But what exactly is the difference between the two degrees? Should a patient choose a dentist based on his or her degree title? Dentists with either degree have graduated from an accredited dental school and are highly trained professionals in their fields.
They have the same type of training and both fulfill the curriculum requirement as set by the ADA. So how did this confusion even arise in the first place?
The answer lies within the history of dentistry. However, in this all changed when Harvard decided to add a dental school. Their graduates were awarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. In , Harvard University opened its dental school. It was the first dental school to be affiliated with a major university. Harvard granted their degrees in Latin.
Despite the difference in names, the level of education and clinical training are the same. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist.
Upon completion of this training, dentists must pass both a rigorous national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam in order to practice. In order to maintain their licenses, dentists must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers to ensure they stay up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments.
These degrees account for standard dental practice. Just like in the health care industry the amount of additional schooling that a dentist needs to be certified in a specialty depends largely on the specialty that they choose.
Some of these dental specialties and their corresponding requirements are:. Pediatric dentistry - Requires 25 months of additional schooling after dental school. Pediatric dentists specialize in the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence.
Endodontics - Requires 26 months of additional schooling after dental school. People often visit endodontic specialists for procedures like root canals. Periodontics - Requires 35 months of additional schooling after dental school.
Periodontal dentists specialize in treating gum diseases. Orthodontics - Typically requires a multi-year residency after dental school, specializes in treating crooked teeth, improper bites and misaligned jaws. Orthodontists can administer and monitor braces. Prosthodontics - Typically requires 32 months of additional schooling after dental school. Prosthodontic specialists help patients restore natural teeth or replace missing teeth and oral structures with artificial solutions like dentures.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery, pathology, and radiology - All require multiple years of additional schooling after dental school. The length of training oral and maxillofacial specialists undergo will depend on the specialty itself.
Surgeons, handle surgeries of the mouth and jaw and undergo the lengthiest schooling.
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