DDS or DMD

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Which do you prefer?

  • DMD

    Votes: 34 27.0%

  • DDS

    Votes: 54 42.9%

  • I Dont Care, Just Make Me a Dentist!

    Votes: 38 30.2%
  • Total voters
    126
S

Selso2109

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
152
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
I'm sure this has done before, but I'm bored so lets do a poll. What title do you prefer? Sure they are all the same, but it's ok to have a preferance.

DMD is catching up, GO DMD!
 
DDS > DMD

DDS is for the kool dentists. 😛
 
I've always like DMD better for some reason...
 
DMD sounds more professional, if that makes any sense.😛
 
Just so long as one day I have either after name, I'm content 🙂.
 
Hahaha I'll take the boobie one please!!! (Because that's what my top two choices offer)
 
My brother and I had once talked about going into practice together years after we graduate. He is graduating from a school that gives a DDS and I'm going to a school that gives a DMD. We were actually concerned that when placed side by side they would be seen as different degrees with one better than the other.

example:

Dr. John Smith DDS
& Dr. Don Smith DMD
 
Selso2109 said:
I'm sure this has done before, but I'm bored so lets do a poll. What title do you prefer? Sure they are all the same, but it's ok to have a preferance.

DMD is catching up, GO DMD!
Click to expand...

Personally, I think there is no distinction and the fact that there are two degrees in the field that mean exactly the same thing is silly for Dentistry, just like regional board qualifications. The folks in charge should really just sit down and decide what the title of the degree should be from a rational point of view. I do think that for uninformed individuals or patients, seeing a DDS vs. a DMD can have unfair and prejudiced impact depending on the individual.
 
Shunwei said:
Personally, I think there is no distinction and the fact that there are two degrees in the field that mean exactly the same thing is silly for Dentistry, just like regional board qualifications. The folks in charge should really just sit down and decide what the title of the degree should be from a rational point of view. I do think that for uninformed individuals or patients, seeing a DDS vs. a DMD can have unfair and prejudiced impact depending on the individual.
Click to expand...

exactly. I've heard some ridiculous things said by patients, and even staff members about their thoughts on the subject. One parent of a pre-dental student said to me "My son is also applying to dental school. He's applying only to the DMD schools, though, so he won't just be filling cavities like a DDS." A hygiene student told me they thought the difference was that one was a 2 year program and one was a 4 year program.
 
MnBr63 said:
exactly. I've heard some ridiculous things said by patients, and even staff members about their thoughts on the subject. One parent of a pre-dental student said to me "My son is also applying to dental school. He's applying only to the DMD schools, though, so he won't just be filling cavities like a DDS." A hygiene student told me they thought the difference was that one was a 2 year program and one was a 4 year program.
Click to expand...

Nominally, a DDS vs. a DMD rests in the "intent" of the education. I believe that the latter is supposed to have a more systemic view of the dental education rather than just focusing on the neck on up, but in reality most dental schools do this already (now, unless you count Harvard, who for some reason insists that their students also know how to perform rectal exams, which I consider quite superfluous). I suspect that most average Joes will look at a a DMD and think it is superior to its exact equivalent. I think this is a serious faux pas for the field and should be rectified soon.
 
I think the only intention of the DMD degree was to have a dental degree in Latin so that Harvard could continue awarding all their degrees in that language only. The only reason they didn't go with the direct translation of DDS was that they didn't like the abbreviation (DCD)
 
Has anyone noticed that when filing applications at online websites, you hardly ever see a DMD under 'suffix'. They always have a DDS and MD.
 
armorshell said:
I think the only intention of the DMD degree was to have a dental degree in Latin so that Harvard could continue awarding all their degrees in that language only. The only reason they didn't go with the direct translation of DDS was that they didn't like the abbreviation (DCD)
Click to expand...

I think it was CDD (Chirurgae Dentium Doctoris). Same thing, though. lol

DDS = CDD (in Latin)
 
I think most schools award DDS degrees so that settles it.
 
Doesn't matter as long as I am a dentist...but It looks like I'll be getting a DMD. It actually goes better with my current last name. Which brings up the point, if your a female and you get married after you graduate will you change your last name or keep it the same? The female dentist I work for kept her maiden name (as far as I know...I don't know if she uses her husbands last name else where).
 
DMD has the MD in there which makes it look like we're biters / copy-caters / nothing original. hah
 
DMD ---> Dumb MDs:laugh:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Getting into BS/DDS (BS/DMD). Seeking advice
Replies
5
Views
2K
doc toothache
doc toothache
K
Virtual Shadowing for BS/DMD programs
Replies
3
Views
475
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
E
Usask DMD program- how to prepare for MMI interview
Replies
1
Views
812
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
J
DDS/PhD Questions
Replies
7
Views
2K
thewobblytooth
thewobblytooth
E
SDN Article: Ask the Admissions Expert: Alicia Spence, DDS, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
Replies
0
Views
291
Emil Chuck, PhD
E
Top