Bhavik S. Desai DMD, PHD

A dentist is a person qualified by a doctorate in dental surgery (D.D.S.) or dental medicine (D.M.D.), licensed by the state to practice dentistry, and practicing within the scope of that license. There is no difference between the two degrees: dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities have the prerogative to determine what degree is awarded. Both degrees use the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist.

Oral Medicine is the specialty of dentistry responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for the diagnosis and management of medically related diseases, disorders and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral Medicine specialists have training and expertise in the diagnosis and management of oral and mucosal diseases, medical management of maxillofacial pathologies from hematology and oncology, organ transplant services, autoimmune disorders, including acute and chronic pain conditions of oral & maxillofacial region. Oral Medicine specialists co-manage oral and maxillofacial conditions and diseases in collaboration with medical specialists and other dentists in hospitals and outpatient medical clinics, particularly in the management of patients with complex medical conditions requiring multidisciplinary healthcare intervention.

The specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Source: NUCC, CMS