What credentials do dentists hold?

• A. DMD or DDS
• B. MD
• C. DO
• D. PhD

Answer: (A)

Dentists earn professional doctoral credentials specific to dentistry. In the United States, dental schools grant Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Both are doctoral-level degrees that authorize a graduate to pursue licensure after completing required exams. The names differ by school history, but they are effectively the same credential for practicing dentistry.

The other options aren't the dental credential: Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are medical degrees for physicians, not dentists. A PhD is a research doctorate and, by itself, does not qualify someone to practice dentistry. A dentist might also hold a PhD in addition to a dental degree, but licensure to practice dentistry comes with the DMD or DDS.