Do Dentists Deserve the “Dr.” Title?
Yes, we do. But I (a periodontist) prefer not to use it.
“Two letters, one period, so much fuss.”
If you google the highest paid jobs in the US and the world, dentists or dental specialists are certainly among the top 10. However, most of the general population consider dentists to be pain-inflicting, money looting, white coat professionals who hassle over something as minor as teeth.
Even I was oblivious to the fact that dentistry is much more than just teeth until I entered a dental school where I went through 4 plus years of tough grind, with coursework, examinations, and clinical curriculum, followed by one year of compulsory internship.
I was proud the day I added “Dr.” to my name, only to eventually feel like a small fry among my medico relatives and friends who were out there saving lives.
Additionally, the pop culture and media representation of dentists harbored more suspicion in my title and career choice.
“Dr. Price? Stu, you are a dentist, okay? Don’t try and get fancy.”
- Phil from The Hangover“You are a doctor of gums. That is the smallest body part you can major in. It’s like day one, floss. Day two, here’s your diploma.”
- Dr. Ross Geller from Friends (a paleontologist with a Ph.D. while looking down on a periodontist)
What would happen if someone needed urgent medical assistance at a restaurant or on a flight, and I were the only health worker around?
I picture a situation where I raise my hand when the flight attendant asks for a doctor.
“Oh, Thank God! Doctor, we need you. A man at the back is having a stroke.”
I would probably get unconscious with a panic attack.
Even though we receive training to attend to minor emergencies in dental school, it was something I dreaded because we do not experience it as much in daily practice as medical doctors do.
Thus stemmed the million-dollar question — Are dentists doctors?
The ‘Origins’ story
Doctor originated from docere, a Latin word meaning to teach or a scholar. In British usage, a period does not follow “Dr” in the abbreviation, unlike the American version.
Earlier, “Doctors of the church” were eminent authorities of the Christian church who taught and interpreted the Bible. Since the 13th century, scholars with a terminal degree in theology, law, medicine, arts, and sciences, would acquire the right to teach and receive the title of “Dr.” It is an abbreviation of Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.), which is an extensively research-oriented degree. Prestige and respect in society was a natural outcome of this title.
Although the reports of the first medical universities date back to the 12th century in Europe, it was from the 17th century that physicians also were referred to as doctors. The medieval hierarchy of medical services as physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries, had different roles to play. Physicians were gentlemen with college degrees, who diagnosed and treated only the aristocrats.
Surgeons, on the other hand, performed bloodletting procedures such as tooth extractions, amputations, stitching up wounds, and setting fractured bones, and were also barbers (called barber-surgeons).
Yes! BARBERS!
Imagine getting a haircut while getting your tooth extracted.
They were trained through apprenticeship and treated the less fortunate. By the mid 18th century, there was a rise in surgeon-apothecary, the modern-day general practitioners. Yet, surgeons were only appendages to physicians with the title of “Mr.” or “Miss” who did all the dirty work for them. By the 19th century, however, surgeons were more immersed in the medical operation.
Even though some countries such as the UK, Australia, and Ireland, title surgeons as Mister/Miss even today, in modern English, doctors include scholars with a doctorate in any subject, and medical professionals such as physicians, surgeons, dentists, and veterinarians (even with bachelor degrees).
Let’s get to the “root” of the problem.
Some members of the medical fraternity and some laymen do not concur with dentists being called doctors. They look down on dentists as paraprofessionals who do not have to deal with serious injuries/illnesses.
Dentists, indeed, have a more flexible and less demanding lifestyle as compared to most medical physicians and surgeons. However, dentistry, like other health care sectors, does not belong to the ‘quick-payback’ category. It takes years of backbreaking work (literally!) to earn back the massive dental school tuition fee. This scenario is more detrimental for those caught up in the calamity, that is student loans. Dental graduates are said to have the fourth highest debt-to-income ratio among other professions.
Although the two professions are different, there is more in common than generally perceived. Stay with me as I think out loud.
1. In addition to the basic dental subjects, the first two years of dental and medical schools include a similar curriculum, consisting of the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. In the following years, both graduates have theoretical and practical sessions in general medicine and general surgery. Dental trainees study these topics in tailored proportions as compared to their medical peers.
One of my general medicine professors used to sarcastically call us (dental students) “Head and neck without a brain” because our theory was mainly the head and neck anatomy in detail, and less about the brain.
That said, it is surprising that the duration of both courses is similar.The training and education for both courses are rigorous in their separate ways, none better than the other.
2. Dentists, like all doctors, are highly efficient and capable of diagnosing disease and treating it. Dentists, too, come across some critical illnesses/injuries, such as oral cancer, trauma to the jaw or teeth, gangrenes, and abscesses.
Anyone who has experienced severe toothache would agree that it is excruciatingly painful, and what dentists do to relive the pain is nothing short of saving lives.
3. Like the medicos know more about the rest of the body, dentists know much more about teeth, jaws, tongue, salivary glands, and the joint. Although medicine covers a broader range of health concerns, medical doctors cannot accurately detect and tackle oral diseases.
4. Pharmacology is a major basic-science topic for both medical and dental bachelors, ergo both professionals are legally allowed to prescribe drugs to their patients. Although dentists mostly only prescribe pain killers and antibiotics, they also need to have a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology to acknowledge and evaluate drug interactions and its side effects.
5. All doctors are not surgeons, but all dentists are surgeons. Dentists are rightfully called dental surgeons, who regularly practice invasive procedures such as root canal treatment, tooth extraction, flap surgeries, jaw surgeries, and cleft lip and palate corrections. Dentistry is very technique sensitive and demands a certain degree of hand skills for handling minuscule tissues and instruments.
Another ordeal we commonly associate with doctors is injections, and dentists have mastered nerve block injections for local anesthesia as well.
Moreover, dentists, like plastic surgeons, have a more cosmetic approach to most of their procedures as they treat the teeth and face region.
Everybody wants a Hollywood smile these days.
6. A matter of concern that is left out commonly is that our mouth is a mirror to our whole body. Dentists can find signs of systemic conditions in the oral cavity before any other obvious signs and symptoms appear.
Your dentist could diagnose diabetes or anemia before a physician, which is also why we recommend regular visits to the dentist.
On the other hand, we also have abundant literature stating that poor oral hygiene and oral infections can result in systemic diseases. Diseases that can affect other parts of the body, such as heart conditions, diabetes, bacterial pneumonia, and even low birth weight disorders in newborns (if the mother had a severe oral infection).
My “Floss”-sophy
I prefer not addressing myself as “Dr. XXX.” outside my professional space.
Despite all the comparisons with medicine, when dentists refer to themselves as “Drs.” it can get confusing in a social setting.
Ph.D. scholars with actual doctorates also wear their titles as medals of honor because it is a prestigious one after all. In most parts of the world, “Drs.” are people who treat and cure diseases of the body. Even though dentists perform the same duty, it is less demanding and critical in the public eye.
As dentists, it is our responsibility to understand that physicians and surgeons have a broader understanding of the entire human body and that our profession does not become the same as theirs just with a title.
All health service providers are under the same umbrella and must work together as a unit for preventative care.
I believe every job/degree is equally respectable, and a title must not determine the measure of respect a person receives in family and society.
A title is necessary to create a hierarchy in the workplace. In the community’s best interest, it is best to try and refrain from using this title outside of work.
I agree we have earned the title by climbing mountains and crossing rivers, but always make sure you clarify your profession if you are going with “Dr.”
Besides, what’s in a title? Respect will automatically come to you when you offer the best services.
“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.”
-R.G. Risch
