I strongly oppose this action as it is miss leading to the public and and insult to those that have trained in those specialties recognized by the ADA and specialty boards and to patients that seek out the expertise of specialist for a specified treatment. In medicine and dentistry physicians and dentist seek out specialty training to become experts in a specific field and patients seek out those specialties knowing they are getting highly trained experts in a specific modality. I would ask those who are in favor of this amendment "would you go to a physician who took a weekend course on heart surgery do your by pass procedure?" I would think not. If we as dentist go down this road to dilute the word specialist as it was meant to mean in dentistry and medicine we are doing a great diservice to the public. As health care provides our primary mission is to serve the public and provide the highest level of care. Having been in education for over 35 years and trained over a hundred residents and given multiple surgical CE to general dentist I can ensure you that the level of training differs. Hence, the care provided to the public differs. I would not be opposed to someone  doing a specific procedure if they have had good CE but I do oppose someone calling themselves a specialist unless they have had advanced training in an ADA accredited program. The ADA has established the The ADA Commision on Specialty Recognition and I would suggest Virginia consider the results from this governing body to see what it decides.  I would hope VIriginia has the ethical and moral fortitude to make the right decision on this proposed legistration and not make the change to Specialty Advertising in VIrginia. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.