How would you feel...?

[drpj]

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If your boyfriend or girlfriend told you that a dentist is not a doctor? I don't know why but I am extremely angry that my boyfriend had the nerve to say this to me.

Sorry I know this is totally random and that there are other issues more important than this but I just wanted some opinions because I am not happy with this statement that was said to me.

 

[slm266]

Who cares?

If you do get a DMD/DDS, is it so that you can call yourself a doctor?

How did that conversation get to the point where he would claim that anyways?

 

[lnngu]

Who cares?

If you do get a DMD/DDS, is it so that you can call yourself a doctor?

How did that conversation get to the point where he would claim that anyways?

Hehe...Get used to it. One hears that a lot.

 

[ArthurIhde]

i dont care about that

 

[minoh87]

man that sucks. id break up with him and get with a dentist hahaha

 

[DATkiller]

We can blame it on the Hangover movie.

 

[27Teeth]

I guess you wanted your bf to bow down before you when you proclaimed that you wanted to be a "dentist."
If your bf's validation is what you're after you should consider another profession.

 

[dentalWorks]

If your boyfriend or girlfriend told you that a dentist is not a doctor? I don't know why but I am extremely angry that my boyfriend had the nerve to say this to me.

Sorry I know this is totally random and that there are other issues more important than this but I just wanted some opinions because I am not happy with this statement that was said to me.

Usually, a "doctor" in our social conversations is a physician (MD or DO), a dentist is NOT a physician per-say, but more of an "oral physician". When your talking to your friends, and you say "Im taking the day off to go to my doctor"... no one will assume you mean dentist.

So...be proud of the fact that your not a doctor but a dentist.

Now if you want to be technical, the word "doctor" actually means "teacher", so yeh, anyone who goes into the healthcare profession, I guess you can call them "doctors"

 

[Jenna2010]

Hey drpj,

Sorry your bf was being so insensitive. I understand that points people are making and agree that the title should not be that big of a deal to you and I am sure you will hear a lot of dentist/doctor jokes going around and you have to get used to it.

The thing is, do you really want to waste your time with someone who isn't very supportive of you and seems to be trying to put you down? I don't know what your relationship is like, but what does your boyfriend do and what are his goals? Is he being negative out of insecurity? If so, is this really something you want to carry along through school and beyond?

Just a few things to think about....

 

[txlonghorn]

Why do you have an inferiority complex? We are dentists, so deal with it. People will call you Dr. Blah blah when they see you in your office. Happy? Being called doctor, however, will not make up for your mommy not hugging you when you were a child.

 

[txlonghorn]

Ok. The above post was a joke before someone gets offended. Lol

 

[doc toothache]

I guess you wanted your bf to bow down before you when you proclaimed that you wanted to be a "dentist."
If your bf's validation is what you're after you should consider another profession.

In this case she would be better off to consider trading in the bf.

 

[Oberstein]

when (if) I start practicing, I wouldn't care if my significant other were to introduce me as the court jester.

 

[flyingforever]

Who cares btw? Dump your bf until he gets his MD.

 

[redchesus]

Is your bf being serious or joking? It matters.

If he's saying it in jest, then laugh if off and move on.

If he's being serious or you feel like he might actually mean it, maybe you want to re-evaluate your relationship because he's going to hold this attitude even after you get your doctorate, and I really don't think it's worth it to be in a long-term relationship with someone who doesn't respect your career choice.

 

[TriCuspid]

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

You're a doctor. Dental care is health care. Titles might not be important to some people, but it is to her, and she has a right to feel that way.

Any comment out of someone's mouth belittling the value of someone's work is immature. Whether coming out as a joke or not, it's best it shouldn't have been said. It's important the person she is with values her work and understands her reasoning.


Let me take this to another level... I want all dental hopefuls to feel good about their career choice. A dentist can be considered a doctor, but a doctor can't be considered a dentist :: a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square. Dentisty = WIN

 

[Jenna2010]

^ haha... I never thought of that. Thanks TriCuspid!

 

[Dent001]

we're not doctors, we're dentists. deal with it

 

[lnngu]

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

You're a doctor. Dental care is health care. Titles might not be important to some people, but it is to her, and she has a right to feel that way.

By that reasoning, then PhDs, PharmD, OD, hell, even chiropractors are doctors?

Shrug...seems to me like a very watered down title.

 

[DrYoda]

By that reasoning, then PhDs, PharmD, OD, hell, even chiropractors are doctors?

Shrug...seems to me like a very watered down title.

They are doctors, if you have a doctorate you're a doctor. They aren't physicians, but physicians don't have a monopoly on the doctor title.

