Editing Doctor of Dental Surgery

{{Infobox qualification
| name           = Doctor of Dental Surgery
| abbreviation   = DDS
| image          = 
| caption        = The DDS is a professional doctorate for dental practitioners.
| field          = [[Dentistry]]
| duration       = 4 years (post-graduate)
| prerequisite   = Bachelor's degree (usually [[Pre-dental]])
| equivalence    = [[Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry]] (DMD)
}}

==Overview==
The '''Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)''' is a professional doctoral degree awarded to individuals who have completed a recognized program of study in [[dentistry]]. It is one of the two primary degrees (alongside the [[DMD]]) that qualifies a person to practice as a general [[dentist]] in the United States, Canada, and several other jurisdictions.

While the titles differ in name, the '''[[American Dental Association]] (ADA)''' and the '''Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)''' treat the DDS and DMD as academically and clinically equivalent.

==History and Nomenclature==
The DDS is the older of the two titles, first awarded by the '''[[Baltimore College of Dental Surgery]]''' in 1840—the world's first dental school. 

The alternative title, [[Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry]] (DMD), was created in 1867 by [[Harvard University]]. Harvard, which traditionally granted degrees in Latin, translated "Doctor of Dental Surgery" into ''Chirurgae Dentium Doctor'', but found it linguistically awkward. They instead opted for ''Dentariae Medicinae Doctor'' (DMD). Since then, universities have chosen between the two based on institutional tradition.

==Educational Requirements==
In North America, obtaining a DDS typically requires a minimum of eight years of post-secondary education:

===1. Undergraduate Preparation===
* Completion of a Bachelor's degree with a heavy emphasis on science (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry).
* Achievement of a competitive score on the '''[[Dental Admission Test]] (DAT)'''.

===2. Dental School Curriculum===
* '''Years 1–2 (Pre-clinical)''': Intensive study of biomedical sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology) and "simulation lab" training in operative dentistry.
* '''Years 3–4 (Clinical)''': Direct patient care under faculty supervision in a dental clinic, rotating through specialties such as [[Endodontics]], [[Periodontology]], and [[Oral Surgery]].

==Licensure and Practice==
Earning a DDS degree is the academic requirement for licensure, but it does not automatically grant the right to practice. Candidates must also pass:
* '''[[Integrated National Board Dental Examination]] (INBDE)''': A comprehensive written exam covering clinical and basic sciences.
* '''Regional Clinical Exams''': Hands-on exams (e.g., ADEX, WREB) involving procedures on manikins or live patients.
* '''Jurisprudence Exam''': A test of the specific dental laws in the practitioner's state or province.

==Specialization==
Upon receiving a DDS, a dentist may practice as a general practitioner or apply for a residency to specialize in one of the twelve recognized dental specialties, such as [[Orthodontics]] or [[Prosthodontics]]. These programs typically lead to a '''Master of Science (MS)''' or a '''Certificate of Specialty Training'''.

==See Also==
* [[Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry]] (DMD)
* [[Dental school]]
* [[Continuing Dental Education]] (CDE)
* [[FDI World Dental Federation]]

[[Category:Dentistry]]
[[Category:Professional Degrees]]
[[Category:Education]]