients’ behavior and ability for
self-care, medical condition, and quality of life. The multidisciplinary team typically involves
periodontists, endodontists, oral surgeon and prosthodontists.
5.10.8 Administration of local anesthesia
5.10.9 Prescribing of Medications
Prescribe medications within the scope of dental care, adhering to pertinent regulations and the
principle of rational use of medications

5.11 Other professional roles of dentists

Dentists may engage in other activities including but not limited to:
5.11.1 Authoring, reviewing, and publishing journal articles
5.11.2 Assuming certain responsibilities in healthcare education and training programs as a supervisor,
faculty member, lecturer, or a program director
5.11.3 Issuing medical reports
5.11.4 Issuing sick leave in accordance with the pertinent regulations
5.11.5 Providing technical consultation as subject matter expert
5.11.6 Conducting and participating in research projects
5.11.7 Serving as a member of a specialty-related committee or taskforce
5.11.8 Management and leadership roles in healthcare facilities

6.Specific Learning Requirement / Privileging Requirement

6.1 Specialist dentist practicing general dentistry

Some dental specialists choose to continue to provide general dentistry procedures throughout their career.
The facility’s clinical privileging body must delineate the requested procedures only after evaluating evidence of
competency to perform those procedures.
6.2 Performing dental implantology
6.2.1 Both general and specialists’ dentists who wish to provide dental implantology procedures must
undertake a competency-based training in dental implantology, and obtain DoH approval to do so
(for more information on the training requirements refer to DoH Standard for Clinical Privileging of
Healthcare Workforce and Clinical Services. DOH/HCWS/SD/CLNPRVLG-CS/2. Annex 1: Minimum
Requirements for Dental Implantology Privileges)
6.2.2 DoH approval to practice dental implantology must be further affirmed through the healthcare
facility privileging system by granting the dentist a detailed list of procedures that is relevant to
their profession’s scope of practice along other determinants including the case complexity
(for more information about the training requirements and privileging requirements refer to DoH
Standard for Clinical Privileging of Healthcare Workforce and Clinical Services.)
6.3 Use of LASER in dental practice
6.3.1 The use of LASER in dentistry is considered transformational to patient care. Dentists who wish to
utilize a particular LASER in their practice are required to be competent in using that type of LASER
through a competency-based training inclusive of LASER safety.
Note: LASER devices are subject to Ministry of Health and Prevention -MOHAP classification,
registration and importation requirements.
6.4 Administration of Local Anesthesia
Dentists utilizing local anesthesia in their practice must maintain a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.

24
6.5 Administration of Inhalation Sedation (anxiolysis), and utilization of other sedation modalities
6.5.1 The use of Inhalation Sedation (Anxiolysis) in dentistry as a means of anxiety and dental phobia
management requires specific training. The training is commonly conducted as part of the post-
graduation specialty training programs in pediatric dentistry, special care dentistry and oral
surgery. It can also be offered as a standalone certifying competency-based training. Dentists who
wish to utilize anxiolytic techniques in their practice must show evidence of competence that
satisfies the facility clinical privileges committee requirements and maintain a valid BLS.
6.5.2 The utilization of other sedation modalities in dentistry as a means of anxiety and dental phobia
management requires specific training. The training is commonly conducted as part of the post-
graduation specialty training programs in pediatric dentistry, special care dentistry and oral
surgery. It can also be offered as a standalone certifying competency-based training. Specialist
dentists who wish to utilize sedation in their practice must show evidence of training and
competence that satisfy the facility clinical privileges committee requirements. Additionally, they
must maintain a valid age-appropriate Advance Life Support certificate (ACLS or PALS).

