If only medical professionals irrespective of the field of our specialization can agree and collaborate to improve patient outcome rather than arguing about who is who, healthcare challenges in Nigeria would've been a thing of the past.

MBBS or BDS we're all one fighting for a common goal i.e to save lives. So what's the cause of the hierarchy and insecurity?

Can a man grow in stature by making others feel small?

I Just bumed into this, op what a beautifully put together story,
Some mbbs students are always too insecured, see them ranting everywhere, nobody said MBBS and BDS is the same thing, yeah Our curriculum is nearly identical, and dentistry is basically medicine/surgery of the mouth(dental medicine/surgery) apart from that, Dental students in Nigeria also rotate medicine,surgery,pediatrics and anesthesiology, and dentists are also aware of how the body works, from all the argument i'm seeing here, it's quite laughable that people type out of ignorance
first of all, a dentist is not a physician(graduate of medicine), a dentist is a Doctor of oral health, Dentists perform surgery on the soft tissues of the mouth, they examine, diagnose, treat disease of the oral cavity, dentists have same prescribing rights with physicians, use the "Dr" Title and run a specialist clinic(dental), some dentists go ahead to specialize in oral-maxillofacial-(surgery, radiology and pathology), orthodontics e.t.c
a Dentist is a Doctor

[quote author= @sgtponzihater1 post

Are Dentists, Doctors (Dr)?

who made that article?,

you shared an article without doing proper research... I don't know what you gained by defending yourself with lies.

first of all, a graduate of medicine is called a PHYSICIAN(medical doctor), a graduate of dentistry is called a DENTIST(dental surgeon).

is a dentist a doctor? Yes!, why is a dentist a doctor?, the same qualities that classify a physician a doctor!

are dentists doctors in the uk? No!, why? Because it has been in the UK tradition that surgeons are not doctors, and hence any specialist who practice any form of surgery is not a doctor but a SURGEON(Mr.) due to the history of medicine and surgery.

physicians were the only recognized doctors in the UK tradition, because they attended a traditional med school to be qualified, while SURGEONS, learnt "surgery" through "apprenticeship", and were considered inferior to physicians.

[quote author= @sgtponzihater1 :

that's why in "british english", another word for "physician" is "doctor", and "dentist"= "dental surgeon", a dental surgeon, is a dentist(BDS) who practice dentistry(a branch of surgery), while a SURGEON is a specialized physician(mbbs) who practice any branch of surgery. A Physician(mbbs) who specializes in any branch of medicine, get an MD(e.g Doctor of Medicine, in internal medicine), and is recognized as a doctor(MD), while a physician, who specializes in any branch of surgery gets an MS(e.g Master of Surgery, in general surgery), and is recognized as a SURGEON(MS), and no longer use the "DR" Title but "Mr.", and is not considered a doctor with an MS, surgeons in the UK are only considered doctors because they hold the primary MBBS, dental surgeons do not hold MBBS(are not physicians), and their degree is purely surgical(BDS) and hence are not considered doctors according to the UK tradition, all members of the Royal College of Surgeons. Are not addressed as doctors

@sgtponzihater1

the problem you're having is quoting the UK tradition in a Nigerian forum. There's no tradition in Nigeria that says "dentists are not doctors", even it the UK, dentists are doctors, but "un-recognized", few dental schools there, give out the "Dr." title to dentists, since dentists are not recognized as doctors there(for practicing a branch of surgery), they are warned to use their title appopraitely, in order not to be mistaken for physicians(UK Traditional doctors).

to another part of your point "medical doctor", yes, dentists are not the "traditional medical doctors"(physicians). Because they graduate from a dental program rather than the "medical",
but not withstanding a physician(INTERNIST) holds an MD(Doctor of Medicine, in internal medicine). What actually qualifies him as a medical doctor is the degree(MD), and also mbbs. dentists are also qualified to use the term "(medical doctor of the mouth)"=(dental doctor), because some dentists also hold a DMD=Doctor of Dental Medicine.

