subject: What Is The Difference Between Dds And Dmd? [print this page] Most dentists in Palatine will be asked at one point in time what the difference is between a DDS and a DMD. These are the two degrees which are issued to a dentist upon graduation from their school. Many patients wonder about the differences between these two types of degrees. Many worry that they aren't going to get the kind of care that they need if they go to the wrong type of dentist, but the truth is that the difference between these two degree types is not very important at all.
In fact, according to the American Dental Association, there is actually no difference at all between these two degrees. When posed with questions about any actual differences between holders of the two degrees, the ADA has dismissed the question as a matter of semantics. It's easy for patients to get overwhelmed by all the abbreviations which state a doctor's credentials, but in the case of a dentist, whether you have a DDS, or a DMD, you are going to be getting the same level of care.
The DDS stands for the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The DMD stands for a Dental Medicine Degree. The two degrees are basically the same. They both enable the degree holder to become a standard general dentist. Neither entitles the practitioner to claim any specialty, as specialties must become certified by undergoing additional training beyond either degree.
In either case, the dentist will have attended at least four years of dental school to graduate. The degrees are given equal credit by the ADA, and each of the 50 states will allow a dentist to practice no matter which of the two degrees the dentist holds.
The trend at more and more medical schools is to award a DDS now. There are still several schools who award a DMD instead though, and it is important that people realize that these doctors are in no way less qualified. They have received the same level of education, and are accredited in the exact same manner by the American Dental Association. If you're looking for a certain type of dentist, you don't need to concern yourself with whether or not they have a DDS or DMD, and instead look for board certifications in the specialty you're looking for, such as a pediatric dentist or a periodontist. Either a DDS or DMD can go on to achieve any of the ADA recognized specialties.
