Iowa Admin. Code r. 650-26.4

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 650-26.4 - Public representation

All advertisements and public representations shall contain the name and address or telephone number of the practitioner who placed the ad.

(1) If one's practice is referred to in the advertisement, the ad may state either "general/family practice" or "specialist," "specializes," or "specializing." A dentist advertising or representing oneself as a specialist must comply with the other provisions of this rule.

(2) A dentist may advertise as a specialist if the dentist meets the standards set forth in this rule.

a. The dentist wishing to advertise as a specialist must be a diplomate of, or board-eligible for, a national certifying board of a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), or a diplomate of a board recognized by the American Board of Dental Specialties (ABDS); and

b. The indicated area of specialty must be board-approved. Board-approved ADA specialties are as follows: dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orofacial pain, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial radiology. Board-approved ABDS specialties are as follows: oral implantology/implant dentistry, oral medicine, orofacial pain, and anesthesiology.

(3) A certifying board may apply for a new area of specialty to become board-approved by submitting information regarding the area of specialty, including an explanation of how the proposed specialty is within the scope of practice of dentistry in Iowa, and proof of the following:

a. The proposed specialty is separate and distinct from any preexisting specialty recognized by the board or combination of board-recognized dental specialties;

b. The proposed specialty is a distinct and well-defined field which requires unique knowledge and skills beyond those commonly possessed by dental school graduates;

c. The certifying board is an independent entity that is comprised of licensed dentists, whose membership is reflective of the proposed specialty, and that is incorporated and governed solely by the licensed dentists/board members;

d. The certifying board has a permanent headquarters and staff;

e. The certifying board has issued diplomate certificates to licensed dentists for at least five years;

f. The certifying board requires passing an oral and written examination based on psychometric principles that tests the applicant's knowledge and skill in the proposed specialty;

g. The certifying board requires all dentists who seek certification in the proposed specialty to have successfully completed a specified, objectively verifiable amount of post-DDS or -DMD education and experience that is appropriate for the proposed specialty area, as determined by the board; and

h. The certifying board's website that includes online resources for the consumer to verify the certifying board's certification requirements and a list of the names and addresses of the dentists who have been awarded certification by the board shall be made available for public access.

(4) The use of the terms "specialist," "specializes," "orthodontist," "oral and maxillofacial surgeon," "oral and maxillofacial radiologist," "periodontist," "pediatric dentist," "prosthodontist," "endodontist," "oral pathologist," "public health dentist," "dental anesthesiologist," or other similar terms which imply that the dentist is a specialist may only be used by a licensed dentist meeting the requirements of this rule. A dentist who advertises as a specialist must avoid any implication that other dentists associated with the same practice are specialists unless the dentists also meet all of the requirements of this rule.

(5) The term "diplomate" or "board-certified" may only be used by a dentist who has successfully completed the qualifying examination of the appropriate certifying board of one or more of the specialties recognized by the ADA or the ABDS, or as otherwise permitted pursuant to these rules.

(6) A dentist advertising as a specialist pursuant to these rules shall include the name of the national certifying board and the name of the entity which recognizes the board in the advertisement.

(7) A dentist may advertise the areas in which the dentist practices, including, but not limited to, specialty services, using other descriptive terms such as "emphasis on ________________" or other similar terms, as long as all other provisions of these rules regarding advertising are met.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 650-26.4

Amended by IAB October 24, 2018/Volume XLI, Number 9, effective 11/28/2018

Amended by IAB November 16, 2022/Volume XLV, Number 10, effective 12/21/2022