Nondentistry

Nondentistry is a term used in some contexts to refer to all health care activities that do not involve the practice of dentistry. It is not an established professional discipline and does not denote a formal specialty or separate licensing framework. Instead, it is an umbrella concept used in policy discussions, resource allocation, and educational planning to distinguish dental services from other health care services.

Scope and usage: In practical terms, nondentistry encompasses medical care provided by physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and allied health professionals, as well as public health and research activities that are not specific to dental practice. The term is sometimes invoked when discussing integrated care models, where oral health is addressed alongside general health, and where coordination between dental and nondental services is important.

Overlap with dentistry: There is overlap in areas such as orofacial pain, sleep apnea, and craniofacial trauma, where both dental and medical professionals may be involved. In such cases, care is provided within a team-based approach rather than under a single discipline.

Regulation and education: Because nondentistry is not a formal field, regulations apply to individual professions rather than to a category called nondentistry. Dental professionals may work in hospital settings or in collaborative practice with nondental clinicians, and policy discussions may address how to integrate these services more effectively.

Notes: The term's usage varies by country and field, and it can be controversial if used to minimize the importance of dentistry in overall health.