@sgtponzihater1
The latin translation of DMD=Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. So if dentists say they are also medical doctors, yes! There are, though not the "traditional physician", but of the mouth(dental doctor). Countries like "bangladesh", have laws stating only MBBS & BDS, as certified Medical Doctors. And only the duo use the term "medical doctor" there... I'm going through all your fallacies, one after the other, so that future readers, won't be misled.

another of your point, "when people say they are going to a doctor, they are refering to a medical doctor(physician)", i believe, that should be in the UK, and what happens there, stays there. In general, when you say "you're going to see a doctor", you're either most appopraitely refering to a gp-physician, or any type of doctor, (including dentists), except you're writing in "British English"

DiazDDS:
@sgtponzihater1

the problem you're having is quoting the UK tradition in a Nigerian forum. There's no tradition in Nigeria that says "dentists are not doctors", even it the UK, dentists are doctors, but "un-recognized", few dental schools there, give out the "Dr." title to dentists, since dentists are not recognized as doctors there(for practicing a branch of surgery), they are warned to use their title appopraitely, in order not to be mistaken for physicians(UK Traditional doctors).

to another part of your point "medical doctor", yes, dentists are not the "traditional medical doctors"(physicians). Because they graduate from a dental program rather than the "medical",
but not withstanding a physician(INTERNIST) holds an MD(Doctor of Medicine, in internal medicine). What actually qualifies him as a medical doctor is the degree(MD), and also mbbs. dentists are also qualified to use the term "(medical doctor of the mouth)"=(dental doctor), because some dentists also hold a DMD=Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Please sir, stop all these!!! you are further degrading your profession with all these analogies. A dentist is A dentist and a Medical Dr is A medical Dr simple. Sir, Dentistry is a beautiful and well respected profession all over the world and does not need MBBS to survive. When you make all these kind of analogies, you make it seem like dentistry cannot stand alone without been related to MBBS which further degrades your profession.

@sgtponzihater1

another point, nobody said MBBS, & BDS are the same thing, dentistry as a profession is a branch of surgery, and as well a division of allopathic medicine. Medicine & dentistry are very similar, but no dentist can ever claim to be an MBBS, why?
1. Mbbs can never be qualified to do our job.
2. Mbbs can't run a dental clinic
3. Mbbs can never be addressed as "Dentists"

you're only speaking out of jealousy and hatred because you're not intelligent enough to be qualified as a doctor. The only way dentists are excluded from the word "doctor" is "british english". Even the "American English", recognizes "dentists as doctors.", showing you that UK tradition stays in UK.

and if you think that doctors are not skilled and qualified enough to treat a swollen jaw, perform an RCT, pulpectomy and even screen for oral manifestations of general systemic diseases, then be my guest, just call us "Dentists"="super doctors", and don't forget we are members of the Royal College of surgeons UK. (Higher doctors)

@seunH

how i'm I degrading my profession?, where did I Say that my profession is the same with MBBS?

i made up all the replies to correct fallacies against my profession, because those fallacies can mislead people.

i'm BDS and i'm proud of it.

why not take time and read all i've posted, before saying anything?

@seunH

how i'm I degrading my profession?, where did I Say that my profession is the same with MBBS?

i made up all the replies to correct fallacies against my profession, which are actually insulting and degrading to my profession. because those fallacies can mislead people.

i'm BDS and i'm proud of it.

why not take time and read all i've posted, before saying anything?

DiazDDS:
@seunH

how i'm I degrading my profession?, where did I Say that my profession is the same with MBBS?

i made up all the replies to correct fallacies against my profession, because those fallacies can mislead people.

i'm BDS and i'm proud of it.

why not take time and read all i've posted, before saying anything?

My chief, please kindly show the world the beauty of your profession without mentioning MBBS simple!!! that's what I'm trying to say. Even if someone "spreads a fallacy about your profession", you can still correct the fallacy without mentioning MBBS. Please don't take it personal, sincerely I mean well !!!

