What Qualifications Do General Dentists Have?
After completing their undergraduate education, all general dentists have successfully completed four years at an accredited dental school. In addition, they have fulfilled the requirements (including testing and continuing education) of state licensing boards. Some dentists have the initials DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) following their names, while others have DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). The only difference between the two is the title used on their dental school’s degrees; their education and training is exactly the same.
In addition to their standard training, some general dentists receive special training in particular areas—for example, implant placement, cosmetic procedures, or other therapies.