DMD vs DDS thoughts

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Lock_Jaw

Lock_Jaw

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Just kind of curious what you guys would rather be labeled as? I know there is no difference, but do you think there's confusion among people outside the field with the DMD vsDDS label? Or do you think that it is a more accurate label for a dentist? Just kind of curious what everyone's thoughts are on this?
Personally, I like DDS more, just because of the fact people of past generations know what this means, and would not be confused with the label on the door.
Cheers!
 
i think i like DDS more, because it sounds cooler to me lol
 
I have always like DDS. I'll be going to a school that offer a DDS. But I've noticed that when I tell people in my classes and talk to professors they always mention that I will be a DMD. I never would've guessed that. lol
 
I like DDS only because that's what my parents have and I grew up hearing that one over DMD
 
Depends on the part of the country you live in. There are a lot of misconceptions about DMD. I found a thread years ago proclaiming that DMD's couldn't give shots. It was preposterous.

Harvard wanted to be special from other dental schools back in the late 1800's so they created the DMD degree to distinguish themselves. If you ask me, Harvard just wanted to get in a pissing contest with the other schools to make themselves seem more important.

If you live in a state with only DDS degrees, then a patient might be confused. Though most patients probably won't look into it at all. If you live somewhere with both degrees being prominent then it probably won't make a difference.
 
I'll be getting an MD...so i was happy I have a DDS since DMD, MD looks really stupid. I think the public sometimes has no idea what a DMD represents, and I'm sick of explaining what I do to laymen anyway...and Ive met a few old school dentists who think that the DMD insinuates the curriculum was less procedural...these issues are small but I have no negatives associated with DDS.

I frequently tell people at the hospital that the DDS is like an MD and the DMD is like a DO...but i've always been an instigator
 
Sublimazing said:
I'll be getting an MD...so i was happy I have a DDS since DMD, MD looks really stupid. I think the public sometimes has no idea what a DMD represents, and I'm sick of explaining what I do to laymen anyway...and Ive met a few old school dentists who think that the DMD insinuates the curriculum was less procedural...these issues are small but I have no negatives associated with DDS.

I frequently tell people at the hospital that the DDS is like an MD and the DMD is like a DO...but i've always been an instigator
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Well that's great, I was gonna shoot for OMS but I guess it'll sound too stupid to be a DMD, MD. I think I can remedy this by getting a PhD after I become an OMS though, and become a DMD, MD, PhD.... Should probably change my name to Dr. Dedede, DMD, MD, PhD.
 
SableFire said:
The deed has already been done. Popcorn's on me this time:corny:!
Also I vote D.D.S. just because that is what is common here in Minnesota
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If that's the case they are equal... until I get into a dental school, then it will be that one.
 
TourdeTeeth said:
Depends on the part of the country you live in. There are a lot of misconceptions about DMD. I found a thread years ago proclaiming that DMD's couldn't give shots. It was preposterous.

Harvard wanted to be special from other dental schools back in the late 1800's so they created the DMD degree to distinguish themselves. If you ask me, Harvard just wanted to get in a pissing contest with the other schools to make themselves seem more important.

If you live in a state with only DDS degrees, then a patient might be confused. Though most patients probably won't look into it at all. If you live somewhere with both degrees being prominent then it probably won't make a difference.
Click to expand...
No, they did it because of translation issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_School_of_Dental_Medicine#Origins_of_DMD_degree
 
I always felt Harvard was in the right on this one, following trends of every other degree out there. But anyhow, thought it would be interesting to see peoples thoughts.

Here's another question, what region are you from and whats more common in your area?
 
TourdeTeeth said:
I know that's the real reason but it still sounds a little pompous to me. I can just imagine "oh this doesn't translate directly into Latin, well we are THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY it has to be Latin. Lets create our own degree."

I mean that as no offense to Ivy League people. That's just how it's always seemed to me.
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Eh, the Catholic church did the same thing a few years ago and changed the entire format of mass so that it would be more "in line" with latin (considering, you know, that's what most of the rest of the Catholic world's languages are based off of).
 
This is really cool to know about the latin aspect of the name. I'd honestly thought it was just Harvard trying to distinguish itself from other places. This makes it even more cool though! 🙂
 
DDS b/c the pioneering dental schools granted a DDS. harvard started a fad, and a lot of others soon followed after. #bandwagoners
 
When choosing a school priorities should be:
1) DDS (better) vs DMD (gross)
2) Everything else
 
I actually heard from multiple trusted sources that the following information is correct:

1. If you want to specialize at all, go to a school that offers a DMD. They are seen as more book/knowledge oriented.
2. If you get a DDS, you will be at a disadvantage when you try to get into specialties.
3, If you decide on a DDS, you'll most likely end up with a clinical job in a small, privately owned hut near the Western Province of Kenya.
 
Damn this thread is making me reconsider 🙁
 
Man, a lot of you guys are really concerned about titles. You should have gone for the MD, you would have fit right in.
 
The only thing DMD means in my state is that they are from somewhere else. Louisiana is on of the highest retention states in the country (not many people leave, not many people move here), so it is easy to find an out-of-towner. I doubt this hurts business, but where I'm from, people would rather go to dentists that grew up in the community and went to a state school than someone else that didn't.
 
Screwtape said:
A lot of this is sarcasm mate... Maybe you should go for the MD seeing that you don't understand a joke. Ba-zing! (Again this was a joke)
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Because Physicians don't get jokes? Yea I think I've got it now thanks for clearing that up champ.
 
Honestly, I'd go for a DDS, because they sound like pros/experts.

I'd go and say: "Hey, I'm a DDS"
....everyone be like "WHOA! That guy is a DDS"

I'd go and say: "Hi, I'm a DMD"
.....everyone be like "I don't care. Bye now."

Also, DDS stands for Dauntless Dental Superstar. True story.
Don't ask me what DMD stands for.
 
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Just lol at anyone who doesn't get a DMD degree. Throwing money away for anything else.... Smh
 
mkuiper said:
Just kind of curious what you guys would rather be labeled as? I know there is no difference, but do you think there's confusion among people outside the field with the DMD vsDDS label? Or do you think that it is a more accurate label for a dentist? Just kind of curious what everyone's thoughts are on this?
Personally, I like DDS more, just because of the fact people of past generations know what this means, and would not be confused with the label on the door.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
A dentist is a dentist. Nothing more nothing less. It is your personality and skill set that sets you apart and makes patients coming back to you, which is what matters.
This argument is born out of arrogance. Same thing goes with MD and DO.
 
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