are dentist physician
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in dentistry —the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. Some physicians may think and act like dentists are second-class citizens in the health care world, but for the most part, they appreciate us. I also know some dentists that think they are physicians and walk around like they are doing brain surgery every day. Dentists and physicians are different animals, but both worthy of the title of Doctor. Most physicians I believe value and respect us and want a dentist on the front line of battle with them. If you think of a real doctor as a PHYSICIAN, then optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, and chiropractors etc are not real doctors. Any doctorate degree person can claim the term doctor e.g. PhD in engineering. By no means do I think or feel I am a physician. I have a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. I spent 4 years after undergraduate and then another two years of formal accredited education learning about the diseases and conditions that are associated with the oral cavity, head and neck. The dentist's supporting team aids in providing oral health services. The dental team includes dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and in some states, dental therapists. As I understand it, there are three categories of medical professionals who can legitimately be called medical doctors: physicians (MD/DO), dentists (DMD) and veterinarians (DVM). Along with the first dental school came the establishment of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, often refereed to as a DDS degree. In response to the rise in new dentists as well as dentistry techniques, the first dental practice act was established. The act was created to regulate dentistry. I think maybe the only other health care doctor other than a dentist that takes more of a beating is the chiropractor (as Rodney Dangerfield stated, “I get no respect!”). If you read my blog last week, I ended it telling you to go to YouTube, look up Dentist vs. Doctor, and watch the extra normal video. While nearly all dental schools require at least a bachelor's degree (4 years of college coursework), a select few may consider admitting exceptional students after only 3 years of college, although this is very rare. To apply, students must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). I am a dentist, not a physician. I took several courses that physicians take in medical school, but not with the same focus, and I think, not with the same depth. I didn't spend three years as a resident in a hospital, and I normally don't deal with life and death situations.
No