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In the United States

While some countries, such as Australia and the UK, may require 3 years of post-doctoral training of dentists who want to specialize in dental care for the oral health of individuals with special needs conditions, the requirements in the United States are somewhat different. Not all dental schools in the United States offer extensive training in special care dentistry as part of their dental school curriculum. Therefore, dentists who want to treat patients with special needs conditions may choose to complete either a 1-year general practice residency (GPR) or advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) residency program. A GPR program tends to be associated with a hospital and give the dentist the experience of treating patients with special care needs under general anesthesia. One such example of this specialized training is through Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Program, a Los Angeles County Hospital, in Downey, CA.

Dentists in the United States are not obliged to complete formal post-doctoral residency training because it is not required by local, state, or national governing dental boards. There are various reasons why a dentist does not complete formal post-doctoral residency training, namely, it is not a requirement to practice general dentistry in the United States. However, dentists who desire to treat patients with special needs conditions can still do so with taking continuing education courses. One option to receive training and in-depth special care education is through the organization Special Care Dental Association (SCDA). This organization also offers American Board Certification in Special Care Dentistry. Whichever path is taken, extra study and training is warranted and beneficial when choosing to care for the oral health of patients with special care conditions.