One of the general dentist degrees, the Doctor of Dental Surgery takes eight years to achieve: four year of undergraduate study and four years of dental school, followed by licensing exams that vary from state to state. In the United Kingdom, this degree is known as B.D.S, standing for Bachelor of Dental Surgery. A D.D.S is a general dentist, that is, someone you can start off with, who can do all dental work and refer you to a specialist if you need specialized attention in a specific field such as orthodontics or maxillofacial surgery.
Also one of the general dentist degrees, the D.M.D dentist degree is in all ways equivalent to the D.D.S. dental degree, according to the American Dental Association. However, the only schools that confer this degree to become general dentists are the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Louisville, the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center and the University of Tufts.
The Master of Science (M.S) are postgraduate dentist degrees that enable general dentists to specialize. The different types of M.S degrees in dentistry include M.S. in Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Dental Hygiene, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Maxillofacial Surgery and more. To get an M.S. Degree, general dentists are required to study for another two years, depending on the course credits assigned. Course credits are determined by different universities.
The F.A.G.D is awarded to dentists who have either the D.D.S or the D.M.D. The Academy of General Dentistry (A.G.D) looks upon the F.A.G.D as one that is awarded to dentists who have been recognized by other dentists as leaders who are committed to quality patient care through continuing dental education. To get a F.A.G.D award, a general dentist should be a member of the A.G.D for five years, have at least 500 approved continuing dental education credits and pass a 400 question exam. The M.A.G.D is awarded to Fellows who complete another 600 dental education credits.