Why do specialists in dentistry get masters degrees but not MDs?

[Anonymous]

Why do dental specialties (orthodontics, periodontics) have masters degrees that you get after the DDS but MDs don't get master's degrees for their additional training in specialties?

[Anonymous]

Oral surgeons do. DMD (or DDS) then MD.

An orthodontist is still just a tooth mechanic, though. No need for physician licensure or training.

[Anonymous]

I misunderstood the grammar of your question.

Yeah, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

It’s similar for lawyers. Master of Laws after Doctor of Laws.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the question is confusing, sorry!

Let me rephrase.

All dentists get a first degree, the DDS. Those who go on to do a specialty get an MS degree after that.

All medical doctors get an MD. Many go on to specialize and get further educations in say psychiatry or radiology. But there is no degree granted for further training in specialties.

Why do dentists who get further training in specialties get degrees while medical doctors who get further training in specialities don't?

[Anonymous]

I think this may have to do with cultural perception and what is sometimes called countersignaling.

MD is already a flex and a master's degree is just something they could use to wipe their a$$.

DDS doesn't have the same social prestige, so an additional degree is an attempt to *signal* an increase in training and prestige.

MDs *countersignal*, which is when you don't bother to gild your resume or credentials, sometimes even declining to put degree initials and licensure after your name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s similar for lawyers. Master of Laws after Doctor of Laws.

It's counterintuitive. The Census Bureau and the BLS for instance suggest that first professional degrees are "higher" than master's degrees when they provide data on educational attainment. For instance if you have an MA in political science and a JD, your highest educational attainment is "professional degree." In this case, one doesn't really outrank the other because they're different areas of study. But the LL.M. outranks the JD in the study of law even though it's "only" a master's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s similar for lawyers. Master of Laws after Doctor of Laws.

It's counterintuitive. The Census Bureau and the BLS for instance suggest that first professional degrees are "higher" than master's degrees when they provide data on educational attainment. For instance if you have an MA in political science and a JD, your highest educational attainment is "professional degree." In this case, one doesn't really outrank the other because they're different areas of study. But the LL.M. outranks the JD in the study of law even though it's "only" a master's.

Although most of the people I know with LLMs are international students with a non-US law degree who did it to qualify to take the bar in a US jurisdiction. I know very few US JDs who did LLMs.

[Anonymous]

NYU has the LLM in tax and several other specialties. Just because they're rare that doesn't mean they don't involve more extensive study.

https://www.law.nyu.edu/llmjsd/taxation

[Anonymous]

Some dental schools give DMD degrees, not DDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some dental schools give DMD degrees, not DDS.

Question remains the same. In dental schools, the MS follows the DDS or DMD.

[Anonymous]

So to clarify medical training- it starts with a undergrad degree in anything with prerequisites, then MCAT then 4 years of medical school. Once you get through medical school, you are a physician. You then specialize via residency, which is an apprenticeship model. Once you are in residency, you are no longer a student but a trainee. We are then boarded in our specialties once we complete residency. So technically an MD who completes med school is a physician but has to complete residency to be board eligible for their speciality. No need for a masters.
-MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oral surgeons do. DMD (or DDS) then MD.

An orthodontist is still just a tooth mechanic, though. No need for physician licensure or training.

My kid's tooth mechanic is crazy rich. I chose the wrong profession.

[Anonymous]

Ask the ADA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oral surgeons do. DMD (or DDS) then MD.

An orthodontist is still just a tooth mechanic, though. No need for physician licensure or training.

Most oral surgeons are not MD’s.