DiazDDS:
@sgtponzihater1

another point, nobody said MBBS, & BDS are the same thing, dentistry as a profession is a branch of surgery, and as well a division of allopathic medicine. Medicine & dentistry are very similar, but no dentist can ever claim to be an MBBS, why?
1. Mbbs can never be qualified to do our job.
2. Mbbs can't run a dental clinic
3. Mbbs can never be addressed as "Dentists"

you're only speaking out of jealousy and hatred because you're not intelligent enough to be qualified as a doctor. The only way dentists are excluded from the word "doctor" is "british english". Even the "American English", recognizes "dentists as doctors.", showing you that UK tradition stays in UK.

and if you think that doctors are not skilled and qualified enough to treat a swollen jaw, perform an RCT, pulpectomy and even screen for oral manifestations of general systemic diseases, then be my guest, just call us "Dentists"="super doctors", and don't forget we are members of the Royal College of surgeons UK. (Higher doctors)

This was long time ago. Slightly wonder why you chose to respond only today.

My message is clear and not borne out of jealously. A Chiropractic Doctor, Dentist, Medical Doctor are all Doctors. But have different job specification, as well as title. More so dentistry and medicine are now different faculties.If you mention being a medical doctor the first thing that jumps off to every sane mind would be MBBS. This is not diminishing the effort of other hard working professionals.

Its an act of deception to go whining about how you are a medical doctor, when you could simply save the drama and say you are a Dentist. MBBS would need further training to become dentists and this is vice versa. The patients should be the overall interest rather than some unhealthy self aggrandisement. Medical Doctors would strictly be MBBS in any case and by all standard. Now that Dentistry have fought for a different faculty in Nigeria, I thought this bantering will eventually die down.

My mentor is a Dentist so it's only appreciation and regard from here.

Hope you stay well and good during this precarious time

All the best

Ponzi hater

@seunH

I know you mean well, but you don't understand my replies... If you go back and follow my replies, you'll find out that i was only quoting from @sgtponzihater1 comments, i was trying to correct his claims.

I ask again, can you point out where I used MBBS to back up BDS?, or can you point out where I said that MBBS and BDS are the same?, or where I Said we are one?

I Have countlesslely pointed out in most of comments that 1. MBBS and BDS are different. 2. MBBS are the traditional "medical doctors". 3. Dentists are doctors.

if you go through all my comments from the beginning without sentiments, you'll find out that the above ^ points is what i've been trying to prove.

mentioning MBBS, doesn't mean that i'm using them to cover my profession, i'm not an MBBS, and I see no reason why I, or any BDS should Use MBBS to project our profession, when MBBS are not even qualified to do our job. we are proudly what we are, we are dentists, doctors of oral health.

go through all my comments again
~cheers

DiazDDS:
@seunH

I know you mean well, but you don't understand my replies... If you go back and follow my replies, you'll find out that i was only quoting from @sgtponzihater1 comments, i was trying to correct his claims.

I ask again, can you point out where I used MBBS to back up BDS?, or can you point out where I said that MBBS and BDS are the same?, or where I Said we are one?

I Have countlesslely pointed out in most of comments that 1. MBBS and BDS are different. 2. MBBS are the traditional "medical doctors". 3. Dentists are doctors.

if you go through all my comments from the beginning without sentiments, you'll find out that the above ^ points is what i've been trying to prove.

mentioning MBBS, doesn't mean that i'm using them to cover my profession, i'm not an MBBS, and I see no reason why I, or any BDS should Use MBBS to project our profession, when MBBS are not even qualified to do our job. we are proudly what we are, we are dentists, doctors of oral health.

go through all my comments again
~cheers

I have responded to you. Kindly stop quoting me and enjoy your year. People are going through alot and putting a chip on your shoulder would not solve their problems.

Regards

sgtponzihater1:


I have responded to you. Kindly stop quoting me and enjoy your year. People are going through alot and putting a chip on your shoulder would not solve their problems.

Regards

.

