Change DMD to DDS

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sweetpea2

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Hey, I was wondering if a dentist can change from DMD and advertise as DDS. I am seriously considering a school that gives DMD but i would like to be a DDS yet i want to go to this school. I know its not a big deal and they are the same thing, but i ask because i plan to work in NY and all 4 schools in NY give DDS and most people quickly associate DDS with dentist in NY. Therefore, on a business level I would prefer the title of DDS over DMD. Is it possible to change it, or just use it in phone book and in advertisements. Thanks
 
sweetpea2 said:
Hey, I was wondering if a dentist can change from DMD and advertise as DDS. I am seriously considering a school that gives DMD but i would like to be a DDS yet i want to go to this school. I know its not a big deal and they are the same thing, but i ask because i plan to work in NY and all 4 schools in NY give DDS and most people quickly associate DDS with dentist in NY. Therefore, on a business level I would prefer the title of DDS over DMD. Is it possible to change it, or just use it in phone book and in advertisements. Thanks
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No. DMD or DDS are not just titles, but the actual degrees awarded by your particular dental school. That would be like saying you wanted to tell people you have an MA instead of an MS. They are both masters degrees, but depending on your program, you get one or the other. You can't change it.
 
No, you can't change it. Same kinda thing here at Cal during undergrad. The largest science major (actually its the largest major period) on campus (Molecular Cell Biology) awards their students a BA degree just because they belong to a particular college that awards all their undergrad majors a BA.

It's not really a big deal, but when looking for jobs, a lot of biotech companies would consider a BS and BA degree differently.

Anyways, back to the subject, DMD or DDS, I think you'd be ok.
 
tranv117 said:
No, you can't change it. Same kinda thing here at Cal during undergrad. The largest science major (actually its the largest major period) on campus (Molecular Cell Biology) awards their students a BA degree just because they belong to a particular college that awards all their undergrad majors a BA.

It's not really a big deal, but when looking for jobs, a lot of biotech companies would consider a BS and BA degree differently.

Anyways, back to the subject, DMD or DDS, I think you'd be ok.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter. Its not the degree that determines your practice, its your dental license. The license to practice dentistry between a DDS, DMD, (or any other type of dental degree for that matter) is exactly the same as long as you fullfill the your state's requirements for a license. 👍

Same with physicians. As long as you've completed a US accredited residency and hold a US state medical license it doesn't matter what type of medical degree you hold either (MD, MDCM, MBChB, MBBS, etc).

Its the license that matters.
 
Seems like mixed opinions. Would it be false advertising to say i have DDS if i really have DMD. Or does it not matter since they are the same?? Its a tricky question, Anyone know if its ok to go by DDS instead of DMD?
 
I always thought DMD sounded better than DDS. But i don't care too much as long as I receive the opportunity to obtain one or the other!
 
dent2009 said:
I always thought DMD sounded better than DDS. But i don't care too much as long as I receive the opportunity to obtain one or the other!
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I'm more interested in practicing dentistry.

I don't need an ego booster to have a DDS over a DMD or vice versa.
 
My humble advice is to stop wasting anymore time thinking about this, it could not be any lower on the list of things you should be thinking/considering/focusing on.

Also, I woudn't worry too much about people not recognizing DMD as a dentist. People don't know that kinda stuff...nor care. Your patients will either come from the yellow pages under, "Dentisty", or by referral.
 
This is a really good question that I don't know the answer to but it seems like others on here do. To the above analogy about MA and MS though... there isn't a big difference? really? There is a huge difference between BA and BS (BS takes about 8 extra upper level science courses) so I just assumed that was the case with a masters program too. I have my MS, I don't really know what an MA involves.
 
SugarNaCl said:
There is a huge difference between BA and BS (BS takes about 8 extra upper level science courses) so I just assumed that was the case with a masters program too.
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This may be true at the school you went to but isn't true across the board. I went to Cal and majored in MCB like the above poster and a BA is what you get, like it or not. It's based on the school(within the school) that offeres the program. At least that's how it works @ Cal
 
sucks for those people coming out of harvard with a DMD
 
Why would anyone intentionally want to mislead the public on the actual degree awarded? In all likelihood 90% of the patients would not remember the degree or know there are two different names for the same degree.
 
It is my understanding that in some states, you are permitted to advertise as a DDS even if you have a DMD degree. Although the degrees are technically distinct, this allows the dentist to advertise to the public in a more recognized manner.

