Restorative Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated effective management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and the rehabilitation of the dentition to functional and aesthetic requirements of the individual. In the UK restorative dentistry is legally recognized as a specialty under EU directive.

Restorative Dentistry encompasses the dental specialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics and its foundation is based upon how these interact in cases requiring multifaceted care. Restorative Dentistry is largely based within the NHS hospital service treating priority patient groups. These include patients with congenital abnormalities (such as cleft palate and hypodontia), patients who have suffered orofacial trauma and those being treated for cancer in the head and neck region. These are treated in a multidisciplinary team approach with other hospital based dental specialties Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Restorative Dentistry has been recognised as a specialty in the UK since 1973. In that year the Joint Committee for Higher Training in Dentistry (JCHTD) formally requested, and obtained, from the then Department of Health, recognition of Restorative Dentistry as the third hospital dental specialty. Training programmes in Restorative Dentistry were established by the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC), a sub-committee of the JCHTD, in 1976 and at that time most trainees received 4-year post-fellowship training prior to accreditation and eligibility to apply for NHS Consultant posts.

The British Society for Restorative Dentistry is widely recognized as the voice of restorative dentistry in the UK.