Dentists with medical degrees?

[Pharmohaulic]

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Who do some dentists like oral health or oral surgeons need to get medical degrees on top of their dental degrees? (I know a dentist can just get a certificate in maxillofacial surgery but and md is often encouraged.)

Doesn't that just confuse their role. Like if a dentist does get a medical degree and is an oral surgeon for instance then what license are they practicing under, medical or dentistry?

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

http://bfy.tw/7viV

 

[redchesus]

Depends on where they work. To practice as an oral surgeon all they need is a DDS or DMD, but if they want to get privileged to work in hospitals a lot of times an MD is required. They are a specialty, which have a defined scope of practice like any other medical specialty. They are dentists but they do not practice general dentistry, just like a psychiatrist is a physician but does not practice primary care.

 

[Screwtape]

Depends on where they work. To practice as an oral surgeon all they need is a DDS or DMD, but if they want to get privileged to work in hospitals a lot of times an MD is required. They are a specialty, which have a defined scope of practice like any other medical specialty. They are dentists but they do not practice general dentistry, just like a psychiatrist is a physician but does not practice primary care.

This is very false.

 

[ncide]

Some fellowships for OFMS prefer MD applicants, according to the head of the OFMS department at my school.

 

[DaleDoback]

Depends on where they work. To practice as an oral surgeon all they need is a DDS or DMD, but if they want to get privileged to work in hospitals a lot of times an MD is required. They are a specialty, which have a defined scope of practice like any other medical specialty. They are dentists but they do not practice general dentistry, just like a psychiatrist is a physician but does not practice primary care.

If you don't know what you are talking about, please don't confuse people more with crazy talk. An MD is not required to work in a hospital.

To the OP, it's just a difference in training programs. There's been plenty of discussion about the difference. I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

 

[Pharmohaulic]

If you don't know what you are talking about, please don't confuse people more with crazy talk. An MD is not required to work in a hospital.

To the OP, it's just a difference in training programs. There's been plenty of discussion about the difference. I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

I was just asking what the purpose of the dual degree for maxillofacial surgeons was?

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

It will depends on work.

Nah.

 

[DaleDoback]

I was just asking what the purpose of the dual degree for maxillofacial surgeons was?

Education. You can never fault someone for more education. I decided not to go that route for my own reason, but I respect the hell out of the guys/gals that did. It (usually) doesn't change your scope of practice, unless you want to do certain fellowships.

 

[setdoc7]

It depends on your scope of practice.

 

[Longshot.308]

The core of oral surgery has always been dentoalveolar extractions and surgery. Wisdom teeth, extractions, jaw fracture, leforts ect. In the last 2o years bone grafting and implants. As they expand out into more advanced facial trauma, head and neck cancer ect I think back in the day there was some push back from ENT's and Plastics that said these guys aren't real doctors why are they getting into our scope of practice. So oral surgery said no problem we will add medical school to our training. I think it probably gave oral surgery more "legitimacy" in the medical community when they said we can do medical school too.

Currently, I think the focus of your program and interests will allow you to cater to where you want to go.

 

[DaleDoback]

It depends on your scope of practice.

Ehhhhhh, does it really?

 

[vellnueve]

Ehhhhhh, does it really?

I'm gonna say no.

 

[armorshell]

Ehhhhhh, does it really?

I think the only difference it makes is if your desired scope requires an MD because of nebulous political reasons

 

[DaleDoback]

I think the only difference it makes is if your desired scope requires an MD because of nebulous political reasons

Fair. I know a 6-year guy who did a cleft fellowship that still has to fight the same fight for cleft privileges against PRS. One of the best surgeons I've known too. Hate it for him.

 

[armorshell]

Fair. I know a 6-year guy who did a cleft fellowship that still has to fight the same fight for cleft privileges against PRS. One of the best surgeons I've known too. Hate it for him.

Having an MD doesn't let you skip these battles, it just gives you an additional card in your hand to play with. Even with it, in the eyes of an ENT/PRS who feels you're trying to steal their jerb, you're still JFD ( just a ... Dentist)