DiazDDS:
@seunH

I know you mean well, but you don't understand my replies... If you go back and follow my replies, you'll find out that i was only quoting from @sgtponzihater1 comments, i was trying to correct his claims.

I ask again, can you point out where I used MBBS to back up BDS?, or can you point out where I said that MBBS and BDS are the same?, or where I Said we are one?

I Have countlesslely pointed out in most of comments that 1. MBBS and BDS are different. 2. MBBS are the traditional "medical doctors". 3. Dentists are doctors.

if you go through all my comments from the beginning without sentiments, you'll find out that the above ^ points is what i've been trying to prove.

mentioning MBBS, doesn't mean that i'm using them to cover my profession, i'm not an MBBS, and I see no reason why I, or any BDS should Use MBBS to project our profession, when MBBS are not even qualified to do our job. we are proudly what we are, we are dentists, doctors of oral health.

go through all my comments again
~cheers

As you wish sir, I rest my case and I wish you the best!!

TeflonBlixx:


I don know.

Keep defending dentistry with passion brutha

Brhoe

Muquadam:


Brhoe

You don open akkant?

LMAO

TeflonBlixx:


You don open akkant?

LMAO

Since

Interesting thread

Omo...this was interesting and really funny at the same time . Ignorance is really a disease.

Dentists are Medical doctors. Veterinarian are medical doctors. PhD degree holders are Doctors.
Any of them is right saying he's a doctor. It is left to you who is asking ,to ask the person in what field he's a doctor, instead of jumping into conclusion that the person is trying to claim MBBS degree or tried to claim studying Medicine.!

Bouquay43:
Dentists are Medical doctors. Veterinarian are medical doctors. PhD degree holders are Doctors.
Any of them is right saying he's a doctor. It is left to you who is asking ,to ask the person in what field he's a doctor, instead of jumping into conclusion that the person is trying to claim MBBS degree or tried to claim studying Medicine.!

Hmm true sha

A man attended Dental school and came out as a dentist, yet he rather live a lie on nairaland claiming medical school experience, rather than Dental school experience.

The biggest problem I see with the average black man is the craze for titles and position.

Medicine is not as rewarding as it used to be a Decade ago. Most Medical doctors cannot afford to rent an apartment in Ikoyi or in an affluent neighborhood, yet charlatans who studied allied health profession like Dentistry, optometrists keep pretending to be medical doctors, rather than accepting to be Dental Surgeons or optometrists as the case may be.

This post could have served its purpose to inspire aspiring dentist, but it ended up highlighting the gross inferiority of allied health professionals, and the typical pride that has eroded the Nigerian health system.

All the best champ.

sgtponzihater1:
A man attended Dental school and came out as a dentist, yet he rather live a lie on nairaland claiming medical school experience, rather than Dental school experience.

The biggest problem I see with the average black man is the craze for titles and position.

Medicine is not as rewarding as it used to be a Decade ago. Most Medical doctors cannot afford to rent an apartment in Ikoyi or in an affluent neighborhood, yet charlatans who studied allied health profession like Dentistry, vetinary medicine keep pretending to be medical doctors, rather than accepting to be Dental Surgeons or vetinary Doctors as the case may be.

This post could have served its purpose to inspire aspiring dentist, but it ended up highlighting the gross inferiority of allied health professionals, and the typical pride that has eroded the Nigerian health system.

All the best champ.

