History of the TLD

.dental is a generic top-level domain created as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was delegated in 2014 and became generally available in 2015. The extension is intended for the dental industry to provide a clear and professional online identity.

Main Use and Industry Position

The .dental domain is used by dentists, dental practices, dental suppliers, hygienists, educators, and others associated with dentistry. It communicates the nature of the business clearly and strengthens professional branding within the industry.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs such as .com, .net, or .org, .dental is industry-specific and targeted. It is more relevant for dental professionals than general-purpose domains. Compared with other niche extensions like .health or .clinic, it is dedicated explicitly to dentistry.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Industry-specific branding that clearly identifies dental services
  

• Helps attract and reassure patients by aligning domain with professional practice
  

• Open for public registration with broad eligibility
  

Cons

• Lower mainstream recognition compared to .com or other legacy extensions
  

• Potentially higher registration and renewal cost than generic TLDs
  

• Visitors unfamiliar with niche extensions may default to a .com version
  
  

Registration Criteria

.dental is open to all registrants. There are no specific professional credential requirements. Standard domain registration rules apply including character limits and permissible characters.

Summary

.dental is a generic top-level domain designed for dental professionals and related businesses. It enhances branding by aligning the domain with dental services. The extension is open to general registration and offers an industry focus, although it does not have the broad recognition of legacy TLDs.