A periodontist is a dental specialist who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of implants.

Specialists in Periodontology receive extensive training in these areas and have an additional education of at least three years after the dental degree.

Often dentists refer patients to a specialist in Periodontology when the disease is advanced. However, you do not need a referral to see a periodontist. If you have any doubt you can consult a periodontist directly.

To find a specialist in Hong Kong you can contact the Dental Council of Hong Kong, at Web site http://www.dchk.org.hk/list/list3.htm and the Hong Kong Dental Association at Web site http://www.dchk.org.hk/list/re-a1.htm . You can also access the Web site of the American Academy of Periodontology at http://www.perio.org/consumer/1a.html for a geographical listing of periodontists. In addition, you can check the specialist list of the General Dental Council of the United Kingdom at http://www.gdc-uk.org/search_spec.html which includes periodontists who are qualified and work in Hong Kong.