I call my dentist Dr. So-and-so. (and I'm a med student)

 

[redchesus]

If you want to go into the history of it, doctor was a title actually meant to be refer to PhDs only, because "doctor" comes from Latin which means "teacher", so the fact most people have switched to meaning "physician" when they say "doctor" means the word has already been watered down

but yes, I believe anyone who holds a doctorate is a doctor

 

[Lethstang]

when ppl say dr, they think it means physician. dentists are called dr, as is anyone with a doctoral degree. so you are a dr, but not really.

 

[lnngu]

This thread reminds me of the running joke in "Friends", about Ross.

"Phoebe: Are you lying? Is this like that time you tried to convince us you were a doctor?
Ross: I am a doctor!"

 

[jmt1984]

We can blame it on the Hangover movie.

 

[ItalianPrincess]

If your boyfriend or girlfriend told you that a dentist is not a doctor? I don't know why but I am extremely angry that my boyfriend had the nerve to say this to me.

Sorry I know this is totally random and that there are other issues more important than this but I just wanted some opinions because I am not happy with this statement that was said to me.

no more nookie til he admits a dentist is a doctor 😎

 

[iluvdentistry]

no more nookie til he admits a dentist is a doctor 😎

Agreed^^ Keep it on lockdown until he grovels!!

 

[doc toothache]

By that reasoning, then PhDs, PharmD, OD, hell, even chiropractors are doctors?

Shrug...seems to me like a very watered down title.

Which is the "watered down title" the MD or the Ph.D.?

 

[promolion]

Or rock it till he says yesssss DR.

 

[TriangleZuikis]

My bro says this to me all the time - hes an m.d. I think its funny. Maybe your bf is mad cause you're gonna make way more money than him

 

[txlonghorn]

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

You're a doctor. Dental care is health care. Titles might not be important to some people, but it is to her, and she has a right to feel that way.

Any comment out of someone's mouth belittling the value of someone's work is immature. Whether coming out as a joke or not, it's best it shouldn't have been said. It's important the person she is with values her work and understands her reasoning.


Let me take this to another level... I want all dental hopefuls to feel good about their career choice. A dentist can be considered a doctor, but a doctor can't be considered a dentist :: a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square. Dentisty = WIN

How am I belittling someone's work by calling a spade a spade? We are/will be dentists - be proud of what we are! I don't understand why people get so offended when people say dentist are not doctors.

We are NOT real doctors - when you use the layman's definition of a doctor. Yes, we have the title and are called by the title doctor, but we are not what a normal person calls a doctor. When someone says they are going to see the doctor, they do not mean a dentist. Also, when someone goes to get work done on their teeth, they say they are going to see the dentist - not the doctor.

Also, your last paragraph is dumb. I do agree with the dentistry = win part, however. 🙂

 

[drpj]

Thank you for all the replies everyone. Well here's the story: so we were playing an online game and one of the questions asked was, "What doctors are people most afraid to go to?" ... So when this question popped up I was like, "Oooh dentists!" and then he said "they're not doctors". (and that was the #1 answer). But in no way was I trying to rub it in that I am going to be a dentist, I was just playing the game.

The reason as to why I got upset was because of the fact that 1. It is not easy to get into dental school and 2. Dental school is not easy to get through. I just felt a little insulted because I put a lot of hard work throughout my college years (and I will continue to work hard when I start dental school in the future) and I didn't want him to think it was "easy" to become a dentist. I just think maybe he doesn't understand the work it takes in becoming a dentist because the farthest he's gone (education wise) is graduating college.

I think girls will understand more where I'm coming from than guys because guys usually don't get offended that easily (and most girls are usually more sensitive than guys).

Well he ended up apologizing (the next day!) and said he was just saying it as a joke.

 

[TriangleZuikis]

You'll meet someone better in dental school 😀

Thank you for all the replies everyone. Well here's the story: so we were playing an online game and one of the questions asked was, "What doctors are people most afraid to go to?" ... So when this question popped up I was like, "Oooh dentists!" and then he said "they're not doctors". (and that was the #1 answer). But in no way was I trying to rub it in that I am going to be a dentist, I was just playing the game.

The reason as to why I got upset was because of the fact that 1. It is not easy to get into dental school and 2. Dental school is not easy to get through. I just felt a little insulted because I put a lot of hard work throughout my college years (and I will continue to work hard when I start dental school in the future) and I didn't want him to think it was "easy" to become a dentist. I just think maybe he doesn't understand the work it takes in becoming a dentist because the farthest he's gone (education wise) is graduating college.

I think girls will understand more where I'm coming from than guys because guys usually don't get offended that easily (and most girls are usually more sensitive than guys).

Well he ended up apologizing (the next day!) and said he was just saying it as a joke.

 

[JBieber]

Thank you for all the replies everyone. Well here's the story: so we were playing an online game and one of the questions asked was, "What doctors are people most afraid to go to?" ... So when this question popped up I was like, "Oooh dentists!" and then he said "they're not doctors". (and that was the #1 answer). But in no way was I trying to rub it in that I am going to be a dentist, I was just playing the game.