6.6 Restorative dentistry

Dentists specialized in restorative dentistry, practice within the scope of practice of general dentists with focus
on disease prevention and teeth restorations. They also may possess varying levels of expanded skills in the
fields of endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. The expanded functions are determined and granted
through the facility clinical privileging system based on evidence of training and competency.
Restorative dentists who wish to practice dental implant must fulfil the requirement listed in Clause 6.2.
6.7 Performing Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Consultant and specialist dentists may perform certain Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures, provided they
undertake relevant certifying competency-based training, and obtain DoH approval to do so (for more
information on the training requirements refer to DoH Standard for Healthcare Professionals Performing Non-
Surgical Cosmetic Procedures.)
6.8 Obstructive Sleep Apnea
6.8.1 Obstructive Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician who specialized in sleep medicine.
6.8.2 If the physician prescribes an obstructive sleep apnea appliance, a trained dentist who has
completed relevant certifying competency-based training may provide the prescribed appliance.

25
 7.Relevant Reference Documents

Relation Explanation / Coding / Publication

No. Reference Date Reference Name
Links

https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-
1 September 2024 Glossary of Dental Administrative Terms
dental-administrative-terms#dd

2 September 2024 British Association of Oral Surgeons https://www.baos.org.uk/what-is-oral-surgery/

Dental Board of Australia – LIST OF https://www.dentalboard.gov.au/documents/defaul

3 September 2024 SPECIALTIES t.aspx?record=WD10%2F83&dbid=AP&chksum=aX%
2B%2Fez0Dft65gJuWDrjROQ%3D%3D

4 September 2022 Doh Standard for Clinical Privileging https://www.doh.gov.ae/en

Arabic version
https://mohap.gov.ae/app_content/legislations/ph
Ministerial Resolution No. (1448) of 2017 on p-law-ar-64/mobile/index.html
5 September 2022 Adoption of Code of Ethics and Professional
Conduct for Health Professionals English version
https://mohap.gov.ae/app_content/legislations/ph
p-law-en-64/mobile/index.html

DoH Policies, Standards, Resolutions, Bylaws,

6 September 2022 https://www.doh.gov.ae/en
Manuals and Circulars

Arabic version
Federal Decree Law No. (4) of 2016 https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-
legislations
7 September 2022 Concerning Medical Liability and its
Executive Regulations English version
https://mohap.gov.ae/en/about-us/legal-references

Arabic version https://www.mohre.gov.ae/ar/laws-

Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2021 and-regulations/laws.aspx
8 September 2022 Regarding the Regulation of Employment
Relationship and its Executive Regulations English version https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/laws-
and-regulations/laws.aspx

Arabic version
Article 24 of Federal Law No. (5) of 2019 on https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-
9 November 2021 Regulating the Practice of Human Medicine legislations
and its Executive Regulations English version
https://mohap.gov.ae/en/about-us/legal-references

Arabic version
https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-
Federal Law on the Prevention of legislations
10 September 2022 Communicable Disease No. (14) of 2014 and English version
its Executive Regulations https://mohap.gov.ae/en/about-us/legal-
references

Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 Concerning Child Arabic version https://www.mocd.gov.ae/ar/about-
11 September 2022
Rights Law "Wadeema" mocd/laws-and-legislations.aspx#page=1

DoH Standard on Reporting Suspected https://www.doh.gov.ae/-

12 September 2022 Adverse Drug Reactions and Adverse Events /media/E7AC622D823C4907AEF7965022804259.as
Following Immunization hx

26
 Arabic version
https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-
Federal Law No. (2) of 2019 Concerning the legislations
13 September 2022 Use of Information and Communication English version
Technology (ICT) in Health Fields https://mohap.gov.ae/en/about-us/legal-
references

Health Legislations Encyclopedia: Health https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-

14 September 2022
Insurance Legislations legislations

https://www.adphc.gov.ae/en/Legislation/Code-of-
Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Code of Practices
15 July 2022
Practices

Arabic version
https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/about/law-and-
Federal Law No. (8) of 2019 on Medical legislations;
Products, the Profession of Pharmacy and English version
16 August 2022
Pharmaceutical Facilities and its Executive https://mohap.gov.ae/en/about-us/legal-
Regulations references

