DMD vs DDS? Opinions???

[dstu2011]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DATlongshui]

Aren't they the same?

 

[dstu2011]

Aren't they the same?

Yes, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a DMD in real life... even the faculty at the DMD school all have DDS degrees lol.....

 

[Feathers]

They are the exact same thing: http://www.ada.org/3049.aspx

 

[Odontos2015]

Don't feed the troll 👎

 

[toothfairy3]

pick the school based on which one best fits your learning style or best fits what you want for your professional future... the DDS and DMD are just different letters that don't make a difference. the practice i work in has 2 DDS dentists and one DMD dentist and they are all equally amazing. when patients ask we just say that different schools give different degreee titles and they were perfectly fine with that. you definetly shouldnt be condering that at all in picking your school. every dentist knows that they are the same

 

[dentalWorks]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

I would do the DMD in a heart beat. If I am reading this correctly, you basically opted out of many of the sciences (right?).... This is huge, less classes = less tuition (right?) which ultimately leads to = less stress

As far as DMD vs DDS, both are legally the same and I don't believe either one gives any specializing advantages.

 

[icewrangler]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

I'm just curious. What DMD school told you that you wouldn't have to take the classes that you've already taken (Im assuming in undergrad)? I've never heard of any schools doing this. And there is absolutely no difference between the two.

 

[Mazmel]

do whatever makes your "Dr. Name DDS/DMD" sound better

 

[JonNCSU08]

They are the same exact thing, so it doesn't matter. Pretty much every new school awards a DMD, and the older schools still give DDS degrees. It does not matter, they are exactly the same, just different names.

 

[jeffity]

Oh yes! Go with what looks good! It's kind of how DMD came about anyhow.
The story behind DMD is silly. Those Harvard snobs! Haha.

Origins of DMD Degree
Harvard was the first dental school to award the DMD degree. Harvard University only grants degrees in Latin and school administrators thought the Latin translation of Doctor of Dental Surgery ("Chirurgae Dentium Doctoris," or CDD) was too cumbersome. A Latin scholar was consulted and suggested "Medicinae Doctor" be prefixed with "Dentariae." This is how the DMD, or "Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae" degree, was started. Other dental schools made the switch to this notation, and in 1989, 23 of the 66 North American dental schools awarded the D.M.D. There is no difference between the DMD and DDS degree; all dentists must meet the same National & Regional certification standards.

 

[Mazmel]

Oh yes! Go with what looks good! It's kind of how DMD came about anyhow.
The story behind DMD is silly. Those Harvard snobs! Haha.

👍 😛

 

[bonvivant07]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

I usually always assume people are asking legit questions. But seriously? THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess what specialty programs will look at when they evaluate you??? hmmmmm how about GRADES, VOLUNTEERING, EXAM SCORES, RECOMMENDATIONS?!?! I doubt anyone will be like "Oh this guy has is exceptional across the board! BUT looks he has a DMD instead of a DDS. OH NO! I hate those three letters, D, M, D put together. DENIED.

Honestly, you should be glad you got into 2 Dental schools and grow up.

 

[travisdotn]

I'm just curious. What DMD school told you that you wouldn't have to take the classes that you've already taken (Im assuming in undergrad)? I've never heard of any schools doing this. And there is absolutely no difference between the two.

This is exactly what I am wondering. I have heard of being able to test out of 1 class at most.

 

[meendabean]

I hate those three letters, D, M, D put together. DENIED.

Haha if you looked at the "N" and "I" close together in small font it would kinda look like an "M." so the letters "DMD" are hidden in the word "DENIED."

Just because of that I'd take the DDS.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

The DMD and DDS degress are equivalent, but the curriculums are different (or so I have been told)

DMD - The first two(ish) years of dental school are usually combined with the medical school students. There is a focus on the medical aspect of dentistry/patient care, learning how the body works, etc. HEAVY clinical in the last two years.

DDS - You start clinical in your first year and do it in smaller amounts over the course of your four years.

So, I would do the program that suits you the best, even though they're both pretty much the same thing.

 

[gigawatt]

The DMD and DDS degress are equivalent, but the curriculums are different (or so I have been told)

DMD - The first two(ish) years of dental school are usually combined with the medical school students. There is a focus on the medical aspect of dentistry/patient care, learning how the body works, etc. HEAVY clinical in the last two years.

DDS - You start clinical in your first year and do it in smaller amounts over the course of your four years.

So, I would do the program that suits you the best, even though they're both pretty much the same thing.

The DMD/DDS distinction is a matter of choice and tradition for each of the schools. There's no hard and fast rule like this. Columbia has a combined medical/dental curriculum and offers the DDS, for example.

 

[dentalWorks]

The DMD and DDS degress are equivalent, but the curriculums are different (or so I have been told)

DMD - The first two(ish) years of dental school are usually combined with the medical school students. There is a focus on the medical aspect of dentistry/patient care, learning how the body works, etc. HEAVY clinical in the last two years.

DDS - You start clinical in your first year and do it in smaller amounts over the course of your four years.

So, I would do the program that suits you the best, even though they're both pretty much the same thing.

I dunno amalgamgrillz, cause I know some schools who switched over from DDS to DMD (If I remember correctly, case western reserve did the switch recently).... I HIGHLY doubt they changed their ENTIRE curriculum just to go from DDS to DMD. I think its just a philosophical believe.

DDS vs DMD differ in the philosophy of how to provide oral health... thats all. As far as the legal goes, they are both LEGALLY the same.

