At the moment, we have two designations for degrees given to dentists: Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). Occasional editorials have been written about the advantages and disadvantages of one of the degrees over the other. I will not argue whether one is "better" than another, but will offer that in my own opinion it is a disservice to the profession and our patients to offer two degrees that are essentially identical. If there are really no differences, then one, not two degrees should be offered.
To make things more complicated, our profession appears to be moving towards becoming "physicians" of the mouth. We are not just "tooth doctors" any more.
Much has been written about the dental practitioner’s expertise in diagnosing and managing a range of diseases of the oral cavity and proximal structures. This is justifiably so. The plethora of descriptors utilized, however, makes one wonder if we are all on the same page.
Designations of specialists, associations and journals have included the terms "dental," "oral," "orodental," "orofacial," "dentofacial," "maxillofacial," "oral and maxillofacial" and "craniofacial." Even the designation "head and neck" has been considered. Is it any wonder some should be confused?
While the following suggestion would not take care of all of the terminological morass, it would more accurately describe the scope of our profession and move us from two degrees to one. As such, I would like to offer the term "Doctor of Stomatology" (S.D.) to be utilized in the coming years as our degree.
The term "stomatology" is now being utilized in many circles and several dental school departments or divisions come under this heading. I believe they are on to something, that the term encompasses the whole of the mouth and does not limit itself to teeth.
It would be of great merit to see the American Dental Association take the lead on this issue. I realize that the ADA has no governing authority over schools of dentistry to enact such a change. Any suggestions, however, if taken in the spirit of the common good, would likely be considered.
