Definition

1. Noun:
   • A professional degree in dentistry: The "Doctor of Dental Surgery" (DDS) is a terminal professional degree awarded upon completion of a dental education program. It qualifies the holder to practice general dentistry.
   • An academic title: It is the formal title for a dentist who has earned this specific doctoral degree.

Usage

• The degree is used as a title before a name or as a credential following it.
• It is typically used in formal, professional, and academic contexts related to healthcare and dentistry.

Examples

• As a title:
  • The seminar will be led by Doctor of Dental Surgery Jane Smith.
  • Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Chen, who holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
• As a credential:
  • Her official title is Anna Garcia, Doctor of Dental Surgery.
  • To practice, you must earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery from an accredited university.

Advanced Usage

• "DDS" as an abbreviation: The degree is very commonly abbreviated as "DDS" in everyday and professional use.
  • Dr. James Lee, DDS, has an office downtown.
  • The clinic's sign listed all practitioners with their credentials: MD, DDS, PhD.

Variants and Related Words

• DDS: The standard abbreviation for Doctor of Dental Surgery.
• Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD): An equivalent professional degree in dentistry. The curriculum and professional privileges are identical to the DDS; the difference in title is historical and depends on the awarding institution.
• Dentist: The general term for a professional who practices dentistry. A holder of a DDS or DMD is a dentist.
• Dental Surgeon: A term that may be used interchangeably with dentist, emphasizing the surgical aspects of dental care.

Synonyms

• Dentist: A practitioner of dentistry.
• Dental Surgeon: A dentist who performs surgical procedures.

Notes on Meaning

• The "Doctor of Dental Surgery" is a specific type of first professional degree or professional doctorate, not a research-based doctorate (like a PhD). Its primary purpose is to license and train practitioners for professional practice.
• In the United States and Canada, the DDS (and its equivalent, the DMD) is the required degree for licensure to practice dentistry.

Noun

1. a doctor's degree in dental surgery