What is a general dentist (DDS or DMD)?
Upon graduation from dental school – to become a general dentist – a dentist is awarded either a DDS or a DMD degree: DDS – doctor of dental surgery DMD – doctor of dental medicine There is no difference between the two degrees – both dentists have received the same education and completed the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. The difference is merely semantics – some institutions award a DMD degree, while others award a DDS degree. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate college education plus four years of dental school are required to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Specialized areas of dentistry: Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist. Dental/oral health specialists include the following: • pediatric dentist A
