DDS vs DMD: What to Compare Before Dental School - Smiles Movement

You are building your list of dental schools, and the degree names keep changing. Some programs award a DDS. Others award a DMD. It is natural to wonder whether one is better, or whether the letters should shape where you apply.

Here is the quick answer to the DDS vs DMD question: the two degrees are equivalent, and the university chooses which name to award. The letters tell you very little about which school fits you. In this guide, you will learn what each degree means, what to compare instead, and how degree completion, exams and licensure fit together. You will also get a simple checklist you can use for every school on your list.

DDS vs DMD: equivalent degrees with different names

DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. The American Dental Association describes them as equivalent degrees with the same curriculum requirements.

The words "surgery" and "medicine" can make them sound like two career tracks. Both names describe the same first professional dental degree. A future oral surgeon and a future general dentist can earn either one. Specialty training is a separate decision that comes after dental school.

What matters more is accreditation. In the United States, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) reviews dental programs against shared standards for curriculum, faculty, patient care experiences and resources. You can check any program in CODA's program directory. Select the DDS/DMD category and make sure the listing matches the exact program you plan to apply to. Write down the date you checked.

A checklist for comparing dental schools

Since the degree name does not change your training, compare schools on things that affect your daily life and your future. Make one copy of this checklist for each school. For every answer, note the source and the date. If something is missing, write "needs confirmation" instead of guessing.

1. Program and accreditation. Record the school, campus, full degree name and CODA listing.
2. Requirements for your application cycle. Save the current prerequisites, tests and deadlines. Compare them with your own courses.
3. How you would learn. Ask how classes, simulation labs and supervised clinical work fit together, and how feedback works.
4. Student support. Find academic advising, accessibility and wellbeing resources. Ask who students contact when they need help.
5. Full cost of attendance. Record tuition, fees, instruments, housing and other costs. Check which year, residency status and months each estimate covers.
6. Graduation and licensure planning. Find the graduation requirements and ask how the school helps students prepare for licensing exams.

Then finish each school's page with two sentences: "This program fits me because..." and "Before deciding, I need to verify...".

Real school pages show why this matters. The University of Michigan's DDS cost-of-attendance page separates resident and nonresident costs and uses a shorter budget period for the first year. Those details change a cost comparison far more than the letters on the degree. If one estimate covers ten months and another covers twelve, they are not directly comparable.

For a broader view of the application process, read our guide to entering dental school.

Degree, exams and licensure are separate steps

Earning a DDS or DMD is one step. Getting licensed is another. It helps to keep three confirmations separate in your planning:

• Your school confirms degree completion. The ADA notes that nearly all U.S. states require a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited program for licensure.
• Exams provide separate evidence. The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is a licensure exam accepted across U.S. states and territories for all or part of the written requirement.
• The state board decides on your license. Clinical exam pathways and other rules vary by state, so check the board where you plan to practice.

The Dental Admission Test comes much earlier. It is used for dental school admission, not licensure. Our guide to the Dental Admission Test explains how to plan for it.

Canadian programs also award DDS and DMD degrees. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada lists accredited programs, and the National Dental Examining Board of Canada explains that its certificate and provincial licensure are separate steps. Our guide to dental schools in Canada covers the 10 accredited Canadian schools.

Learn about dentistry while you compare

As you research schools, think about what you still want to learn about the profession itself. Conversations with dentists, local shadowing and community service can all help. A dental service learning trip is one more option. On Smiles Movement trips, students shadow local dental professionals at mobile clinics and help with oral health education for children in partner communities.

Compare what really matters

Your degree may say DDS or DMD. The school you choose, and the experiences you bring with you, will shape your education far more. If you want to learn alongside dental professionals and partner communities, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.

Frequently asked questions about DDS vs DMD

Is a DMD better than a DDS?

No. The ADA describes DDS and DMD as equivalent degrees with the same curriculum requirements. The university decides which name to award.

What should I compare instead of the degree name?

Compare accreditation, application requirements, how you would learn, student support, total cost of attendance and how the school helps students prepare for licensure.

Does a DDS or DMD give me a license to practice?

No. Graduating from an accredited program is one requirement. You also need to pass the required exams and meet your state or provincial board's rules.