Dental Specialties

What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?

The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. The difference is a matter of semantics. The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree; however, some award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are the same.

Dental Public Health: is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public.

Endodontics: is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp (nerve) and periradicular tissues. The practice of endodontic includes the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases of the pulp (nerve of the tooth) and periradicular surface.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: is the specialty of dentistry concerned with the production and interpretation of images produced by all types of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as   skeletal abnormalities of the facial structures.

Pediatric Dentistry: is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children all the way through adolescence. They will also care for those with special health care needs.

Periodontics: is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their and the maintenance of their health, function and esthetics.

Prosthodontics: is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance of patients with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.