Yes, dentists hold a doctoral degree. Every practicing dentist in the United States earns either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), both of which are doctoral-level professional degrees. This puts dentistry in the same category as medicine, where practitioners complete a professional doctorate rather than a PhD, though the training is no less rigorous.
DDS and DMD Are the Same Degree
The two degree titles cause a lot of confusion, but the American Dental Association is clear on this point: dentists who hold a DDS and those who hold a DMD have the same education. The curriculum requirements are identical. The only difference is which title a particular university chooses to award. Harvard, for example, grants a DMD, while most other schools grant a DDS. Neither degree is more advanced or more specialized than the other, and both carry the “Doctor” title.
How Long It Takes to Earn the Degree
The standard path to becoming a dentist takes eight years after high school: four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of dental school. Some accelerated programs combine the bachelor’s degree with the dental doctorate in six or seven years total, but these are less common.
Before applying to dental school, students must complete at least 90 semester credit hours of college coursework. The prerequisite courses are heavy on science: two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics (all with labs), plus anatomy, biochemistry, and English composition. Applicants also need to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a standardized exam that dental schools use to evaluate readiness.
What Dental School Covers
The four-year dental school curriculum splits roughly in half. The first two years focus on classroom and lab instruction in the biological sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology, alongside dental-specific subjects like oral pathology and oral histology. Students practice procedures on models of the mouth and teeth rather than on patients during this phase.
The final two years shift to clinical training. Students treat real patients under the supervision of clinical instructors, rotating through various clinics, hospitals, and community settings. They learn to care for a wide range of people, including children, elderly patients, and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Some practice management instruction is woven in as well, since most dentists eventually run or co-own a practice.
Licensing Beyond the Degree
Earning the DDS or DMD alone does not allow someone to practice. Graduates must also pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), a 500-question test spread across six sections. It covers everything from whole-body anatomy and biochemistry to restorative dentistry and oral surgery. A scale score of 75 or higher is required to pass, and results are reported simply as pass or fail.
On top of the national exam, each state requires its own clinical licensing exam, which typically involves demonstrating hands-on procedures. After obtaining a license, dentists must complete continuing education throughout their careers to keep that license active. The specific number of hours varies by state, but the requirement is ongoing and never optional.
How It Compares to a Medical Degree
The dental doctorate follows a structure very similar to the MD. Both require roughly the same amount of undergraduate preparation, both involve four years of professional school with preclinical and clinical phases, and both culminate in a doctoral degree plus licensing exams. The key difference is that most physicians must complete a residency of three to seven years before practicing independently, while general dentists can begin practicing immediately after passing their licensing exams. Some dentists do pursue optional residencies or specialty training, but it is not a universal requirement for general practice.
Dentists in Other Countries
The doctoral model is specific to the United States (and Canada, which uses a similar system). In the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and many other countries, dentists earn a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent undergraduate degree. This is typically a five-year program entered directly after secondary school, so the total years of training are comparable, but the degree itself is classified as a bachelor’s rather than a doctorate.
A BDS is not recognized for practice in the United States. International dentists who want to work in the U.S. must complete an Advanced Standing Program at an accredited American dental school, which takes two to three additional years. They also need to pass the national board exams before entering these programs. The process is expensive: tuition alone runs roughly $80,000 per year, plus exam fees, travel costs, and credential evaluations.
What “Doctor” Means in Dentistry
Dentists are legitimately addressed as “Doctor,” and the degree they hold is a true doctorate, not an honorary or courtesy title. The DDS and DMD sit alongside the MD, DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), and other professional doctorates that qualify graduates to independently diagnose and treat patients. The title reflects both the length of training and the scope of clinical responsibility dentists carry, from diagnosing oral cancers to performing surgical extractions and managing complex treatment plans.