The reason as to why I got upset was because of the fact that 1. It is not easy to get into dental school and 2. Dental school is not easy to get through. I just felt a little insulted because I put a lot of hard work throughout my college years (and I will continue to work hard when I start dental school in the future) and I didn't want him to think it was "easy" to become a dentist. I just think maybe he doesn't understand the work it takes in becoming a dentist because the farthest he's gone (education wise) is graduating college.

I think girls will understand more where I'm coming from than guys because guys usually don't get offended that easily (and most girls are usually more sensitive than guys).

Well he ended up apologizing (the next day!) and said he was just saying it as a joke.

I feel sorry for your boyfriend lol.

 

[KenKim]

agree with justin bieber. i feel sorry for ur bf.

 

[txlonghorn]

lol. Leave the poor girl alone. However, she shouldn't let dumb things like this get to her. Also, all of the people saying she should dump her man for something as dumb as this are probably the ones that contribute/will contribute to the super high divorce rate. You all will die alone and sad. 🙂

 

[yappy]

phd's are more doctor than an MD. Read up on the doctor title.

By that reasoning, then PhDs, PharmD, OD, hell, even chiropractors are doctors?

Shrug...seems to me like a very watered down title.

And yes dentists are doctors - they hold a doctorate degree. The misuse of the term "doctor" to describe physicians by the lay public doesnt change the real meaning of the title used by the educational system that created it.

I cannot believe some of these comments I'm reading are coming from people who want to go to graduate school.

 

[aelian]

lol. Leave the poor girl alone. However, she shouldn't let dumb things like this get to her. Also, all of the people saying she should dump her man for something as dumb as this are probably the ones that contribute/will contribute to the super high divorce rate. You all will die alone and sad. 🙂

👍👍👍
Haha. The dump the boyfriend and abstain from him bunch are a little harsh. You've got to grow some thicker skin and just do what you love and not do it because you want to impress someone else. Do you think the ladies in the WNBA stop playing basketball because most of the world doesn't acknowledge them as real basketball players? No! They play because...they play because...oh darn it. Okay, terrible example.

 

[babypapa]

My guess is all these brought up by some kind of preconception in people's mind that getting into a dental school (or other healthcare related professional schools) is not as tough as a medical school ( I do not want to start a new debate about this issue ) or folks chose to be a dentist mainly due to their uncertain competitiveness for medical schools and so on so on. I have to admit this kind of conceptions are not totally wrong, however we are going to be health care professions who are specialized at oral health. We will learn deeper and know better than any other health care professions about oral diseases. We will be the best people in the world whom patients can resort to with regards to their oral problems. So be confident guys!

 

[AmpedUp]

phd's are more doctor than an MD. Read up on the doctor title.



And yes dentists are doctors - they hold a doctorate degree. The misuse of the term "doctor" to describe physicians by the lay public doesnt change the real meaning of the title used by the educational system that created it.

I cannot believe some of these comments I'm reading are coming from people who want to go to graduate school.

Ph.D. = ultimate respect in my book.

Seriously, don't become a dentist if you want the title or prestige. It's just ignorant....

 

[Baylor2011]

Do you think the ladies in the WNBA stop playing basketball because most of the world doesn't acknowledge them as real basketball players? No! They play because...they play because...oh darn it. Okay, terrible example.

LOL!!

Umm..maybe the fat paycheck? It certainly isn't to entertain people...sooo slow and boring

 

[aelian]

LOL!!

Umm..maybe the fat paycheck? It certainly isn't to entertain people...sooo slow and boring

You're kidding, right? Haha. No, really, hahahaha. I think a general dentist makes more than an average WNBA player. I know this is the wrong thread to say it but I think pharmacists have a higher average salary and they're not even real doctors (I'm joking with the OP...of course they are "Doctors"). I just wikipedia'd their average salary and I'm shocked. But to be able to hoop for a living and get to travel. That must be a blast. Once again, OP, do what you love and don't worry what other's think.

 

[lnngu]

And yes dentists are doctors - they hold a doctorate degree. The misuse of the term "doctor" to describe physicians by the lay public doesnt change the real meaning of the title used by the educational system that created it.

I cannot believe some of these comments I'm reading are coming from people who want to go to graduate school.

My... a little bit aggressive, aren't we?

The problem with your argument is that the OP was not upset about the use/misuse of some arbitrary title. She was upset because she wasn't getting the respect that she feels she deserves. And that has NOTHING to do with official academic titles, and everything to do with perception by the lay public, which, for the most part, reserves its respect for medical doctors.

By the way, thank you for bringing up PhDs. I completely agree that they deserve ultimate respect and don't really belong on my earlier list. But you didn't bother addressing the rest of it. Yeah...that chiropractor... I'm afraid I see a D in that title...

