You call them “doctor”—but are they, really? The question Is a dentist a doctor sparks more confusion than you might expect. While dentists hold advanced degrees and perform complex procedures, their title isn’t always understood. Before your next visit to the dental chair, find out what that “Dr.” actually means—and why it matters for your care.
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What Qualifications Does a Dentist Have to Be a Doctor?
Dentists earn one of two professional doctoral degrees: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Despite the different titles, both degrees are equivalent in terms of curriculum, clinical training, and scope of practice. They prepare them to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, and related structures.
While some of them are not medical doctors (MDs), they are fully trained healthcare professionals. Their education and qualifications meet the standards of a doctoral-level degree, and they are legally authorized to use the title “Doctor” in clinical settings. This designation reflects their extensive training and vital role in patient care.
Dentists Complete Extensive Medical Training
Becoming a dentist involves a demanding and highly structured educational path. In the U.S. and many other countries, this journey begins with completing a bachelor’s degree or, at minimum, two years of college-level pre-dental coursework. This includes a strong foundation in the sciences. In fact, over 85% of U.S. dental school matriculants hold a full bachelor’s degree before entering dental school.
The next step is a four-year program at an accredited dental school. These programs combine intensive classroom instruction with coursework in anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and other dental-specific sciences. This scientific foundation is critical to understanding both oral and overall health.
Clinical training is also a core part of dental education. It typically begins in the second year and continues with supervised patient care in the third and fourth years. Additionally, many of these professionals pursue postgraduate residencies, especially those aiming to specialize. These programs provide advanced clinical experience and further develop expertise in complex care settings.
Dentists Specialize in Oral Health, Not General Medicine
While dentists undergo extensive medical training, their expertise is focused solely on the structures and conditions related to the mouth and surrounding areas. They do not treat general medical conditions like physicians but are highly specialized in maintaining oral health.
- Scope of Practice: They diagnose and treat issues involving the teeth, gums, jaw, and oral tissues. Their work is limited to the oral cavity and its direct connections, not the broader systems of the body.
- Specialized Curriculum: Dental school includes shared courses with medical training—such as anatomy and pharmacology—but also covers dental-specific subjects like prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
- Advanced Specializations: They can pursue further training in specialties such as endodontics (root canals), orthodontics (alignment), pediatric dentistry, or oral surgery. These require additional residency programs and board certification.
- Oral-Systemic Awareness: While dentists can manage certain oral-systemic concerns—like prescribing antibiotics—they are not licensed to treat broader systemic illnesses and do not function as general medical practitioners.
Doctorate Degrees
Dentists earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), both of which are professional doctorate-level degrees. These credentials require several years of rigorous study and clinical training, placing them on par with other professional doctorates such as MD (Doctor of Medicine), PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy), or DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy).
A DMD or DDS is distinct from a research-focused doctorate like a PhD. While some dentists may go on to pursue academic research degrees—such as a PhD in Oral Sciences—the DMD/DDS itself is considered a terminal qualification for clinical dental practice. It represents the highest level of education required to diagnose, treat, and manage oral health conditions.
Medical Professionals, Not Physicians
They are recognized as regulated health professionals with extensive medical training specific to oral health. In the U.S., their education and practice are overseen by organizations such as the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and they are licensed by individual state dental boards. These regulatory systems ensure that dentists meet high professional standards for safe and effective patient care.
Their training includes medically relevant subjects like pharmacology, anesthesia, and diagnostic techniques, but their scope is limited to oral health. These specialists are not authorized to practice internal medicine, general surgery, or pediatric medicine beyond conditions related to the mouth, jaw, and surrounding structures.
Some dental specialists, such as oral surgeons, may undergo further medical education. In certain cases, this includes earning an MD, but only if they complete formal medical school. Otherwise, they remain dental doctors with advanced surgical training focused on oral and maxillofacial procedures, not general medical practice.
Dentists Must Pass Exams and Maintain Licensure
Practicing dentistry requires more than just a degree—dentists must meet strict licensure requirements to ensure they are qualified and up to date with current standards of care. These requirements are designed to protect patients and uphold professional integrity.
- Education: Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental school with a DDS or DMD degree.
- National Exams: Pass a national written examination, such as the National Board Dental Examination or the Integrated National Board Dental Exam.
- Clinical Licensure: Successfully complete a state or regional clinical licensing exam (e.g., CRDTS, CITA, CDCA) that tests hands-on patient care skills.
- Additional Criteria: Depending on the jurisdiction, applicants may need to meet age requirements, demonstrate good moral character, and sometimes complete a residency.
- Ongoing Requirements: Maintain licensure through continuing education and periodic renewal, typically every 1–3 years, to stay current with best practices in the field.
Conclusion
Dentists are highly trained healthcare professionals who play a critical role in maintaining oral health. Their journey includes extensive pre-dental education, completion of a four-year doctoral-level program (DDS or DMD), and passing rigorous national and clinical licensing exams. These qualifications ensure that they are well-equipped to deliver safe, effective care within their specialized field.
Although dentists are not general physicians, their doctorate status, hands-on clinical training, and continuing education requirements reflect their deep medical expertise. They focus exclusively on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and oral structures.
As essential members of the healthcare system, they bring a high level of professionalism and specialized knowledge to every patient interaction. Their work not only preserves oral health but also supports overall well-being—solidifying their position as respected medical professionals in their own right.
Sources.
Wolcott, M. D., Reside, J. M., Bobbitt, L. J., & Quinonez, R. B. (2020). Characterization of school of dentistry prerequisite courses and recommendations for admission. Journal of Dental Education, 85(3), 293–299.
Akyalcin, S., Bruzzaniti, A., Chávez, E. M., Delgado, A. J., Duqum, I., & Kure, L. (2020, May 27). Should dentistry be a specialty of medicine? Two viewpoints. Journal of Dental Education, 84(9), 1003–1010.