Dentists are Doctors

[oceanicvibe]

Unsure where the confusion lies , but if anyone is unsure: Dentists are doctors.

Other health practitioners who are doctors:
Physicians
Dentists
Pharmacists
Optometrists
Podiatrists
People who hold Ph.D's
Just to name a few...

Don't know why people say Doctors and Dentists when they mean Physicians and Dentists...they're both doctors.

Hope this wasn't off-putting
Anyways... Have a great day everyone! GL on your dental journeys!

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[fit2]

haha one time I was shadowing an oral surgeon and I was talking about "doctors" in like third person and then he like stopped me and like almost in an offended way told me "we're doctors too"

learned from my mistake and he was right. I'm not really too big on what people call me but after 10 years of work, maybe I'd expect that.

totally agree with your point though

 

[oceanicvibe]

Any man who must say, "I am the King", is no true king.

In my (limited) experience, the best physicians/dentists/surgeons/specialists out there are those that maintain humility with regard to their profession, whatever it may be. It's in your interest to work hard regardless of what you do, and worry less about the title and what others think about you.

If King T'Challa said "I am the King," or "I am a King" - Him saying it doesn't negate the fact that he's still a king.

It has nothing to do with humility.

If a dentist referred to themselves as either a dentist or a doctor, then they have the right to do so, because that's what they are... Them saying their occupational title doesn't mean they're prideful.

 

[aj30]

Technically speaking, they are doctors. In common usage of the term, though, they are not. When people say “doctors” in the context you referred to, they mean medical doctors, not doctors of dentistry, optometry, or Mediveal Chinese History.

 

[Str82th]

It is like that movie “the hangover” set us back decades.

Lol, it doesn’t really matter.

But, I must add that I do consider myself more of a doctor than a PhD.

 

[ttranman337]

Looks like we found the ex pre-med!

 

[2TH MVR]

Seriously .... I just do not care whether I'm a supposed real Dr or not. Some like to flaunt the title. I actually like to keep my title to myself. In the office ..I'm the Dr. Outside the office .... I prefer NOT to be called Dr. so and so. Humility is key.

 

[cooliyak]

Yes, we are doctors. Those who use it as a status or ego boost are different than those who pull it out for legitimate reasons. I had a nurse practitioner recently talk down to me because I refused to do an elective dental procedure on her w/anesthetic containing epi when her BP was high (I’m talking just about 190/110+ high w/ some other risk factors). After her making the statement that she wasn’t going to let a dentist tell her what she could and could not do because she knew better, I had to let her know that if we were going to play the degree game, I was technically the only doctor in the conversation. She stormed out and said she was never coming back. Well, she came back and was apparently still feeling feisty because she had a note from her PCP stating that he placed her on BP meds and was giving her clearance for dental work. She also gave me a couple systematic reviews about BP and dental anesthetic. After I threw them away, I told her I was just happy her BP was lower and that she was getting it under control.

 

[setdoc7]

For everyone's peace of mind this thread should be closed. This is an age old argument which will once again not be settled on this site. You are simply inviting the pre meds and med students over here for a pissing match that no one can win. If you are at all interested in the "differences" between dentists and physicians, ask any OMFS resident in a 6 year program who has been to med school. Only those with both degrees can speak on this with any authority, since they have had both experiences. All others should leave this alone.

 

[0rgansm]

Get an MD if you care about this stupid sh**

 

[doc toothache]

The post should have been titled: “Physicians are Doctors”.

 

[TherealnorthOMFS]

"any man who must say I AM THE KING is no true king" -Tywin Lannister

 

[LebronManning]

Yeah technically my high school counselor was also a doctor. So is the DNP midlevel. So is the local pharmacist at Walgreens.

Colloquially the term is for physicians and we all know it.

 

[NITRAS]

I had a chiropractor who insisted on being called Dr. He wa weird...for several reasons.

I’ve been called doctor for years now, the novelty has worn off.

 

[doc toothache]

Yeah technically my high school counselor was also a doctor. So is the DNP midlevel. So is the local pharmacist at Walgreens. Colloquially the term is for physicians and we all know it.

You are confusing the profession(s) with the title by which they are addressed.

 

[LebronManning]

You are confusing the profession(s) with the title by which they are addressed.

So did OP..

 

[oceanicvibe]

So did OP..

Not really

 

[LebronManning]

Not really

Dentists are called doctors but they’re no more a “doctor” than a DNP in terms of what people think when they think “doctor”.

So yes really

 

[oceanicvibe]

Dentists are called doctors but they’re no more a “doctor” than a DNP in terms of what people think when they think “doctor”.

So yes really

Like I originally said,
Not really.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Who cares? I’m not making this my career because of what other people think of me. The only person whose respect I need is my own.

 

[oceanicvibe]

Who cares? I’m not making this my career because of what other people think of me. The only person whose respect I need is my own.

good for you?

 

[doc toothache]

Yeah technically my high school counselor was also a doctor. So is the DNP midlevel. So is the local pharmacist at Walgreens. Colloquially the term is for physicians and we all know it.

Technically speaking, they are doctors. In common usage of the term, though, they are not. When people say “doctors” in the context you referred to, they mean medical doctors, not doctors of dentistry, optometry, or Mediveal Chinese History.

Joe the Plumber is usually forgiven for his ignorance; the same may or may not be extended to professionals/pre professionals, who are expected to know better.

 

[Firik]

In my view, Dentists are Dentist. It's unique and people would not generalize their dentist experience with their medical appointments.