If you are researching dental schools, you have probably noticed that some schools award a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree while others award a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. The natural question is: which one is better? The answer is straightforward and worth stating clearly at the outset: DDS and DMD are clinically, legally, and professionally identical degrees. There is no difference in the education, licensing, or scope of practice between the two. This page explains why two names exist for the same degree, clarifies any remaining confusion, and helps you focus your dental school decision on factors that actually matter.
Why Two Names Exist
The historical explanation is simple and worth understanding so you can put this question to rest permanently. When dental education was formalized in the United States in the 19th century, most schools adopted the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) designation. In 1867, Harvard University established its dental school but chose to award the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD, from the Latin Dentariae Medicinae Doctoris) because Harvard, as a matter of tradition, granted all its degrees in Latin. The curriculum and training were identical to DDS programs from the beginning. Other schools subsequently adopted one designation or the other, often based on institutional tradition rather than any substantive difference in education or training. Today, approximately half of U.S. dental schools award the DDS and half award the DMD.
The Degrees Are Identical
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) confirm that DDS and DMD degrees are equivalent. Both require the same accreditation standards, the same foundational and clinical curriculum, the same clinical training hours, and the same licensing examination (the INBDE®, plus regional or state clinical exams). A DDS graduate and a DMD graduate take the same licensing exam, receive the same license, and have the same scope of practice. No state licensing board distinguishes between the two degrees in any way. No hospital, insurance company, or specialty residency program treats them differently. In every practical sense, they are the same degree with different names.
To be explicit: you should not choose a dental school based on whether it awards DDS or DMD. This factor has zero impact on your career, your licensure, your specialty options, your earning potential, or your patients’ perception of your qualifications. If anyone suggests otherwise, they are mistaken.
What Should You Base Your Decision On
Since the degree name is irrelevant, focus your dental school selection on factors that genuinely affect your education and career. Curriculum and Teaching Methods: Does the school use a traditional lecture-based curriculum, problem-based learning, or an integrated approach? How early do students begin seeing patients? What is the clinical training model (group practice, comprehensive care, specialty rotations)?
Clinical Training Volume and Diversity: How many patients do students treat during their clinical years? What types of procedures are students expected to perform? Are there opportunities for advanced procedures (implants, sedation dentistry, complex prosthodontics) during dental school, or are these reserved for residency? What types of clinical settings are available (university clinic, community health center, hospital-based clinic)?
Match Rates for Residencies: If you are interested in a dental specialty (orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics), research each school’s residency match rates in your specialty of interest. Some schools have stronger track records in specific specialties due to faculty connections, clinical volume, or research opportunities.
Research Opportunities: If you are interested in academic dentistry or dental research, evaluate the school’s research infrastructure, faculty research interests, and opportunities for student involvement. Schools with strong research programs often have closer connections to dental specialty residencies that value research experience.
Cost and Financial Aid: Dental school tuition varies dramatically. Public, in-state programs may cost $30,000 to $50,000 per year, while private programs can exceed $80,000 per year. Over four years, the total cost difference between an affordable public school and an expensive private school can exceed $200,000. Median dental school debt at graduation is approximately $250,000 to $300,000. Financial planning should be a significant factor in your school selection. See our medical school debt page for broader context on healthcare education costs.
Geographic Location: Where you attend dental school often influences where you practice after graduation. Clinical connections, referral networks, and community ties developed during dental school tend to anchor graduates in the region. If you know where you want to practice long-term, attending dental school in that region can provide advantages in establishing your career.
Culture and Fit: Visit schools whenever possible. Talk to current students about their experience. Attend open houses or interview days. Pay attention to how students describe their classmates, faculty, and clinical training environment. A school where you feel supported, challenged, and valued will produce a better educational experience than a school with a better name but a toxic culture. For admissions guidance, see our AADSAS® application guide and DAT® preparation guide. For the career overview, see our dentist career profile.
International Considerations: If you plan to practice internationally at any point in your career, be aware that dental degrees and licensing requirements vary by country. In some countries, the dental degree is a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or BChD (Bachelor of Dental Science), and additional exams or training may be required for foreign-trained dentists to practice. Neither the DDS nor DMD designation has any advantage over the other internationally; both are recognized as equivalent U.S. doctoral-level dental degrees. If international practice is part of your long-term plan, research the specific requirements of your target country independently of your dental school choice.
The Bottom Line on DDS vs. DMD: We want to be completely clear about this point: spending any amount of time worrying about DDS vs. DMD is time wasted that could be better used elsewhere. The energy you spend researching this non-distinction would be far better invested in studying for the DAT®, writing a compelling personal statement, gaining diverse dental shadowing experience, or researching dental schools based on factors that actually affect your education and career. Every admissions committee member, every practicing dentist, and every professional organization will tell you the same thing: the two degrees are identical. Focus on becoming the best dentist you can be, and the letters after your name will take care of themselves.
Choosing a Dental School Wisely: Instead of comparing DDS and DMD, compare programs based on the factors that will actually shape your dental education. How are the clinical simulation labs equipped? What patient volume can you expect during your clinical years? Does the school have strong connections to residency programs in your specialty of interest? What is the school’s community service commitment? What support systems exist for students who struggle academically or personally? What do recent graduates say about their experience? These questions matter. The degree name does not. See our dentist career profile for comprehensive career information and our DAT® preparation guide to begin your admissions preparation.
For related content, see our AADSAS® application guide, INBDE® preparation guide, and career comparisons hub.
References
American Dental Association (ADA). “DDS and DMD Degrees.” ADA, 2025. https://www.ada.org/. Accessed March 2026.
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). “Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs.” CODA, 2025. https://coda.ada.org/. Accessed March 2026.