Dds/dmd

[m3power]

---

Members don't see this ad.

DDS and DMD are the same right?
If not, what's the difference between the two?

Thanks....

 

[m3power]

But doesn't the dough get the sexys??

 

[PENN Diddy]

I think DMD is an east coast thing & DDS is a west coast thing.

 

[Reed1978]

dough does get the sexys...but so does personality, charm, sense of humor and...actually...nevermind. dough gets sexys.

 

[shootin4par]

Well here's the thing.

DDS is the original designation for someone who completed a doctorate in dental surgery. This was the degree award to dentists all over the country until the 40's when Harvard changed their award degree to DMD=Doctor of Dental Medicine. In fact Harvard was the first school to emphasize that dentistry was a specialty of medicine, not a seperate branch like pharmacy (for example). After Harvard made the change, I believe Penn came next and many schools also followed. Essentially, it comes down to being a dentist who studied on the East coast (DMD) versus a dentist who studied on the West Coast (DDS), although some east coast schools still have DDS.

All in all, ITS THE SAME THING. Unlike MD and DO, DDS and DMD don't have different approaches to dentistry, just different abbreviations.

And both are damn sexy..........

 

[itsmesteve]

Actually the choice between giving the DDS or DMD degrees is not decided by the individual schools. It is a STATE thing. So, for instance, all the schools in New York ( NYU, Columbia, Stony Brook etc.) give the DDS degree. In Mass. they give the DMD, In PA. they also give DMD.

Personally, I think the states that changed to the DMD were placading dentists that were not proud enough about being a dentist, but who wanted a physician sounding degree. I think the differences in these degrees just confuses the lay population when they see dentists who practice in the same areas having different degrees.

 

[Supernumerary]

Personally, I think the states that changed to the DMD were placading dentists that were not proud enough about being a dentist, but who wanted a physician sounding degree. I think the differences in these degrees just confuses the lay population when they see dentists who practice in the same areas having different degrees.

Nope, sorry. Shootin4par was mostly right. Here's a little somethin for ya.

Many people, including dentists, are confused over the use of the D.D.S. and D.M.D. degrees. Today, some dental schools grant a D.D.S. degree while others prefer to award the D.M.D. degree instead. The training the dentists receive is very similar but the degree granted is different.

Many people, including dentists, are confused over the use of the D.D.S. and D.M.D. degrees. Today, some dental schools grant a D.D.S. degree while others prefer to award the D.M.D. degree instead. The training the dentists receive is very similar but the degree granted is different.

Ancient medicine was divided into two groups: 1) the surgery group that dealt with treating diseases and injuries using instruments; and 2) the medicine group that dealt with healing diseases using internal remedies. Originally there was only the D.D.S. degree which stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery.

This all changed in 1867 when Harvard University added a dental school. Harvard University only grants degrees in Latin. Harvard did not adopt the D.D.S. or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree because the Latin translation was Chirurgae Dentium Doctoris or C.D.D. The people at Harvard thought that C.D.D. was cumbersome. A Latin scholar was consulted. The scholar suggested the ancient Medicinae Doctor be prefixed with Dentariae. This is how the D.M.D. or "Dentariae Medicinae Doctor" degree was started. (Congratulations! Now you probably know more Latin than most dentists!)

At the turn of the century, there were 57 dental schools in the U.S. but only Harvard and Oregon awarded the D.M.D. In 1989, 23 of the 66 North American dental schools awarded the D.M.D. I think about half the Canadian dental schools now award the D.M.D. degree.

The American Dental Association (A.D.A.) is aware of the public confusion surrounding these degrees. The A.D.A. has tried on several occasions to reduce this confusion. Several sample proposals include: 1) eliminate the D.M.D. degree; 2) eliminate the D.D.S. degree; or 3) eliminate both degrees and invent a brand new degree that every dental school will agree to use. Unfortunately, this confusion may be with us for a long time. When emotional factors like school pride and tradition arise, it is difficult to find a compromise.

 

[Pi__Guy1]

defintely not a STATE thing. Illinois has 2 state schools. SIU awards DMD, UIC awards DDS

 

[shootin4par]

Super--

Man i thought i was so close! arghhh i;ll get ya!!
jk
😀 😀

 

[b-hahn]

UNLV is a DMD degree, which is a Western region school.

 

[Chipper]

from what i heard, i don't know if this is true- DMD students take classes with the Medical students during the first two years whereas DDS students don't. I think both curriculums are essentially the same, but the DMD students have more exposure to the entire body instead of focusing on head/neck. someone correct me if i'm wrong.


chipper😀

 

[ItsGavinC]

Sorry, Chipper, but that is far from the truth.

The decision is not a state one, it is not a geographic one, and it is not one based on a difference in curriculums.

The current degrees are awarded based on tradition. It would actually be nice if schools would ALL go to the DDS degree, and eliminate any confusion there is among the general public.

But on that note, I doubt there is much confusion among the general public, mostly just among pre-dental students 😀

 

[ItsGavinC]

As an interesting tidbit: the California State Board of Dental Examiners uses "DDS" in their communication with ALL dentists, irregardless of the dentists holding the DDS or DMD degree. In the eyes of the board, the dental degree is DDS, no matter what degree was conferred upon graduation.

 

[Chipper]

thanks for the clarification Gavin.

 

[Energon]

DDS was the original nomination started by the first dental school ever: University on Maryland. However Harvard wanted to be distinct and sarted to bestow the DMD. They are both the same in all facets of Dental Education. As far as the curriculum: with med school, independent faculty, borrowed faculty, that is all dependent on the school itself. Also geography, status of the schools really dont factor for the degree granted.

The Jul 2002 ASDA newsletter covers this issue in great detail.

 

[gryffindor]

Leave it to Harvard to throw this whole thing off. An interesting anecdote - During a tour of their campus, an undergraduate pointed out that on all of their buildings, there are two sets of Roman numerals engraved. So you look up and see "Edificata Ann. Dom. MM Ann. Coll. Harv. CCC." The first one, 2000 (MM), is the year it was built in the year of our Lord (A.D. - the date we normally use). The next one, 300 (CCC) is according to the year Harvard college was founded.

Geez. Latin. But no hard feelings toward Harvard. If they take me for post-grad, I'll be on the next flight out to Boston!