What Is a Dentist Called? Understanding Dental Titles, Degrees, and Specialties
What Is a Dentist Called? Understanding Dental Titles, Degrees, and Specialties
Most people simply call them dentists. However, the profession actually includes several different titles, degrees, and specialties that many patients do not fully understand.
Dentists are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and conditions affecting the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth. They play a major role not only in oral health, but increasingly in overall health as researchers continue discovering links between oral inflammation and diseases throughout the body.
The most common professional titles for dentists are DDS and DMD.
What does DDS mean?
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery.
This degree is awarded by many dental schools across the United States. Despite the word “surgery” in the title, DDS dentists perform far more than surgical procedures. They provide preventive care, cleanings, fillings, crowns, cosmetic dentistry, oral examinations, and many other treatments.
What does DMD mean?
DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine.
The degree is academically equivalent to DDS. Dentists with DDS and DMD degrees complete the same licensing requirements, receive similar education, and hold identical legal authority to practice dentistry.
The difference mainly comes from historical naming traditions at different universities.
For patients, there is essentially no difference between a DDS and DMD dentist.
Why are dentists called doctors?
Dentists are considered doctors because they complete advanced doctoral level professional education after college.
Most dentists complete:
A four year undergraduate degree
Four years of dental school
National board examinations
Clinical licensing requirements
Some dentists then complete additional residency programs or specialty training that can add several more years.
Dentists therefore earn the title “Doctor” just like physicians, optometrists, veterinarians, and pharmacists.
Different types of dentists
Modern dentistry contains many specialized fields beyond general dentistry.
General dentists
General dentists provide routine oral healthcare including:
Cleanings
Fillings
Exams
Crowns
Preventive care
X-rays
Basic restorative procedures
Most patients see a general dentist regularly for ongoing care.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists specialize in correcting tooth alignment and bite issues using:
Braces
Clear aligners
Retainers
Jaw correction systems
Many orthodontists treat both children and adults.
Oral surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform more advanced procedures involving:
Wisdom teeth removal
Dental implants
Jaw surgery
Facial trauma repair
Bone grafting
These specialists often complete hospital-based surgical residencies.
Periodontists
Periodontists specialize in treating gum disease and supporting bone structures around teeth.
They often perform:
Gum surgeries
Bone regeneration procedures
Deep cleanings
Dental implant support treatments
Endodontists
Endodontists focus on the inner structures of teeth, especially root canals and dental pulp.
They specialize in saving damaged or infected teeth.
Pediatric dentists
Pediatric dentists work specifically with children and adolescents.
Their offices often focus heavily on reducing dental anxiety and creating child-friendly treatment environments.
Cosmetic dentists
Cosmetic dentists focus primarily on improving the appearance of smiles through procedures such as:
Veneers
Whitening
Bonding
Smile reconstruction
Tooth reshaping
Why dentistry matters more than ever
Oral health affects much more than appearance.
Researchers increasingly connect dental disease and chronic oral inflammation to:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Stroke
Respiratory illness
Pregnancy complications
Inflammatory disorders
Cognitive decline
The mouth acts almost like an entry point into the body’s broader inflammatory and immune systems.
That is why preventive dental care has become increasingly important in modern healthcare.
The future of dentistry
Dentistry continues evolving rapidly through technology.
Modern dental offices increasingly use:
Artificial intelligence imaging systems
Digital scanners
Laser dentistry
Three dimensional printing
Robotic guidance systems
Advanced implant technologies
Digital orthodontics
Computer-assisted smile design
Some experts believe dentistry may become one of the most technologically advanced healthcare fields over the next decade.
However, despite all these innovations, the core mission remains remarkably consistent:
Helping patients maintain healthy teeth, gums, and oral function throughout life.
Whether called a DDS, DMD, orthodontist, oral surgeon, or cosmetic dentist, these professionals play a critical role in both healthcare and confidence.
High value sources
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth
https://my.clevelandclinic.org
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/adult-oral-health
