| About Dentistry
What Is Dentistry? Is Dentistry Right for Me? How Do I Choose? | Glossary
Treatment Applications Types of Dentistry Credentials |
Dentist
DDS
The Doctor of Dental Surgery has generally completed three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school and has passed the National Board Dental Exams. State licensing boards require professionals to pass state licensing exams in order to practice general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. (Source: American Dental Association)
Dentist
To qualify as a Dentist, professionals must pass a State-approved licensing examination. They have completed a 4-year program in dentistry following at least 2 years of college; most completed a bachelor's degree before entering dental school. Graduates of non-U.S. programs have completed at least 2 additional years in an American dental school, and licensees practicing a specialty have additional education in that area. Once licensed, Dentists are required to take continuing education courses regularly.
DMD
The Doctor of Dental Medicine has generally completed 3 or more years of undergraduate education plus 4 years of dental school and has passed the National Board Dental Exams. State licensing boards then require professionals to pass state licensing exams in order to practice in general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. (Source: American Dental Association)
FAGD
A Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry has been a member of the Academy for at least five years, has maintained the requisite continuing education credits and has passed the relevant exam
MAGD
A Master in the Academy of General Dentistry has been a member of the Academy for at least five years, has first become a Fellow and then completed 1,100 hours of the requisite continuing education, including 16 disciplines in dentistry, such as periodontics, orthodontics and implants.
