Dan Holtzclaw, DDS, is an experienced dental surgeon who applies his expertise at the Austin Dental Implant Center in Texas. Prior to his work in Austin, Dan Holtzclaw, DDS, attended the Dental School at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he obtained a doctor of dental surgery.
While the doctor of dental surgery (DDS) credential sounds like it is different from a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) designation, both degrees mean the same thing, entail the same education, and allow dentists to practice the same range of work. The primary factor in determining whether a dental student receives a DDS or a DMD is the university they attend.
Although universities have the flexibility to decide whether to award a DMD or a DDS, they must follow specific requirements outlined by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation to award a degree. These requirements include graduating from an accredited dental school and completing specific coursework. Additionally, dental students must complete at least three years of undergraduate studies prior to attending dental school.