17 August 2022 Doh Standard on Tele-Medicine https://www.doh.gov.ae/en

DoH Standard for the Issuance and https://www.doh.gov.ae/en

18 August 2022 Attestation of Sick Leave Reports in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Federal Decree-Law No. (30) of 2021 on Arabic

19 August 2022 Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic
https://mohap.gov.ae/ar/about-us/legal-references
Substances

English
DoH Standard for The Management of
https://www.doh.gov.ae/-
20 August 2022 Narcotics, Psychotropic and Semi-Controlled
/media/8F268D5B4B074905AF42644F6D08DC17.as
Medicinal Products of 2021;
hx

Dentists as Primary Care Providers: Expert

Opinion on Predoctoral Competencies. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fdmed.
21 May 2022
Gordon et al. Frontiers in Dental Medicine, 2021.703958
2021, VOL 2

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental

22 May 2022 Education Programs in Orthodontics and https://coda.ada.org
Dentofacial Orthopedics

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental

23 May 2022 https://coda.ada.org
Education Programs in Pediatric Dentistry

Accreditation Standards for 13 Advanced

24 May 2022 Dental Education 14 Programs in https://coda.ada.org
Periodontics

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental

25 May 2022 https://coda.ada.org
Education Programs in Prosthodontics

Accreditation Standards for

26 May 2022 Advanced Dental Education Programs in https://coda.ada.org
Endodontics

27
 Professional competence standards of
graduates of baccalaureate dental initial https://www.caa.ae/PORTALGUIDELINES/2021-05-
27 May 2022
training and education programs in the 01 UAE Undergrad
United Arab Emirates

Glossary of Periodontal Terms from the https://members.perio.org/libraries/gloss

28 May 2022
American academy of Periodontology ary?ssopc=1

American Association of Endodontists

29 May 2022 Glossary of Endodontic Terms Tenth Edition
update March 2020

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Management of dental patients with special
health care needs. The Reference Manual of
30 May 2022
Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, Ill.: American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2021:287-
94.

DoH Healthcare Workforce Bioethics https://www.doh.gov.ae/-

31 May 2024 /media/26F52980D66C430E9BB831096DB6A2D7.as
Guidelines
hx

UAE Ministry of Education-

Commission for Academic Accreditation- https://www.caa.ae/PORTALGUIDELINES/2021-05-
32 June 2024 CAA) 2021 Professional competence 01%20UAE%20Undergraduate%20Dental%20Comp
standards of graduates of baccalaureate
etency%20Framework.pdf
dental initial training and education
programs in the United Arab Emirates

Education and Training Evaluation

https://etec.gov.sa/assets/sf/n/General_Dentistry.p
33 June 2024 Commission (ETEC), Key Learning Outcomes
df
for General Dentistry Programs (2023)

Dental Council- New Zealand- 2021, Dentist https://dcnz.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Competency-

34 June 2024
competencies standards/Dentist-competencies-8Oct21.pdf

American Dental Association: Glossary of https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-

35 June 2024
Dental Administrative Terms dental-administrative-terms#pp

https://www.doh.gov.ae/-
DoH Guidelines for Standard Treatment
36 July 2024 /media/62FAA5CB6A474D59BD7E273B38170E89.as
Guidelines
hx

American Association of Endodontists- AAE https://www.aae.org/specialty/wp-

37 July 2024 Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment Form content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/CaseDifficultyAss
and Guidelines (2022) essmentFormFINAL2022.pdf

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Adolescent oral health care. The Reference
https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_
38 August 2024 Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago,
guidelines/bp_adoleshealth.pdf
Ill.: American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry; 2023:317-26.

28
 Accessed July DoH STANDARD FOR SMOKING CESSATION
39 https://www.doh.gov.ae/en
2024 SERVICES IN THE EMIRATE OF ABU DHABI

World Health Organization (1985). The

Rational Use of Drugs Report of the
Accessed October Conference of Experts. Geneva: WHO; 1985.
40 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/67438
2024 cited in: World Health Organization. (2002).
Promoting rational use of medicines: core
components. World Health Organization.

29