Ph.D. = ultimate respect in my book.

Seriously, don't become a dentist if you want the title or prestige. It's just ignorant....

👍 This is my point exactly. Dentistry is a fantastic field that offers enough glory that I wouldn't feel the need to usurp someone else's (if I make it in.) Seriously, I've been living with dentists my whole life. I can't think of a single occasion when one of them, when asked what he/she did for a living, answered "I'm a doctor." That would be kind of pathetic.

PS: to the OP. Please inform your bf that his mancard's been revoked. The masculine thing to do would have been to stay the course, with little regard for being right or wrong.

 

[UltimateHombre]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/doctor

The first definition in the dictionary is that of a physician.

The second is anyone who has been awarded a doctoral degree.

I think people combine the lay definition of doctor and the title of doctor way too much. No one ever says... "i am going to the physician" they say "doctor". The phrase "going to the doctor" is pretty universal. Nobody ever thought to themselves "i wonder if they mean ceramics class, because the instructor has a DFA in ceramics", "maybe they meant the vet", or "i guess they could be going to the pharmacist".

Swallow your pride... we will be doctors, but only because of the second definition, not of the first. 😀

 

[UltimateHombre]

Furthermore... you don't here lawyers and attorneys bitc*ing that they aren't called doctors... yet they still qualify with a JD. Lawyers are lawyers, chiropractors are chiropractors, psychologists are psychologists, professors are professors, dentists are dentists, and yep you guessed it... doctors are doctors.

 

[XZeRO]

does your boyfriend/girlfriend have any respect for what you are trying to accomplish?
a statement like that gives the impression that he/she does not respect the profession that you are trying to pursue.

 

[yappy]

Inngu - sorry, I didnt mean to come across so harsh... But... sigh... again... ultimateH we all understand that it is common for people to confuse physicians with the term doctor... but that doesnt require anyone to swollow an alleged pride.
The term doctor actully comes from the latin word doctoris which means teacher and had been used historically primarily for phd's in acadamia. So you see how ignorant it looks to describe MD's as the principal definition of doctor.

Let me correct your last post. "... physicians are physicians but all the professionals I stated are doctors".

 

[pinhi]

If your boyfriend or girlfriend told you that a dentist is not a doctor? I don't know why but I am extremely angry that my boyfriend had the nerve to say this to me.

Sorry I know this is totally random and that there are other issues more important than this but I just wanted some opinions because I am not happy with this statement that was said to me.

tell ur bf/gf to f*** off.....dentists are DOCTORS everybody!!....D.D.S. stands for DOCTOR of DENTAL SURGERY......
if ur significant other cant get that into their head......meet someone more on your wavelength (and when i say more on...i mean *****....)......
One other issue to present to all here.....dentists are quickly becoming the first line of defense in finding many systemic health issues and are an integral part of the DOCTOR network....dentists are no longer solely responsible for oral health care....they are responsible for systemic health care....(like a physician).
OP....ur not having an inferiority complex.....u have a right to feel this way...its insulting to have someone who seems ignorant demeaning you.....

 

[UltimateHombre]

The term doctor actully comes from the latin word doctoris which means teacher and had been used historically primarily for phd's in acadamia. So you see how ignorant it looks to describe MD's as the principal definition of doctor.

Let me correct your last post. "... physicians are physicians but all the professionals I stated are doctors".

I totally understand where you are coming from.... i am not contesting the etymological roots of the term doctor, nor its history. I am just stating what doctor has come to mean now, because that's what is most relevant.

Again... when someone says "i am going to the doctor" nobody ever assumes anything but a physician. Even though that is the historically incorrect usage, it is what is correct today.

I agree with you that all health professionals are "doctors", but they are referred to that in title only. They are referred to by their specialty ie: dentist, pharmacist, physical therapist, etc. No one will ever say "i am going to the doctor" and mean any of the above. They will say "i am going to the (fill in specialty here)".

 

[aelian]

I totally understand where you are coming from.... i am not contesting the etymological roots of the term doctor, nor its history. I am just stating what doctor has come to mean now, because that's what is most relevant.

Again... when someone says "i am going to the doctor" nobody ever assumes anything but a physician. Even though that is the historically incorrect usage, it is what is correct today.

I agree with you that all health professionals are "doctors", but they are referred to that in title only. They are referred to by their specialty ie: dentist, pharmacist, physical therapist, etc. No one will ever say "i am going to the doctor" and mean any of the above. They will say "i am going to the (fill in specialty here)".

I think this is the whole argument. I call my dentist "Doctor" but when I go to the dentist, I say I'm going to the dentist. Whatever, it's been beaten to death. And some people are very sensitive. It sounds like people have been watching too much Dr. Phil. Doctor Phil??? Doctor? Lol. 😀.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Doctor Phil??? Doctor? Lol. 😀.

Epic win!!!