What is a dentist?

In plain English

Dentistry is a separate profession with its own schools, licences and boards, not a medical specialty. A dentist examines, diagnoses, prescribes and operates within the mouth and the structures around it, and most also employ and supervise dental hygienists and assistants.

Two degree abbreviations exist for the same qualification. Which one a dentist holds depends on the school they attended, and state boards treat the DDS and the DMD as equivalent, so neither tells you anything about scope or seniority.

Most dentists are general dentists. The recognised specialties - orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology, dental anesthesiology and dental public health - each require a further residency and are filed under their own codes.

Dentistry is also a small-business population. A large share of dentists own the practice they work in, which makes them buyers as well as clinicians, though group and private-equity-backed dental organisations have taken a growing share of that market.

Training and credentials

A bachelor's degree, four years of dental school for the DDS or DMD, then regional or state licensing examinations; specialists add a residency of two to six years.

Where they practise

Solo and group private practice, dental support organisations, community health and school-based clinics, hospital dental services, the armed forces and public health.