I don't know off the top of my head which states, but I think CA isn't one of them.
 
Even if you advertise as a "DDS" wouldn't your displayed diploma and all your credentials still read "Doctor of Dental Medicine" as opposed to "Doctor of Dental Surgery"?

Why would you be misleading the public in NY? You'd still be listed under "Dentistry" if people were to search for you.
 
sweetpea2 said:
Seems like mixed opinions. Would it be false advertising to say i have DDS if i really have DMD. Or does it not matter since they are the same?? Its a tricky question, Anyone know if its ok to go by DDS instead of DMD?
Click to expand...

I would say yes, if you have a DMD you have a DMD not a DDS. They are both the same regardless where you practice so there is no need to change it.
 
I don't blame you. DDS is way better than DMD. What?
 
KOM said:
I don't blame you. DDS is way better than DMD. What?
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Lets put it this way what do they call a DDS or a DMD.... yeah you guessed it .. Doctor or Dentist ... basically it doesn't matter. But in my biased opinion DMD is way better
 
Hello,

By law you must put down the tittle of the degree that you earned. Like me, I can get into trouble if I advertise myself as DMD as opposed to my earned DDS. How likely is my chance of getting into trouble? Most likely nobody cares because there is no difference between DDS and DMD in terms of education quality and qualification. But there is a chance so why bother? DP
 
professors at Case did a study on the public's perception of DDS vs DMD (Lalumandier et al. 1999):
--at the time of the publishing, 36 of the 55 dental schools awarded DDS
--less than 20% of those interviewed knew that DDS and DMD received the same education
--of those who indicated there was a difference in training, 69% felt DMD had more training

it's in the numbers people

this may be why Case awards a DMD degree
 
that guy said:
professors at Case did a study on the public's perception of DDS vs DMD (Lalumandier et al. 1999):
--at the time of the publishing, 36 of the 55 dental schools awarded DDS
--less than 20% of those interviewed knew that DDS and DMD received the same education
--of those who indicated there was a difference in training, 69% felt DMD had more training

it's in the numbers people

this may be why Case awards a DMD degree
Click to expand...

DMD sounds more Dr like then DDS... but again I am biased
 
sweetpea2 said:
Hey, I was wondering if a dentist can change from DMD and advertise as DDS. I am seriously considering a school that gives DMD but i would like to be a DDS yet i want to go to this school. I know its not a big deal and they are the same thing, but i ask because i plan to work in NY and all 4 schools in NY give DDS and most people quickly associate DDS with dentist in NY. Therefore, on a business level I would prefer the title of DDS over DMD. Is it possible to change it, or just use it in phone book and in advertisements. Thanks
Click to expand...

You cant change the degree you were awarded, but it doesnt matter. I would not advertise dds if you have dmd, bc while some people have done it, I always have doubts about people who use deceptive tactics to get patients. I mean who can you day it was a typo knowing that you did it on purpose, if you mislead people that way how is will you mislead them. Thats my point you dont want people to think you are misleading them and get a bad reputation. Also marketing comes in many forms, word of mouth is the best and how you treat your patients will be your best marketing. If dmd still concerns you then in your advertisement leave it out and use your title. Dr John Doe, instead of John Doe DMD. either way is acceptable. not many people realize but your not suppose to combine the two, eg Dr John Doe DDS. lol I have a couple of friends that do that, until I tell them its one or the other. Same with lawyers John Doe esq, or John Doe JD.
 
I wasnt aware there was any difference. i thought it was just what the school offers based on the title they used from years before.
 
Voltron2010 said:
You cant change the degree you were awarded, but it doesnt matter. I would not advertise dds if you have dmd, bc while some people have done it, I always have doubts about people who use deceptive tactics to get patients. I mean who can you day it was a typo knowing that you did it on purpose, if you mislead people that way how is will you mislead them. Thats my point you dont want people to think you are misleading them and get a bad reputation. Also marketing comes in many forms, word of mouth is the best and how you treat your patients will be your best marketing. If dmd still concerns you then in your advertisement leave it out and use your title. Dr John Doe, instead of John Doe DMD. either way is acceptable. not many people realize but your not suppose to combine the two, eg Dr John Doe DDS. lol I have a couple of friends that do that, until I tell them its one or the other. Same with lawyers John Doe esq, or John Doe JD.
Click to expand...
fine work reviving the thread 👍
 
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