My chief, you're among the few people I respect their opinion on this forum because of your objectivity, but I believe you should strike out Vets from the above, it's only a foolish veterinarian that would claim to be an MBBS holder (medical Dr). The difference between the two professions is very wide although there are similarities. Hence if you attempt it as a Vet, you would be found out easily, How? where would you say you are working? Human hospitals don't have Veterinary department hence such charlatan would be trapped. Number 2, what would you tell your clients? That you're an MBBS holder, and then lose clients? Take me for instance, I run a thread on this forum called "Talk to a Veterinarian" in the pet section. I'll love you to check it out, the comments and the views. Now imagine as a Vet, I now say for instance "Talk to a Medical Doctor", I don't think I'll be able to reach out to my clients nor get such views and comments. And you have to be fair to Vets, even on this forum, I don't think on this forum any Vet has ever claimed to be a medical doctor. Even there was a thread of a Vet who graduated last year that hit FP, the guy boldly distinguished himself as a VET who just graduated from VET SCHOOL. So my chief, I still respect you though but you need to be fair on Vets. Dentistry unlike Veterinary medicine is easy for you to claim to be a medical doctor, why? There share similar titles, share similar college, share similar residency and postgraduate program and even share similar workplace. Hence if a charlatan dentist claims to be an MBBS holder, it would be quite difficult to find out. For instance Dr Ponzihater, FWACS working in LUTH, could actually be a dentist but you would never know, although I know many dentist who are proud of their profession and I love and respect them.

seunH:
My chief, you're among the few people I respect their opinion on this forum because of your objectivity, but I believe you should strike out Vets from the above, it's only a foolish veterinarian that would claim to be an MBBS holder (medical Dr). The difference between the two professions is very wide although there are similarities. Hence if you attempt it as a Vet, you would be found out easily, How? where would you say you are working? Human hospitals don't have Veterinary department hence such charlatan would be trapped. Number 2, what would you tell your clients? That you're an MBBS holder, and then lose clients? Take me for instance, I run a thread on this forum called "Talk to a Veterinarian" in the pet section. I'll love you to check it out, the comments and the views. Now imagine as a Vet, I now say for instance "Talk to a Medical Doctor", I don't think I'll be able to reach out to my clients nor get such views and comments. And you have to be fair to Vets, even on this forum, I don't think on this forum any Vet has ever claimed to be a medical doctor. Even there was a thread of a Vet who graduated last year that hit FP, the guy boldly distinguished himself as a VET who just graduated from VET SCHOOL. So my chief, I still respect you though but you need to be fair on Vets. Dentistry unlike Veterinary medicine is easy for you to claim to be a medical doctor, why? There share similar titles, share similar college, share similar residency and postgraduate program and even share similar workplace. Hence if a charlatan dentist claims to be an MBBS holder, it would be quite difficult to find out. For instance Dr Ponzihater, FWACS working in LUTH, could actually be a dentist but you would never know, although I know many dentist who are proud of their profession and I love and respect them.

Thanks I'll check out your post. Vetinary Doctors ideally should not be on my post because I have interacted with a dozen Vets over the years, and non ever gave the impression of being a MBBS holder, even though I know they did study Medicine, go through rigorous training, and have earned all right to be called Doctors. I only added them for emphasis, but I'll probably edit that off.

Regards

sgtponzihater1:


Thanks I'll check out your post. Vetinary Doctors ideally should not be on my post because I have interacted with a dozen Vets over the years, and non ever gave the impression of being a MBBS holder, even though I know they did study Medicine, go through rigorous training, and have earned all right to be called Doctors. I only added them for emphasis, but I'll probably edit that off.

Regards

You have just gained a follower

sgtponzihater1:
A man attended Dental school and came out as a dentist, yet he rather live a lie on nairaland claiming medical school experience, rather than Dental school experience.

The biggest problem I see with the average black man is the craze for titles and position.

Medicine is not as rewarding as it used to be a Decade ago. Most Medical doctors cannot afford to rent an apartment in Ikoyi or in an affluent neighborhood, yet charlatans who studied allied health profession like Dentistry, optometrists keep pretending to be medical doctors, rather than accepting to be Dental Surgeons or optometrists as the case may be.

This post could have served its purpose to inspire aspiring dentist, but it ended up highlighting the gross inferiority of allied health professionals, and the typical pride that has eroded the Nigerian health system.

All the best champ.

