This is just something that I'm curious about. Why do orthodontists always have M.S. in their title after the DDS or DMD?

This is just something that I'm curious about. Why do orthodontists always have M.S. in their title after the DDS or DMD?

That's becauce they have a Master of Science in dentistry. I'm not sure that it's written as M.S or M.S.D or M.S.d but that's another 3yrs of specialty post-doc.

btw, it's a very competitive specialty to get in, big bucks w/ pleasant patients to deal with!

In order to become an orthodontist, you must do a masters after you become a dentist. This is called specialization.

That is what I figured. I just thought it was strange that one would go from a doctoral degree to a masters degree in the same general field. Also, medical doctors don't get masters degrees for completing a fellowship or residency. I'm not knocking it, it just seemed a little counter-intuitive to me. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

That is what I figured. I just thought it was strange that one would go from a doctoral degree to a masters degree in the same general field. Also, medical doctors don't get masters degrees for completing a fellowship or residency. I'm not knocking it, it just seemed a little counter-intuitive to me. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

:D :D That's very funny and true! I had never thought about it that way! very ass-backward! good observation.

How does a MD (plastic surgeon) get (become) a FACS?

DANG MED STUDENTS!!!!!!!!!!!! :meanie:

Well FACCS (or FACP, FACS, etc.) is not really a degree but a membership in a professional society. Really just a fancy way of saying you are board certified in most instances.

Anyway, this dang medical student will leave now :D

Well FACCS (or FACP, FACS, etc.) is not really a degree but a membership in a professional society. Really just a fancy way of saying you are board certified in most instances.

Anyway, this dang medical student will leave now :D

that's what I thought, thanks.

That is what I figured. I just thought it was strange that one would go from a doctoral degree to a masters degree in the same general field.

It's because the DDS/DMD degree, or the MD degree for that matter, aren't technically doctoral degrees. They are first professional degrees. That's just the technical logic behind it.

Not just orthodontists. Most specialty programs offer a MS degree as part of the program. It shows that in addition to the program, you completed a research project on your own.