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What is the difference between a doctor of dental surgery and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
I am a third-year biology student interested in pursuing dentistry. #dentist #surgeon #JULY20
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Aaron’s Answer
A doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) is the degree you would need after a bachelor's degree in order to begin practicing dentistry. Becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon requires an additional residency and/or degree program that lasts several years. The shorter residencies just make you "board eligible." The longer residencies make you board eligible and award an MD degree. So, some oral surgeons only have a DDS/DMD degree, while others also have an MD. (One of my family members is a dentist.)