What does DWSI mean in UNCLASSIFIED

Dentists with a Special Interest (DWSI) are highly experienced dentists who have undertaken additional training and education in a particular field of dentistry, such as paediatric dentistry, implants and orthodontics. They may also be known as ‘specialist' or 'speciality' dentists.

If you have an issue with your teeth that requires specialist care and attention, then it is likely that visiting a DWSI is the best option for you. Your regular dentist should be able to advise whether seeing someone with specialised skills and knowledge would be beneficial.

Becoming a DWSI requires completion of additional postgraduate study, as well as successful completion of an assessment process in order to demonstrate competency in their chosen speciality. The individual must also hold valid registration with the dental regulator.

Seeing a DWSI may involve higher costs than seeing your regular dentist due to their advanced training and qualifications. However, it is important to remember that this additional cost may provide access to optimal treatment outcomes for certain dental issues that otherwise could not be addressed.

No, each DWSI will usually offer treatments related specifically to their area of expertise eg periodontal treatments (gum diseases), orthodontic treatments (braces) or implant placement etc. It is worth checking specific details about services offered by individual DWSIs before making an appointment.

DWSIs typically have advanced qualifications beyond those expected from general practitioners, such as Diplomas or Masters degrees at Master's level in their chosen areas of dentistry or specialty medical fields such as oral medicine or maxillofacial surgery. These qualifications are awarded when sufficient experience and competency has been demonstrated through an extensive period of practice and rigorous examinations passed at universities qualified by the General Dental Council (GDC).

Some private practices employ DWSIs while other independent experts may be based at acute hospitals or universities offering limited private/NHS provision depending on treatment requirements e.g paediatric dentistry often includes both NHS provision on NHS contracts alongside some additional private surgeries too.

Many DWSIs will tend to focus on one particular area such as orthodontics, endodontics (root treatments), maxillo-facial surgery etc., but many also provide additional services across multiple areas of expertise depending on patient need/benefit.