The acronym DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery, which is a professional doctoral degree that qualifies an individual to practice as a general dentist. This title signifies that the holder has completed a rigorous program of study and training focused on the health of the oral cavity and its associated structures. A DDS is one of the two primary degrees awarded to dentists in the United States, representing the foundational credentials for professionals responsible for patient diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases.
Defining the Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree
A Doctor of Dental Surgery is a highly trained healthcare provider focused on the overall oral health and wellness of patients. Their primary scope of practice involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions affecting the teeth, gums, tongue, lips, jaws, and face. General dentists who hold the DDS degree perform a wide range of procedures designed to maintain both the function and aesthetics of the mouth. This includes common restorative work such as placing fillings, performing root canals, and conducting simple tooth extractions.
They are also skilled in creating and fitting prosthetics, including crowns, bridges, and dentures, to replace missing or damaged dentition. Beyond these procedures, a DDS is responsible for routine preventative care, such as professional cleanings and administering local anesthesia. Their training emphasizes the link between oral health and the body’s systemic health, positioning them as primary care providers for the mouth and surrounding structures.
The Educational Requirements and Licensure
Earning the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree requires a significant academic commitment that begins before dental school. Prospective students must first complete a bachelor’s degree, typically concentrating in life sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics, to meet pre-dental requirements. Following undergraduate studies, the rigorous four-year DDS program must be completed at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This professional program combines extensive didactic coursework in subjects like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology with intensive hands-on clinical training.
After graduation, the DDS must secure a license to practice by passing several examinations. All candidates must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), a comprehensive written assessment of dental knowledge. Licensure also requires a clinical assessment, often administered by a third-party testing agency, which evaluates the candidate’s practical skills in a clinical setting. State boards of dentistry set the final requirements for licensure, including a jurisprudence exam, ensuring the DDS is legally qualified to provide patient care in that jurisdiction.
DDS Versus Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and the DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) represent the exact same level of education, training, and clinical competency. Both degrees certify that the holder has graduated from an accredited dental program and is qualified to practice general dentistry. The choice between conferring a DDS or a DMD is purely institutional, determined by the university granting the degree, not a reflection of any difference in curriculum or scope of practice.
The distinction originated historically. The first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (established 1840), awarded the DDS degree. Later, when Harvard established its dental school in 1867, it chose the Latin designation Doctoris Medicinae Dentalis, translating to Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
The American Dental Association (ADA) confirms that the educational requirements for both degrees are identical, and both titles allow a dentist to perform the same procedures. Approximately two-thirds of U.S. dental schools award the DDS, while the remaining third award the DMD. Patients should not view one credential as superior to the other, as both confirm the dentist is fully qualified and licensed to provide comprehensive oral healthcare.