Hoofdhalsdentaal

Hoofdhalsdentaal is a proposed or emerging discipline at the intersection of dentistry and head-and-neck medicine. It encompasses the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, jaws, temporomandibular joint, oral mucosa, and related structures within the head and neck region. The aim is an integrated approach to craniofacial health, combining dental care with maxillofacial considerations.

The term combines hoofdhals, a Dutch compound meaning head and neck, with dentaal, meaning dental, reflecting its scope across the craniofacial region.

Scope and applications include imaging, diagnostics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, implantology, periodontics, endodontics, oral medicine, and maxillofacial surgery. It addresses conditions such as malocclusion, temporomandibular disorders, dental agenesis, craniofacial anomalies, trauma, and cancer-related dental management. It emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration with otolaryngology (ENT), oncology, radiology, and speech pathology.

Practice and education envisioned within hoofdhalsdentaal involve licensed dentists with advanced specialization in orofacial or craniofacial dentistry, or allied maxillofacial clinicians. Training paths may include dual degree programs or certification in orofacial dentistry, with ongoing collaboration in multidisciplinary clinics.

Status and reception: The term is described in theoretical discussions and some specialty literature as a holistic framing for craniofacial dental health, rather than a standardized, globally recognized subspecialty. The exact scope varies by country and institution.