DDS full form and what it means
DDS is Doctor of Dental Surgery. In the US and Canada, dentistry is a graduate-entry course: students first complete a bachelor's degree and then a four-year dental programme. On completion they hold the DDS title and, after licensing exams, can practise.
The letters appear after a dentist's name, for example Dr. A. Smith, DDS. The title says the dentist has completed dental school; it does not say which specialty, if any, they have trained in.
DDS vs DMD
DMD means Doctor of Dental Medicine. DDS and DMD are the same level of qualification, with the same curriculum standards. Each university simply chooses which name to award. A dentist with either title can carry out the same general dental work.
DDS vs BDS
In India the equivalent entry degree is BDS, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, regulated by the National Dental Commission (formerly the Dental Council of India). The two names differ because of how each country structures education: BDS is an undergraduate course taken straight after school, while DDS is taken after a prior degree. Both lead to a general dentist.
An Indian BDS graduate who wants to practise in the US or Canada normally has to complete additional assessments and training before being licensed there. Our guide to the BDS full form explains the Indian route, and types of dentists explains how specialists fit in.
| Title | Full form | Where awarded |
|---|---|---|
| DDS | Doctor of Dental Surgery | United States, Canada |
| DMD | Doctor of Dental Medicine | United States, Canada |
| BDS | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | India and several other countries |
DDS, DMD and BDS compared (general information only).
Common questions
Is DDS higher than BDS?
Not in terms of what the dentist can treat. Both are entry-level qualifications for a general dentist. They differ in how each country structures the course.
Is a DDS a medical doctor?
A DDS is a doctor of dentistry, not a doctor of medicine. They are trained in the teeth, gums, jaws and mouth rather than general medicine.
Is a DDS dentist a specialist?
Not automatically. DDS is the general dental degree. Specialists complete further training in a field such as orthodontics or oral surgery.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Prices are prevailing Lucknow market ranges. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.