The Deal with Dentists
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund receives many calls regarding requests for referrals for dentists and complaints about services provided by a dentist. The following information may help you in making the important decision of choosing a dentist and receiving the quality dental care you deserve.
For liability purposes, the Benefit Fund cannot refer members to a specific dentist, either participating or non-participating. The participating provider listing contains the names of licensed dentists who have agreed to accept the EBF dental paln allowances as payment in full for covered services. The best way to find a dentist is to ask a co-worker, neighbor, friend or relative about their dental experiences and if they would recommend their dentist to you.
License is Important
A dentist must be licensed by the state Board of Regents to provide services in New York State. Many times members ask if there is a difference between DMD or DDS degrees. DMD stands for doctor of dental medicine and DDS stands for doctor of dental surgery. They are equivalent as far as training is concerned. Both are doctoral degrees and the degree received is dependent on the dental school attended. New York licensed dentists have completed a four-year program in dentistry following a minimum of two years of college. New York dentists must pass a state approved examination and are required to take continuing education courses regularly.
Dental hygienists must also be licensed by New York State to provide services. RDH stands for registered dental hygienist, which means that individual has earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited dental hygiene program, and has taken the required continuing educatin courses.
Dental professionals must re-register every three years to practice in New York State. All dentists, dental hygienist and certified dental assistants must display a current state registration certificate in the dental facility where he or she is employed.
Dentists who are considered specialists have additional education in the field that they practice. Some specialists you may encouter are:
Endodontists: who perform procedures such as root canals.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: diagnose and treat injuries and defects of the head, neck, face and jaws and perform difficult examinations.
Orthodontists: treat problems relating to misaligned teeth.
Pediatric dentists: specialize in treating children and adolescents.
Periodontists: diagnose and treat diseases of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth.
Prosthodontists: replace missing teeth with fixed or removable substitutes such as dentures, bridges and crowns. Because of the additional schooling and training required to become a specialist, the Employee Benefit Fund allows certain specialists to charge over and above fee allowances. These doctors are noted in our directory with a double asterisks after their names.