US Trends

what does dmd mean in dentistry

DMD in dentistry stands for “Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry” or “Doctor of Dental Medicine.” It is a professional dental degree that is essentially equivalent to DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)—same training, same license, just a different name chosen by the dental school.

What DMD Means For Your Dentist

  • A DMD dentist has completed college, four years of accredited dental school, and national and state licensing exams.
  • They are trained to do checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, and many routine surgeries—just like a DDS dentist.
  • Many DMDs go on to specialize (orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, pediatrics, etc.), but those extra titles come on top of the DMD degree.

Think of DMD vs DDS like two different job titles for the same role: the content of their education and what they’re allowed to do for your teeth are the same.

Do You Need To Prefer One Over The Other?

Short answer: no—DMD vs DDS should not be the deciding factor. What matters more is:

  1. Experience with your specific needs (kids, implants, cosmetic work, anxiety, etc.).
  1. Office environment and technology (clean, comfortable, modern equipment).
  1. Reviews and word-of-mouth from people you trust.
  1. Location, hours, and whether you feel relaxed and respected when you’re there.

A Quick Mini Story

You might see something like:

“Alex Smith, DMD” on one clinic’s sign and “Jamie Lee, DDS” on another.

Many patients assume one is “more surgical” or “more medical,” but in reality both completed the same style of dental training and are licensed to do the same everyday dental work. The real difference is usually just which university they attended and what that school decided to call the degree.

Is “DMD” A New Trend?

In recent years, people search “what does DMD mean in dentistry” more often because:

  • More clinic websites and TikTok/YouTube dentists introduce themselves with their exact degree letters.
  • Some articles and dental blogs explain the history of the DMD title (for example, Harvard using a Latin-based version), which sparks curiosity.

Online forums often end up with threads where one person asks “Is DMD better than DDS?” and several dentists reply that they’re the same, emphasizing to choose based on trust and comfort instead.

TL;DR

  • DMD = Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry / Doctor of Dental Medicine.
  • It is equivalent to DDS; training and scope of practice are the same.
  • When picking a dentist, focus on their experience, communication, and how comfortable you feel—not whether the letters are DMD or DDS.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.