Dentists calling themselves Doctors

bottletop · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:32

I noticed on my last trip to the dental surgery that all the dentists working there were using the title Dr. xxxx. I can't recall their qualifications, but it seems unlikely all 4 had a PhD or the necessary medical qualification to justify that title.

I have a PhD, so can use the title Doctor although I never do - not even in front of the "Doctors" at the dentists

Recently the ASA upheld a complaint about this, readable here http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2012/12/Woodvale-Clinic/SHP_ADJ_206574.aspx

And another report here http://www.consultingroom.com/blog/352/are-dentists-allowed-to-call-themselves-doctors?-no,-say-the-asa.

I understand the General Dental Council Standards Committee has also recommended Dentists stop using the term as well, unless qualified to.

So what do people think? Is your Dentist a Doctor or not? Does it actually matter?

[FnG]magnolia · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:35

I think that this thread will go the same way all the previous PhD threads have gone, with an appearance by DP before post 10 and the susequent 50 posts being about how you should/should not have to work 110 hour weeks at a non-European University or your PhD is entirely worthless.

To answer your question, no it does not matter.

Tummy · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:35

Does it really matter?

Theophany · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:37

Tummy said:
Does it really matter?

Dude, there are kids dying in wartorn hell holes all over the world and these KWAKS are using the title DOCTOR!!

YES IT MATTERS!!! :mad:

Monkeynut · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:37

What do you get if you cross a writer, a doctor and a dentist?

An author-don-tist.
Badoom-tish.

G-MAN2004 · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:39

No, it does not matter.

JonJ678 · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:40

Don't care. But I might if I was a doctor. As long as they're not dental engineers, no worries.

int · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:42

People work hard for the title of doctor, whether it's the temporary title you get whilst working in medicine, or the permanent title you get through a doctorate.

It's an awarded title, not something you can just call yourself.

bottletop · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:43

Well it could matter I guess if you had booked a flight using the name Dr. xxx and an emergency illness occurred during the flight (or some other improbable scenario).

As the flight attendants called out for a Doctor you steam to the front and say "open wide"

Disco Boy · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:44

It's a protected title so no they shouldn't use it. I wouldn't expect any decent dentist to use it...

atpbx · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:45

I call myself Dr flangees Hubcaps on business cards.

Am I in the wrong?

bottletop · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:46

atpbx said:
I call myself Dr flangees Hubcaps on business cards.

Am I in the wrong?

ASA say yes, but with a name like that you could get away with it

scorza · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:05

bottletop said:
So what do people think? Is your Dentist a Doctor or not? Does it actually matter?

I think the more important question is; Is your dentist a total babe or not? Mine is :cool:

it matters.

Edrof · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:08

scorza said:
I think the more important question is; Is your dentist a total babe or not? Mine is it matters.

Provide pics immediately, you rotten-pegged plaque pirate.

LOAM · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:09

Don't forget about Dre.

bottletop · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:09

scorza said:
I think the more important question is; Is your dentist a total babe or not? Mine is it matters.

He isn't.

Nymins · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:11

bottletop said:
I have a PhD, so can use the title Doctor although I never do

Say wha?!

If I had a PhD, I'd be using Dr. at every chance I could get.

aardvark · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:16

Nymins said:
Say wha?!

If I had a PhD, I'd be using Dr. at every chance I could get.

exactly - thats what i do!

ok, maybe not, but its really useful when complaining about something -you get a lot more respect. it shouldn't be like that, but it is.

dowie · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:19

Well at least they're not chiropractors calling themselves doctors.

Most GPs in the UK call themselves Dr without having earned a doctorate - the medical profession has done it for a while now - I don't see why dentists can't too.

bottletop · 19 Feb 2013 at 21:19

Nymins said:
Say wha?!

If I had a PhD, I'd be using Dr. at every chance I could get.

And you'd be getting confused with being a medical doctor all the time I expect, which is why I avoid using it in a non-professional (science) setting.

Most people think doctor=medic, rightly or wrongly.

So for example, if I got a job in a hospital pushing trolleys but used the title Dr it would be confusing. I understand this is becoming more of a problem in US hospitals with Doctorates in Nursing Practice using the title Doctor.

Edit to add, if you think of neurosurgeons etc, they use the title "Mr" to distinguish their specialisation from "regular" doctors. As a Dental Surgeon, should a dentist be referred to as "Mr" to.