Anesthesiology Recognized as a Dental Specialty

Kimber Solana, Mar 12, 2019, ADA News

Summarized by: David Minoli

175 years after Horace Wells had his own third molars extracted to prove the anesthetic effects of nitrous oxide and bring a focus to reliable and safe pain control, the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards has officially recognized Dental Anesthesiology as the tenth dental specialty. The National Commission describes specialties’ role: “to protect the public, nurture the art and science of dentistry and improve the quality of care”. Given the importance of competently and compassionately administered anesthesia in treating the very young, and those afflicted by developmental disabilities, the recognition of anesthesiology as a specialty holds great importance in making dentistry more accessible to those populations who need it most. With official status will likely come greater awareness and acceptance of anesthesiologists as an integral part of the oral healthcare team - congratulations and thanks are in order to those who have worked hard for many years in order to get the recognition they deserved.