Are Dentists Doctors?

Have you ever wondered whether your dentist counts as a doctor? You wouldn’t be the first to ask, as after all, some of them wear scrubs, they use complex tools, and know their way around anatomy just as much as any medical professional, but are dentists actually doctors?

Let’s break it down and clear up some confusion around titles, roles, and what dentists can (and can’t) do.

Is a dentist a doctor?

Technically, yes, dentists are doctors, but not in the same way as your GP or hospital consultant.

Dentists are doctors of oral health, not medical doctors, so in the UK, dentists qualify with degrees such as BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or BChD (Bachelor of Dental Chirurgery). These are equivalent in level to a medical degree (like MBBS or MBChB), but they’re just focused entirely on the mouth, teeth, and surrounding structures instead of the whole body.

So while your dentist might not be a ‘doctor’ in the way you think of a doctor, like in the hospital or general practice sense, they are highly trained clinicians who diagnose, prevent, and treat conditions of the teeth, gums, and jaws.

In short, dentists are a type of doctor,  just a different kind who isn’t medically trained to diagnose and treat the whole body.

Are dentists physicians?

This is often where people get mixed up as the word physician traditionally refers to a medical doctor (someone who’s trained in general medicine and treats a wide range of physical conditions), but Dentists, on the other hand, are specialist healthcare professionals who focus exclusively on oral and dental health.

Is a dentist a medical doctor?

Medical doctors (GPs, surgeons, etc.) train to diagnose and treat diseases across the whole body. Dentists, meanwhile, train in the anatomy and diseases of the oral and maxillofacial area, which is everything from your teeth and gums to your jaw and facial muscles.

The overlap is significant though, as dentists can often spot signs of systemic health problems like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or even oral cancers before your GP might.

In fact, dentists work closely with medical doctors when conditions affect both your oral health and your general wellbeing. So while dentists aren’t medical doctors, they’re very much part of the wider healthcare team.

So, just to be clear: 

Are dentists physicians? No, they’re not classed as physicians.

Are dentists doctors? Yes, but their doctorate is in dental surgery, not medicine.

Are dentists medical doctors? No, a dentist is not a medical doctor.

While both professions require years of intense training and clinical practice, they work in different areas of healthcare.

What qualifications do dentists have?

In the UK, every qualified dentist will hold a BDS or BChD degree from a recognised dental school, which typically take five years of full-time study and include:

• Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and microbiology (yes, the same medical sciences studied by doctors)
• Hands-on clinical training in treating patients
• Courses in radiology, pharmacology, and oral surgery

After graduation, dentists complete one year of vocational training under supervision before registering with the General Dental Council (GDC). Only then can they legally practise as a dentist in the UK.

However, many dentists go on to study further, specialising in areas such as:

• Oral surgery
• Orthodontics (braces and alignment)
• Endodontics (root canals)
• Implantology
• Periodontics (gum disease)

So while the path is slightly different, the depth of training is on the same level as that of a doctor.

Why do some dentists use the title “Dr.”?

In the UK, you’ll notice some dentists introduce themselves as “Dr.” while others don’t, and hat’s because the title is honorary, but not mandatory.

Using “Dr.” helps clarify that a dentist holds a doctoral-level qualification, but it’s used to indicate professional standing rather than a medical licence. It’s completely acceptable under General Dental Council (GDC) guidance, provided it doesn’t mislead patients into thinking the dentist is a medical doctor.

How dental and medical training differ

Here’s a quick comparison of what dentists and medical doctors study and how their paths diverge:

• Degree:
  • Dentists: BDS / BChD (5 years)
  • Medical Doctors: MBBS / MBChB (5–6 years)
• Focus:
  • Dentists: Teeth, gums, mouth, jaws, and facial structures
  • Medical Doctors: Whole-body medicine and surgery
• Postgraduate Training:
  • Dentists: Vocational training and dental specialisms
  • Medical Doctors: Foundation training and medical specialities
• Governing Body:
  • Dentists: General Dental Council (GDC)
  • Medical Doctors: General Medical Council (GMC)

What does a dentist actually do?

Dentists diagnose, treat, and prevent problems affecting the mouth and jaw, and their scope of care covers more than you may think. 

• Restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, bridges, implants)
• Preventive care (cleaning, hygiene advice, health checks)
• Cosmetic treatments (whitening, veneers, smile makeovers)
• Oral surgery (tooth extractions, implant placement)
• Detecting signs of wider health issues in the mouth

So, is a dentist a doctor? Absolutely, just not a medical one. Dentists are highly trained healthcare experts with doctorate-level qualifications, dedicated to keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums in top shape.

They might not treat general medical conditions, but their work plays a huge role in your overall health and confidence.

At Smile Stories, we like to say our dentists are doctors with a difference. They don’t just fix teeth, they transform smiles, boost confidence, and help you feel your absolute best. Only the very best dentists make it onto our team, so you know your smile’s in expert hands.