Lol... Sgt, u are still here? Do you remember me? I'm the same person that exposed you the other time .
I'm an aspiring dental surgeon and I wish to further specialise in oral and maxillofacial surgery (yeah, the future is bright ). And yes, this post has inspired me to keep pushing despite the rigorous academic tussle involved in studying dentistry and dental surgery. But of course, u can't relate because you never went through MBBS nor BDS...
You studied Finance in school. What does a Finance graduate got to do with the medical line?
In your other post, u were criticising MBBS, and on this one u are criticising BDS. I think I know where the energy is coming from.
One would think that at your age, u would be busy setting up a legacy for ur self, but no, u prefer to carry wetin no concern u for head... Lol...

Maid007:

Lol... Sgt, u are still here? Do you remember me? I'm the same person that exposed you the other time .
I'm an aspiring dental surgeon and I wish to further specialise in oral and maxillofacial surgery (yeah, the future is bright ). And yes, this post has inspired me to keep pushing despite the rigorous academic tussle involved in studying dentistry and dental surgery. But of course, u can't relate because you never went through MBBS nor BDS...
In your other post, u were criticising MBBS, and on this one u are criticising BDS. I think I know where the energy is coming from.
One would think that at your age, u would be busy setting up a legacy for ur self, but no, u prefer to carry wetin no concern u for head... Lol...

All the best man. It's tough academic work going through the rigours of higher education that sometimes the lure of this new found learning blocks our mind to proper reasoning. It is to this cause that philosophy was introduced as a first year course to most science/health based students, so they can imbibe the culture of critical reasoning, objectivity, and sanity in raising arguments.

If BDS and MBBS are 2 different courses and I have highlighted this, without bias, then I see no wrong in what I have said. You can be a dentist, which I agree is a prestigious course but you'll end up being a Doctor and dental surgeon, but not a medic or medical doctors. This will definitely be highlighted again on your induction day God keeping you till then.

I wish you the best for your future, especially having gone through your similar phase (though different course) more than a decade ago.

Cheers

sgtponzihater1:


All the best man. It's tough academic work going through the rigours of higher education that sometimes the lure of this new found learning blocks our mind to proper reasoning. It is to this cause that philosophy was introduced as a first year course to most science/health based students, so they can imbibe the culture of critical reasoning, objectivity, and sanity in raising arguments.

If BDS and MBBS are 2 different courses and I have highlighted this, without bias, then I see no wrong in what I have said. You can be a dentist, which I agree is a prestigious course but you'll end up being a Doctor and dental surgeon, but not a medic or medical doctors. This will definitely be highlighted again on your induction day God keeping you till then.

I wish you the best for your future, especially having gone through your similar phase (though different course) more than a decade ago.

Cheers

Yeah, I'm aware you studied Finance as an undergaduate, 10 years ago. Good for you.

sgtponzihater1:
A man attended Dental school and came out as a dentist, yet he rather live a lie on nairaland claiming medical school experience, rather than Dental school experience.

The biggest problem I see with the average black man is the craze for titles and position.

Medicine is not as rewarding as it used to be a Decade ago. Most Medical doctors cannot afford to rent an apartment in Ikoyi or in an affluent neighborhood, yet charlatans who studied allied health profession like Dentistry, optometrists keep pretending to be medical doctors, rather than accepting to be Dental Surgeons or optometrists as the case may be.

This post could have served its purpose to inspire aspiring dentist, but it ended up highlighting the gross inferiority of allied health professionals, and the typical pride that has eroded the Nigerian health system.

All the best champ.

I’m 400L dental student currently doing my medicine and surgery shirt posting which I will complete in 500L after writing my Pharm and path exam

Omo a DENTIST is a Medical doctor and more...! They complete medicine and surgery, inshort what makes you a doctor is what you are able to cover what you are a able to read and the sacrifice you make towards covering different systems of the human body the more systems you cover the more you know, so if I’m able to join many ward rounds and know more about many cases and read about them I would be a good doctor...! Medical doctor is not just a term, it’s base on experience you have gotten okkay...?