 

[flapaTron]

The DMD and DDS degress are equivalent, but the curriculums are different (or so I have been told)

DMD - The first two(ish) years of dental school are usually combined with the medical school students. There is a focus on the medical aspect of dentistry/patient care, learning how the body works, etc. HEAVY clinical in the last two years.

DDS - You start clinical in your first year and do it in smaller amounts over the course of your four years.

So, I would do the program that suits you the best, even though they're both pretty much the same thing.

this is not at all correct. here at columbia, we basically do the first 2 years of med school + dental courses + preclinic (ridiculously heavy didactics) then clinic + didactics the last 2 years --> and columbia awards a DDS. harvard's cirriculum is the same in many regards and they award the DMD. your theory therefore is false.

the notion of choosing between a DDS and a DMD is incredibly silly. do not let it at all affect your choice of school.

 

[dentalWorks]

this is not at all correct. here at columbia, we basically do the first 2 years of med school + dental courses + preclinic (ridiculously heavy didactics) then clinic + didactics the last 2 years --> and columbia awards a DDS. harvard's cirriculum is the same in many regards and they award the DMD. your theory therefore is false.

the notion of choosing between a DDS and a DMD is incredibly silly. do not let it at all affect your choice of school.

I love your avatar dude

 

[pinhi]

Yes, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a DMD in real life... even the faculty at the DMD school all have DDS degrees lol.....

they are the same and ive seen many DMDs.....

 

[MeSci]

What program are you referring to that you can get credit for prior courses you have taken? Please explain.

 

[CaliPreDent]

this is my two cents...harvard dental students graduate with a dmd while columbia's dental students graduate with a dds.....what's the difference? both are ivy league dental schools

 

[CaliPreDent]

this is not at all correct. here at columbia, we basically do the first 2 years of med school + dental courses + preclinic (ridiculously heavy didactics) then clinic + didactics the last 2 years --> and columbia awards a DDS. harvard's cirriculum is the same in many regards and they award the DMD. your theory therefore is false.

the notion of choosing between a DDS and a DMD is incredibly silly. do not let it at all affect your choice of school.

whoa i'm so stupid...i didn't even read the rest of the thread ha...this person summarized it best

 

[DumbFounded10]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

So we're still waiting to hear which DMD program told you that you didn't have to take HALF of their classes, and that your college grades would apply (giving you a 4.0). But you'll never give us a name, and here's why:

Someone who truly earned a 4.0 GPA in undergrad would never ask a question this dumb.

:troll:

 

[i4everpaki]

ever thought about it depends on state.
stony, nyu, columbia- all in ny offer DDS
tuft, bu, harvard- all in Mass offer DMD

 

[Odontos2015]

So we're still waiting to hear which DMD program told you that you didn't have to take HALF of their classes, and that your college grades would apply (giving you a 4.0). But you'll never give us a name, and here's why:

Someone who truly earned a 4.0 GPA in undergrad would never ask a question this dumb.

:troll:

Someone who truly earned 2 offers of admission would understand that there is no difference between DMD and DDS.

ever thought about it depends on state.
stony, nyu, columbia- all in ny offer DDS
tuft, bu, harvard- all in Mass offer DMD

It does not depend on the state, that is just a coincidence. Ohio, California and North Carolina contain both DDS and DMD awarding dental schools.

 

[hopefullyadent]

GO TO THE DMD SCHOOL...DO NOT GO TO THE DDS SCHOOL...IF YOU GO TO THE DDS SCHOOL YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO AN ORTHODONTAL RESIDENCY OR ORAL SURGERY...ALSO INSURANCE COMPANIES PAY LESS TO DMDs than DDS

 

[punchdrunk7]

Doctoral Degree Awarded Info from ADEA Guide to Dental Schools

DDS- 33 schools nationwide (Loma Linda, UCLA, UCSF, UOP, USC, Colorado, Howard, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Detroit Mercy, Michigan, Minn., UMKC, Creighton, Nebraska, Colombia, NYU, Stony Brook, Buffalo, N.Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Meharry, Tenn., Baylor, UT Houston, UTSA, VCU, UW, WVU, Marquette)

DMD- 28 schools nationwide (Alabama, ASDOH, Midwestern AZ, Western, UCONN, NOVA, Florida, Georgia, SIU, UIC, Midwestern IL, Kentucky, Louisville, BU, Harvard, Tufts, Mississippi, UNLV, UMDNJ, ECU, Case Western, Oregon, Penn., Temple, Puerto Rico, S. Carolina, USN)

So in all honesty there is no difference, when each schools is founded this is determined. So with that being said I am sure that the number of practicing dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, endo etc. etc. are almost equal.

 

[USCbiograd]

I'm in a situation. Both schools cost roughly the same... the one awarding the DMD degree is slightly more. The school awarding the DDS degree is a much better place to live for the next 4 years. The problem is that I already completed many of the courses at the DMD school so I can start the school with a 4.0 in half the courses already and not have to take them. I'm looking to do well to give myself the option to specialize if I want to later. It seems NO ONE has a DMD degree... and I would like to receive the DDS degree over the DMD one, and also I would like to spend the next 4 years in a better environment... but if I go to the DMD school I will have a great head start.

Would you guys go to the DMD school or the DDS school?

No dental school will allow you to transfer credits from an undergraduate institute. This is a load of bull.

 

[lemoncurry]

There is absolutely no difference whatsoever in the two degrees: not in philosophy, curriculum, requirements, specialty potential, etc. NONE. The only differences that exist are the differences in the schools themselves.

Please read the FAQ sticky thread before posting this tired old question.