What is a Dentist Degree Called? Unpacking DDS, DMD, and Global Dental Qualifications

Table of Contents

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)
• The Crucial Takeaway: Functional Equivalency

• Undergraduate Education (Pre-Dental)
• The Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
• Dental School Curriculum
• Post-Graduation: Licensure

• General Practice Residency & Advanced General Education
• Dental Specialties
• Academic and Research Paths

Introduction: The Core Degrees for Aspiring Dentists

As someone who’s spent years figuring out dental education—both as a student and helping others—I know those first questions can be confusing. A lot of people ask me, “What’s a dentist degree called?” I wondered that, too, when I thought about becoming a dentist. The weird thing is, there’s more than one answer, at least in the U.S. and Canada.

Here’s the simple version: If you see “DDS” or “DMD” after someone’s name, you’re looking at a real dentist. DDS means Doctor of Dental Surgery. DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, or sometimes Doctor of Dental Medicine. You might find it odd, but these two degrees are pretty much the same. Both need the same kind of school, learning, and practice work. Still, it’s good to know why there are two names.

I’ll tell you everything I’ve picked up—both from my time applying to dental school and from working with dentists from different countries. I’ll explain what each degree means, how you earn one, what comes next, and how things work around the world.

DDS vs. DMD: Understanding the Primary Dental Degrees

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Let’s start with DDS, since that’s the degree most dental schools in North America give out. When I was looking at schools, seeing “Doctor of Dental Surgery” sounded pretty cool. Don’t let the “surgery” part fool you. DDS dentists do all sorts of dental work—not just pulling teeth or doing surgeries.

The name started with the first U.S. dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, way back in 1840. Other schools copied them, and the name stuck.

Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)

DMD began in 1867 at Harvard. Harvard loved using Latin, so they made up “Dentariae Medicinae Doctor.” That’s why you see DMD at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Tufts, and some other older schools.

Here’s the thing: what you actually learn in DDS and DMD programs is the same. In my first semester, I had a good friend with a DMD coat, while mine said DDS. When we talked, our classes, clinics, and tests were almost the same.

The Crucial Takeaway: Functional Equivalency

This is the main point. Both DDS and DMD programs are checked by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). That means students from both have to do the same work and learn the same things. There’s really no difference in what kind of care they can give. So if you walk into a dentist’s office and spot either on their sign, don’t worry—the training is just as hard.

Why do both names exist? It’s just tradition and what each school likes. The American Dental Association (ADA) says DDS and DMD are equal. Dentists I’ve worked with and people who hire dentists don’t see a difference either.

The Journey to Earning a Dentist Degree: An Overview

Every dentist—no matter what they do later—goes through certain steps. I’ve been there myself. It’s a lot of work and there are plenty of “aha” moments along the way.

Undergraduate Education (Pre-Dental)

Things start with a bachelor’s degree. Dental schools don’t say you have to study science, but most pre-dental students pick things like biology or chemistry, because the classes fit what schools ask for. I spent a lot of nights going over things like the Krebs cycle and organic chemistry.

You usually need classes like:

• General and Organic Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• English
• Math
• Sometimes Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics

It’s not just about finishing these classes—you need good grades. Most schools pick students with pretty high GPAs, often 3.5 or higher.

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

After that comes the big test: the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The DAT isn’t just about science. It tests reading, how well you see 3D shapes, biology, and chemistry. Those spatial puzzles were tricky for me.

Schools care a lot about DAT scores, so students study for months. When I got my DAT results, I felt like all those late nights finally made sense.

Dental School Curriculum

Once you get in, it’s time for four years of dental school. The first two years are science and lab work, practicing on fake teeth and models. It felt a bit scary at first, but teachers always helped.

Years three and four are all about taking care of real patients with help from teachers. I’ll never forget my first patient. I was nervous, but I got better with each visit.

Post-Graduation: Licensure

After you finish school, you need a license to work as a dentist. That means passing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) or a similar test, plus a hands-on test from your state or region. There might also be a test about dental law and rules. By the time you’re done, it feels like you finally reached the top.

Beyond the Core: Specialized Dental Degrees and Advanced Training

A lot of new dentists—including me—wonder if they want to do more training. It’s a big choice, and it means more years in school.

General Practice Residency (GPR) & Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)

Some people do an extra year in a General Practice Residency (GPR) or Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). It’s like a dental internship, where you practice tougher cases and sometimes work in hospitals.

Dental Specialties

The American Dental Association lists twelve dental specialties. These are things like braces (orthodontics), root canals (endodontics), gum care (periodontics), and kids’ teeth (pediatric dentistry). I once shadowed a prosthodontist and was amazed at how careful they were making fake teeth.

Each specialty means applying to special programs and spending two to six more years in training. Some, like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, add a medical degree. In the end, you get a certificate, a master’s degree (like MS or MSD), or both.

Academic and Research Paths

Some people decide to teach or do dental research. They might get a master’s or even a PhD along with their DDS/DMD. If you love science or helping students, it’s a good path. It’s a lot of work but very rewarding.

International Perspectives: Dental Degrees Around the World

If you’re like me, you want to know what happens in other countries. Dental training isn’t the same everywhere.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

In countries like the UK, Australia, India, and many others, dentists get “BDS”—Bachelor of Dental Surgery. These programs usually last five years and start right after high school. When I visited London, I saw how young the dental students were and how fast they started seeing patients.

European Models

Across Europe, you’ll find other names like Doctor of Odontology or Licentiate in Dental Surgery (LDS). In the end, the jobs are similar, but the path to get there changes in each country.

Degree Recognition and Equivalency

Here’s where things get tricky. If you study to be a dentist in one country and want to work somewhere else, you’ll need to take more tests or training. I’ve met dentists from India and Brazil who had to go through special international programs to practice in the U.S. It’s a long process, but you can do it.

If you’re interested in working or getting care in another country, knowing these differences is helpful.

Why Understanding Dental Degrees Matters

When I was just a patient, I didn’t care much about the letters after my dentist’s name. Now I know they stand for years of hard work, lessons, and checked by dental groups.

If you want to go to dental school, knowing about the degrees helps you plan what to do. It tells you what classes to take, how to apply, and what to expect.

For patients, these names build trust. It’s how you know your dentist passed all the needed tests and checks. If you’re not sure if a dentist’s degree is real, you can look it up on the American Dental Association (ADA) site or the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

For dentists as a group, these degrees keep up the profession’s rules, honesty, and safety for everyone.

Conclusion: The Mark of a Qualified Dental Professional

After years of learning, teaching, and working with great dentists, I can say for sure: If you see DDS or DMD, you’re in good hands. Both mean a dentist who went through hard training and is ready to care for teeth and smiles.

It’s true all over the world—dentists, no matter their degree, care about helping people and always learning more. Next time you visit the dentist, look at their diploma—you’ll see what went into earning it.

If you’re curious about how dentists work with labs, check out what happens in a dental ceramics lab or take a look inside a crown and bridge lab. The skilled people there help make new smiles every day.

So, whether you’re thinking about becoming a dentist or just want to know more, I hope this guide helped. If you still have questions about dental school or your options, talk to a dentist or reach out to a local dental school. In my experience, most dentists are happy to help and share their experiences.