The two designations used for licensed dentists in the United States are the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). These titles are conferred upon students who successfully complete their post-graduate dental education. The public often sees these different initials and assumes there is a difference in training or qualifications. This perceived difference is, however, purely a matter of nomenclature chosen by the university.
Equivalence in Practice and Training
There is no functional distinction in the professional training, curriculum, or scope of practice between a dentist holding a DDS degree and one holding a DMD degree. Both pathways require the same four years of rigorous post-graduate education following a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum covers identical subjects, including oral pathology, anatomy, biochemistry, and pharmacology, along with clinical and laboratory training.
The quality of education is maintained by a single, unified oversight body. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredits all dental programs in the U.S., regardless of the degree awarded. CODA sets the standards that every dental school must meet to ensure graduates possess the same core competencies required to practice general dentistry.
Historical and Institutional Distinction
The existence of two separate degree titles stems from a historical decision made by a single institution in the mid-19th century. The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) was the first dental degree established, originally awarded by the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery starting in 1840. For several decades, DDS was the standard degree conferred by dental schools across the country.
The distinction began in 1867 when Harvard University founded its dental school. Harvard maintained a tradition of granting all its degrees using Latin nomenclature, leading them to create the title Dentariae Medicinae Doctoris. This translates to Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, resulting in the abbreviation DMD. Today, the decision to grant a DDS or a DMD remains entirely institutional, with approximately one-third of accredited dental schools choosing the DMD designation.
Professional Licensing and Career Paths
The degree title a dentist holds has no bearing on their ability to obtain a license or pursue a specialized career path. All state licensing boards treat the DDS and DMD degrees as equivalent professional qualifications for the practice of general dentistry. Graduates of either program must successfully pass the same national written examination, the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), and a state or regional clinical examination to gain licensure.
Both DDS and DMD holders are eligible to apply for the same advanced education programs and residency pathways in specialized fields. Whether a dentist wishes to become an orthodontist, oral surgeon, or periodontist, the degree earned does not impact their application.