Adding MS after DDS or DMD

[kponenation]

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I just would like to know what the general rule is when it comes to adding a MS degrees (non dentistry related MS) after your DDS degree. Does it have to be a MS in dentistry inorder to list oneself as John Doe, DDS, MS?

 

[deleted480308]

It's pretentious to add non relevant degrees to your signature beyond your highest degree

 

[CMistry]

It's pretentious to add non relevant degrees to your signature beyond your highest degree

This, but many people do it anyways.

 

[Shunwei]

I just would like to know what the general rule is when it comes to adding a MS degrees (non dentistry related MS) after your DDS degree. Does it have to be a MS in dentistry inorder to list oneself as John Doe, DDS, MS?

Some specialists do it, but I agree it is kind of useless and sort of a brag. I have a PhD from my previous career and never thought about adding it behind my name. I always thought it would be too stiff to have it since I am a dentist now. You only need one degree to do your work, unless you do dental research of course.

 

[Sublimazing]

You should include the MS/MSD/PhD if you obtained it while specializing/dental school...but anything else is usually unnecessary and superfluous

 

[Daurang]

99.9% of the typical patient won't care and don't care. Put whatever you title you want if you need to feel better, or to attract that 0.1% that is so important to you. I don't even know what that extra BS and MS and whatever else after that DMD/DDS is supposed to mean.

 

[Sublimazing]

99.9% of the typical patient won't care and don't care. Put whatever you title you want if you need to feel better, or to attract that 0.1% that is so important to you. I don't even know what that extra BS and MS and whatever else after that DMD/DDS is supposed to mean.

The MS designates that they specialized with specific research in their field of specialty.

I am not going to pretend that the MS indicates they're a great clinician or is a deal-breaker for referrals, but all things equal an MS from a respectable institution indicates they put in the extra effort into their specialty over the guy who showed up 9-5 and then went home without any extra effort.

If I went into pedo, perio, ortho, or endo and spents hours and hours of my life into research furthering my specialty and my understanding of that specialty I'd want that effort shown on my business card

 

[ktran17]

good :MS related to dentistry
bad : MS not related to dentistry

brevity is the soul of the wit =)

 

[ChrisM07]

The MS designates that they specialized with specific research in their field of specialty.

I am not going to pretend that the MS indicates they're a great clinician or is a deal-breaker for referrals, but all things equal an MS from a respectable institution indicates they put in the extra effort into their specialty over the guy who showed up 9-5 and then went home without any extra effort.

If I went into pedo, perio, ortho, or endo and spents hours and hours of my life into research furthering my specialty and my understanding of that specialty I'd want that effort shown on my business card

Agreed. I don't see what the big deal is. BUT I can see where everyone else is coming from. I would, however, leave the B.S. degree out.

 

[jenfromdablock]

What about MPH?

 

[Ferneezy]

to the dentists in this thread, what about flexing the professional associations one can rack up while in practice? following his name, a local guy tosses in all this: DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FADI, DICOI, DADIA

it seems a bit much

 

[Firm]

It's against the laws & rules in most if not all states to add titles that are unrelated to your profession. ie MBA, You can add FAGD, MS, CGS or Ph.D

 

[Sublimazing]

It's against the laws & rules in most if not all states to add titles that are unrelated to your profession. ie MBA, You can add FAGD, MS, CGS or Ph.D

There are some dental schools that offer a combined DDS/MBA.

Are we allowed to post Xbox achievements? Because i beat halo 3 on legendary and my patients need to know that.

 

[Daurang]

Don't forget to add your Angry Bird and Candy Crush achievement levels.

 

[sgv]

edit: i'm a child...

 

[steiner2]

Does it have to be a MS in dentistry inorder to list oneself as John Doe, DDS, MS?

Well, if you want to do research, become an administrator, or teach, you can strive for having MPH or PhD at the end. It will make you stand out more. I am guessing it helps you stand out more when you apply to a residency too, all things being equal. Also, many post-grad programs award the MS designation to pre-meds/dents who want to bolster their GPA to apply to med/dental school.

 

[diasIItema]

What about MPH?

Most academic dentists will add MPH or PhD behind their title. Private practice usually reserves MS if its specialty related (e.g. ortho). I would put MPH in the title as it relates to academia, but in advertising one's practice its obviously irrelevant.

 

[diasIItema]

to the dentists in this thread, what about flexing the professional associations one can rack up while in practice? following his name, a local guy tosses in all this: DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FADI, DICOI, DADIA

it seems a bit much

I have a professor in dental school who literally had 5 titles behind her name in ALL of her PPTs and syllabi. Needless to say, students were NOT impressed.

 

[Shunwei]

Whenever I see someone who lists so many letters I am damn sure this person probably has a personality that I'd like to avoid.