"Can you call a dentist a doctor?" is a common question that arises due to the overlap in the healthcare field. While dentists and medical doctors share similarities, there are key differences in their training and scope of practice.
Dentists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity, which includes the teeth, gums, and jaw. They undergo extensive training in dental schools, earning either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. While these degrees do confer the title of "doctor," it is important to note that dentists are not medical doctors (MDs) and do not have the same level of training in general medicine.