Some dentists, such as Scott LeSueur, DDS and Charles Dodaro, DDS, append the initials DDS to their names to indicate they have received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Other dentists use DMD, which stands for Dentariae Medicinae Doctor, or doctor of dental medicine. What is the difference between these two degrees? Is one of them better than the other?
Main Differences between DDS and DMD
The main difference between a DDS and a DMD degree is the school at which it was awarded. While the DDS and DMD curricula are basically the same, DMD is more commonly used at Ivy League schools. This tradition dates back to 1867, when Harvard University added a dental school. Because Harvard names their degrees in Latin, Doctor of Dental Surgery was set aside for Dentariae Medicinae Doctor, a variation of the MD degree used for doctors of medicine.
Regardless of the name given their degree, both types of dentists are thoroughly trained to help you maintain high-quality dental health. In addition, some dentists, like Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro, also specialize in cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you’re pursuing a cosmetic dentistry procedure, be sure to look into the dentist’s background to be sure they have experience in cosmetic dentistry.
Scott LeSueur, DDS, and Charles Dodaro, DDS, have extensive experience in both general and cosmetic dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona area cosmetic dentistry offices.