How Do I Know If A Holistic Dentist Is Legit?

I’m wanting to go to a holistic dentist, but I’m not sure how to tell the actual dentists from the phonies. You know, kind of like the difference between a naturopathic doctor and a real one. Does the DDS or DMD tell the difference?

Brooklyn L. – Conway, AR

Brooklyn,

If a dentist has a DMD or a DDS with their name, then they’re a legitimate dentist. There’s no difference in the degree. One is a Doctor of Dental Medicine, the other a Doctor of Dental Surgery. It’s just a difference in how the school they attended titles it.  A holistic dentist is one who simply cares about the whole body, not just the teeth. They’ll work hard to make sure they use materials that don’t contain things like the mercury you find in amalgam fillings.

However, there isn’t a recognized specialty for holistic dentistry. It’s just a philosophy of treatment.

If you’re concerned, then you could ask the dentist about their dental education. Where they went to school. What kind of post-graduate training they’ve done. Things like that.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.