(a) A diplomate of a specialty board approved by the American Dental Association;
(b) A dentist who has complied with requirements as specified by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, or its successor council or commission, for graduate training in the specialty sought to be announced, the training to meet the educational or training requirement for diplomate status;
(c) A dentist who has announced a specialized practice in one (1) of the special areas of dental practice within the State of Mississippi for at least five (5) years before January 1, 1970, and who meets the requirements elsewhere in this section may be granted a specialist certificate upon application and payment only of an initial specialty registration fee.