The dental specialty certification from the Royal College of Dentists of Canada shows that a dentist has reached a national standard in a recognized specialty. It is voluntary, but many specialists in fields like oral surgery, orthodontics and periodontics choose to earn it.
Official website ↗This certification is for dentists who have finished advanced specialty training and want national recognition of their skills. It is issued by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. It is used by oral surgeons, orthodontists and periodontists.
You do not need this certification to work in Canada. Provincial and territorial regulators set the rules for who can practise and who can use a specialist title. Still, the credential can build trust with patients and referring dentists. It can also help your career, since it shows you have met a national standard that is respected across the country.
The National Dental Specialty Examination tests whether a dentist has the knowledge and judgment expected of a specialist. It is mainly a written exam. It covers the science and clinical skills of the specialty. Most candidates study for a few months and use their specialty training as the base for their preparation.
Check with the Royal College of Dentists of Canada for the current rules on keeping your certification active. Whatever the credential requires, you must also keep your licence in good standing with your provincial or territorial dental regulator and follow its continuing education rules.