You have likely noticed the string of letters after you dentist’s name, but do you know what they mean? Well, we are here to clarify what that list of letters actually means.

First of all, that string of consonants indicates that your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. This means that your dentist is trained and certified as a dentist and have had the proper training to treat you. If you ever run into a dentist who lacks these letters, then you’ll want to think twice before scheduling an appointment.

D.D.S. means Doctor of Dental Surgery, and D.M.D. means Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine. Whether your dentist has a D.D.S. or a D.M.D., it means that they have the same education and have met the same requirements as other dentists, but they simply have a different title.

To become a dentist, you must have completed an applicable undergraduate degree, and then you must attend four years of dental school to become a general dentist. A lot goes into your dentist’s training, so you can trust them to know what’s best for your oral health.