J Dent Educ. 2022; 86: 998-1005
dentistry is the only major health care profession to have 2 ostensibly equivalent
degrees, which serves no useful purpose other than to reflect the different historical
origins of doctor of dental surgery (DDS) as surgery and doctor of dental medicine
(DMD) as medicine. This anachronism of 2 dental degrees leads to confusion among patients,
dentists, and other health care professionals.
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Biography
Dr. Giddon is a professor emeritus of developmental biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, and a clinical professor emeritus of behavioral and social sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island.
Biography
Dr. Giannobile is the dean and a professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 21, 2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected Proof
Footnotes
Commentaries represent the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the American Dental Association.
Disclosures. Drs. Giddon and Giannobile did not report any disclosures.
The authors thank Ira B. Lamster, DDS, MMSc, for consultation and Caroline Rains, BA, Meaghan Daley, BA, and Julisa Lucas, BS, for assistance in preparation of the article.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2023.02.006
Copyright
© 2023 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
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