Further more Dentist complete medicine and surgery in 500L And only study dentistry for 1 year which is final year, why will a dental surgeon treat you when their are many Mbbs doctors on call..? He would be probably be busy doing oral surgeries,That doesn’t mean he can’t treat you during an emergency okkay..?I just pray God gives me the strength to cover most systems and be able to diagnose and treat patients around me that present with different cases from different systems, that’s the Magic and Joy in It and not just a mere term I’m a Doctor and you cannot different between a patient who have COPD from a patient who have ASTHMA

in summary a BDS graduate is a medical doctor, a MBBS graduate is also a medical doctor, is just that the MBBS graduate will be busy going over and over again on those systems why a BDS doctor will be busy doing oral surgeries and surgeries in head and neck(a dentist is already a specialist)...

It’s just like saying a Dermatologist is not a doctor Because at some point doctors specialize and are free to forget other systems and focus on a system, dermatology can be regarded as systems same way head and neck or mouth can be regarded as a system that doesn’t mean these specialized doctors don’t know the general medicine and surgery

Froshchuksswart:



I’m 400L dental student currently doing my medicine and surgery shirt posting which I will complete in 500L after writing my Pharm and path exam

Omo a DENTIST is a Medical doctor and more...! They complete medicine and surgery, inshort what makes you a doctor is what you are able to cover what you are a able to read and the sacrifice you make towards covering different systems of the human body the more systems you cover the more you know, so if I’m able to join many ward rounds and know more about many cases and read about them I would be a good doctor...! Medical doctor is not just a term, it’s base on experience you have gotten okkay...?

Further more Dentist complete medicine and surgery in 500L And only study dentistry for 1 year which is final year, why will a dental surgeon treat you when their are many Mbbs doctors on call..? He would be probably be busy doing oral surgeries,That doesn’t mean he can’t treat you during an emergency okkay..?I just pray God gives me the strength to cover most systems and be able to diagnose and treat patients around me that present with different cases from different systems, that’s the Magic and Joy in It and not just a mere term I’m a Doctor and you cannot different between a patient who have COPD from a patient who have ASTHMA

in summary a BDS graduate is a medical doctor, a MBBS graduate is also a medical doctor, is just that the MBBS graduate will be busy going over and over again on those systems why a BDS doctor will be busy doing oral surgeries and surgeries in head and neck(a dentist is already a specialist)...

It’s just like saying a Dermatologist is not a doctor Because at some point doctors specialize and are free to forget other systems and focus on a system, dermatology can be regarded as systems same way head and neck or mouth can be regarded as a system that doesn’t mean these specialized doctors don’t know the general medicine and surgery

I've been there and done that quite a while back, it's a whole gush of knowledge at a go and I can see why it leaves some undergraduates with a gush of "god complex".

Nigeria is unregulated. In a sane clime, a Dentist claiming to be a medical Doctor and that he can then treat cases based on student rotations can land you a suspension. Probity and uprightness is the first virtue that health care professionals should uphold, we should be able to tell patients and their relatives who we are, our precise roles, and the scope of the care that we can render, without seeming to confuse them or display ambiguity. If you then hold on to the fact that you are a Medical Doctor,even when your certificate and license says otherwise, you could lose your license, as you will be deemed to lack insight to your fault. This happens in all other western countries where Nigerians are trooping to ATM.

For the historical record. A dermatologist has to have studied Medicine and surgery to proceed to training in dermatology. A Dentist cannot do dermatology, no matter how many medical rotations he had, but would have to remain within the specialties that Dentistry offers e.g OMS, community dentistry, etc, this is because your course does not give you the carrying power to study the medical specialties, only MBBS does. Same way MBBS does not give Doctors the carrying power to study Dental specialties.

In the end there nothing intrinsically special about MBBS, BDS etc, it's all human science and we'll all drop these titles when our day is done. What makes it special is immersing ourselves thoroughly in what we do, and giving the most we can to society through the work of our hands.

All the best for your future, and I hope you find clarity in the path that you've chosen.

ChiefSgtPonziHater