Is a dentist actually a doctor?

Yes, your dental provider is a doctor. Dentists earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree—both doctoral-level credentials that require years of graduate education and clinical training.¹ The difference is their area of expertise: dental providers specialize in the teeth, gums, mouth and jaw, while medical doctors focus on the rest of the body.

What you'll learn in this article:

• "Doctor" is the correct title for your dental provider. The American Dental Association's Code of Ethics recognizes its use.²

• DDS and DMD are the same degree with different names. Both follow the same accredited education and training.

• Dental school includes the same core medical sciences taught in medical school, along with specialized training in oral health.

• Some dental providers pursue additional years of training to become specialists.

If you have questions about your dental provider's qualifications or want to understand what your care involves, schedule an appointment with your Aspen Dental provider for a personalized conversation.

What degree does a dental provider have?

The two degree names often cause the most confusion, but the difference is simpler than many people expect.

Dental providers earn a doctoral degree: either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Both require completing a four-year dental school program after earning an undergraduate degree, passing national written exams and meeting state clinical licensing requirements.³

Is there a difference between a DDS and a DMD?

No meaningful difference exists between a DDS and a DMD. The two names trace back to different dental schools that, when dental education was first standardized in the United States, chose slightly different titles for an identical course of study. Today, both degrees are accredited by the same body (the Commission on Dental Accreditation) and require the same curriculum to earn.³ A provider with a DMD completed the same training as a provider with a DDS.

What does dental school actually cover?

Dental school is a four-year graduate program built on the same core medical sciences taught in medical school. Students study anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology before moving on to hands-on clinical training with patients under the supervision of licensed providers.

This training prepares your dental provider to diagnose oral diseases, interpret X-rays, administer anesthesia, prescribe medications and perform procedures when needed.

Is a dental provider the same as a medical doctor?

Not exactly. Both earn doctoral degrees and complete graduate-level medical training, but they specialize in different areas. Medical doctors care for the entire body, while dental providers specialize in oral health.

Think of it like any other medical specialty. A cardiologist specializes in the heart. An ophthalmologist specializes in the eyes. A dental provider specializes in the mouth, teeth and jaw.

Dental training includes options for further specialization after dental school. Specialists such as periodontists, orthodontists and endodontists typically complete another two to three years of residency, gaining advanced expertise in their specific fields.¹

Should you call your provider "doctor"?

Absolutely. The American Dental Association's Code of Ethics explicitly states that dental providers "may use the title Doctor."² It's not a courtesy title. It reflects the doctoral education, clinical training and state licensure your provider has earned. and state licensure your provider has earned.

Is a dentist actually a doctor? FAQs

If you're still wondering what makes a dental provider a doctor, these answers cover some of the questions patients ask most often.

Can my dental provider prescribe medication?

Yes. As licensed doctoral-level providers, dental professionals are authorized to prescribe medications within their scope of practice — including antibiotics for oral infections, anti-inflammatory medications and, when clinically appropriate, pain management prescriptions following procedures. Prescribing authority varies somewhat by state but is part of standard dental practice throughout the United States.

How does oral health connect to overall health?

Your mouth is part of your overall health, not separate from it. Research has linked untreated gum disease (periodontitis) to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes complications and pregnancy complications, among other health conditions. This connection is one reason dental providers receive extensive training in the medical sciences.

Taking care of your teeth and gums does more than protect your smile. It also supports your overall health.

What does "board certified" mean for a dental specialist?

In dentistry, board certification indicates that a specialist has voluntarily met the highest standards set by their professional specialty board, going beyond the licensing requirements needed to practice. It involves written and clinical examinations that evaluate both knowledge and skill at the highest level. Not every dental specialist pursues board certification, but those who do have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their specialty.

Sources

¹Cleveland Clinic: “What Is a Dentist?” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24448-dentist

²American Dental Association: “Veracity: Code of Ethics.” https://www.ada.org/about/principles/code-of-ethics/veracity

³American Dental Association: "Licensure Overview." https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/licensure