What Is a General Dentist?
A general dentist, sometimes called a general dental practitioner, is someone who holds a baseline qualification in dentistry. This could be a BDS, a BChD, a DDS or another nationally recognised dental qualification. It is typically gained through a 5 to 7 year university course, and all dentists start at the general dentist level.
Moving Beyond the General Dentist Level
The general dentist level is the first stage before moving on to more specialist or wider training in subjects that are not taught to general dentists, such as:
- Occlusion
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Advanced caries and decay management
- Crown lengthening, i.e. gum lifts
- Gum recession grafting
- Dental implantology
- Aesthetic and restorative cosmetic dentistry
All of these subjects require specific training, in various formats, in order to change the title from general dentist to dentist with a special interest or dental specialist.
Does a General Dentist Only Do Minor and Simple Procedures?
No, this is not true. It reflects the state of specialist training in the UK and the USA, where not all dental procedures are covered by a specific specialist training pathway. As a result, even the most highly trained non-specialists are still officially regarded as general dentists.
This is a disservice to dentists who have trained especially highly, and who have sometimes done more training and more teaching than specialists. The specific outcomes, skill set and knowledge base of a dentist are more relevant than whether they hold the status of specialist or general dentist.
The typical areas that have no specialist training and are not recognised as specialties by the UK and USA regulators are:
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Aesthetic dentistry
- Implantology
- Clear aligner therapy
These areas are not taught at dental school and are not subject to a specialist training pathway. This reflects the historical way they were introduced into dentistry: they are relatively new concepts, and they draw on elements of several specialist areas.
For example, dental implantology combines periodontics, oral surgery and prosthodontics, so it could never be a single monospecialty. It is a combination of those fields. This type of treatment is therefore often best provided by a general dentist who is sufficiently trained and knowledgeable in all three.
What to Look For When Choosing a Dentist
The conclusion is that you should consider not the title of the dentist but the specific training they have done and the results they can achieve. Look for:
- Before and after photographs
- A list of testimonials
- Whether they have been published in peer-reviewed journals, and on which subjects
This will likely give you the best indication of what they are truly an expert in, independent of their status as a specialist or general dentist.
How Can a General Dentist Do Complex Procedures?
Typical training at undergraduate level is focused on preserving health: stabilising tooth decay, managing gum disease and screening for oral cancer. All of these treatments fit within the basic remit of a general dental practitioner.
Complex procedures can be defined as anything relating to:
- Tooth replacement
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Managing tooth wear
- Managing malocclusion, that is, crooked teeth
- Severe gum disease
- Gum recession
- Gummy smiles
- Issues relating to dental trauma
A general dentist, by title, can manage complex procedures depending on the training they undertake after graduating from dental school. Their title may remain general dentist, or it may be changed to cosmetic dentist, restorative dentist or dentist with a special interest.
What matters is that the title is less relevant than the training and proven outcomes of the dentist themselves. Within the profession, we focus less on specialist versus general dentist status and more on:
- Peer-reviewed publications
- Documented cases and recall over a long period of time
- Presence on the teaching circuit for dentistry
- Expert witness positions in dental legal cases
Our Team at Marylebone Smile Clinic
At Marylebone Smile Clinic, we are all general dentists with special interests and high-level training in cosmetic, aesthetic and restorative dentistry, and implantology. Our wider interests include:
- Gummy smile makeovers
- Tooth contouring
- Gum recession grafts
- Bone grafting for dental implants
- Gum grafting for dental implants
Our experience includes acting as expert witnesses in dental legal cases. We are peer-reviewed and published in multiple journals, including the International Journal for Cosmetic Dentistry and the International Journal for Aesthetic Dentistry, and our work has been recognised by the profession through accreditation by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Contact our team to discuss whether we can help you achieve your dream smile today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are general dentists worse than specialist dentists?
No, not necessarily. A general dentist can be highly trained and highly proficient. You must assess the individual in front of you, not their specialist or general dentist status.
As described in this article, we have a historical and largely archaic system of labelling specialist status. It does not necessarily relate to clinical proficiency, nor is it a guarantee of good, stable, aesthetic or functional outcomes.
Who are the best general dentists?
The best general dentists may be defined as those who are members of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry or the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and especially those who are accredited or fellows. These latter two categories are people who have gone through rigorous assessment and independent oversight of their work, and have been verified as working to the very highest standards across Europe.
Are general dentists more expensive than specialist dentists?
Typically, no. General dentists are usually more cost-effective than specialist dentists.
Where can I search for specialist dentists?
You can use a Google search with the term “specialist” after your search term, or you can go to the General Dental Council website, search by dentist name, and look at their specialist titles where listed.
Dentist at Marylebone Smile Clinic and an Accredited member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
GDC number: 258353. Last reviewed: 9 November 2026