What is the difference between DDS and DMD

The medical field uses dozens of acronyms and abbreviations that stand for the various titles and certifications a medical professional has earned or achieved. Some are very familiar —like MD for medical doctor and RN for registered nurse, while others are not as recognizable to the general public. In the dental industry, you will most often see DDS or DMD following a dentist’s name. The only difference between a DMD vs DDS title is where the dentist attended school and earned their degree in dentistry.

The training of DMD and DDS dentist are essentially the same. DMD stands for “Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae,” meaning Doctor of Dental Medicine in Latin. Harvard University was the first to offer a DMD degree. A Doctor of Dental Surgery or DDS has to pass the same licensing examinations as a DMD and vice versa. 

Both Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari earned a DDS degree from their respective universities. Dr. Dougherty attended Creighton University for his graduate degree in dentistry, while Dr. Adhikari graduated from New York University College of Dentistry. In addition, they are both dedicated to continuing education to stay abreast of the latest treatments and provide the best care options to Artistic Dental patients. 

In 2012, Dr. Dougherty earned his Master Academy of General Dentistry or MAGD, which only 3 percent of dentist in the U.S. have achieved. Dr. Adhikari is in the process of earning her MAGD and has currently earned a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), meaning she has completed at least 500 hours of additional dental education credits. An MAGD requires 1000 hours of additional education. 

Given their extensive training, Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari are able to offer patients comprehensive list of services treatments including:

• Restorative dentistry (Oral surgery, root canal therapy, tooth filling)

• Cosmetic dentistry (veneers, teeth whitening, orthodontics, dental implants and more)

• Preventative care (Dental check-ups, x-rays, oral cancer screenings)

You may wonder after reading this, why do the two different titles exist, if they mean the same thing? The simple answer is that the titles hold significance to the universities that have used them for years. In other words, the universities don’t have a reason to change it. There has been some debate about establishing one general dentist title, but for now DDS and DMD will remain the official designations. 

A couple of other titles that you may see include Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The education and certification for a hygienist is more extensive, but both individuals will work with the dentists in the overall care of patients.

 If you would like to learn more about the services and treatments we provide at Artistic Dental you can call (602)840-5400 to book a complimentary consultation or visit our website.

The Future of Dentistry: Will technology change the way we brush our teeth?

If you’re one of the many people who forget to floss, you may have a lucky break coming your way in the near future: nanoparticles. These tiny substances – composed of compounds like calcium phosphate and silica for oral health purposes – could revolutionize the way we look at teeth cleaning.

According to a recent article in MedGadget, when researchers at University of Rochester and University of Pennsylvania developed drug-releasing nanoparticles, they noted that they’re “engineered with a positively-charged outer segment to bind to negatively-charged sites on plaque biofilms and tooth enamel, effectively anchoring the particles in place.”

In essence, the nanoparticles can attack the plaque. Imagine if you had way to keep plaque from building up and causing cavities that did not involve brushing and flossing daily?

These particles have benefits outside of their convenience in application. In a head-to-head study against a free drug that wasn’t bound to nanoparticles – “the drug-loaded nanoparticles were four times more powerful in destroying the bugs (Streptococcus mutans, in this study) than the free drug alone. They attributed this fact to the ability of the nanoparticles to adhere and deliver the drug in a controlled-release fashion, targeting [specific] sites of bacterial growth (biofilms) to deliver higher concentrations locally.”

Don’t throw away your old brush just yet though. As with all new, innovative products – there’s a catch. Research is still limited to the particles benefits, and there are a number of unanswered questions regarding the safety of ingesting these particles – or having them congregate in areas outside of the mouth. Many are worried that, due to their tiny size, the nanoparticles may end up attaching instead to other organs once swallowed. What’s to stop them from attaching to biofilm elsewhere in the body, and combatting the good bacteria?

At this stage of research and development it is believed that these tiny robot cleaners will first infiltrate the world of traditional dentistry – cavity filling, localized medicine delivery and dental implants – but eventually the scope of technology will soon broaden. Researchers hope the innovation will include “Taking high quality images of your mouth with lower levels of radiation,” and even the “delivering local anesthesia (no more long needles!) or providing painless, quick orthodontic services.”

In an effort to provide Artistic Dental patients with the latest treatments in dentistry, we are always looking at what is in development. Nanoparticle research is still in its infancy, but we will be watching and learning what we can. In the meantime, we continue to do all we can to provide our patients with a clear understanding of their treatment options and the best oral care available.

Give a Smile, Get a Smile

There’s really nothing better than being able to bring a smile to someone’s

face this holiday season – and in doing so, your smile can be a whole lot brighter!

Sharing in this spirit, Dr. John Dougherty of Artistic Dental introduces, “Give a Smile,

Get a Smile,” the dental practice’s first holiday fundraiser and toy drive.


When you purchase an “Opalescence To Go” mini kit for $25 at Artistic Dental, the

practice will donate $5 directly to the St. Vincent de Paul dental clinic. If you bring in

an unwrapped toy, the kit can be purchased at a discount price of $20 and the toys

will be donated to children of military families. There’s really no shortage of ways to

help out, give back, and receive a whiter smile in return!


The “Opalescence To Go” mini kit is a professional teeth whitening at-home system

that includes three UltraFit trays to whiten and brighten smiles for the holidays and

beyond. They know their stuff, and have been the leader in teeth whitening for over

20 years. Already have a winning smile? Have that one last gift to find for the

compulsive coffee drinker or wine lover? These kits make amazing stocking stuffers!

If you have any further questions on the kit or toy drive please call our office on

(602) 840-5400.


Wish you a happy holiday season!

The Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Many times, we go to the dentist with the idea that our oral health is focused, first and foremost, on the teeth and gums. However, we should look more at one appendage that is just as crucial when it comes to wellness – the tongue!

We use it to taste, and we use it to talk. But do you know the proper techniques to take care of your tongue?

Ashly Rothrock, a member of dental hygienist team at Artistic Dental, has all of the answers:

“Scraping the tongue removes bacteria and toxins from the surface that can cause bad breath, block taste buds, and interfere with digestion. Harmful bacteria that remain on the tongue surface cause a foul odor resulting in halitosis. Taste buds can be blocked by bacteria which interferes with the ability to taste food and drinks,” fairly straightforward – but a clean tongue can also help dentists identify other problems that may stay hidden in your mouth:

“Abnormalities on the tongue such as lesions and discoloration are easier to detect on a clean, healthy, tongue.”

So, tongue scraping it is. Now we just need to know with what, and how often –

“Tongue scraping should be done daily along with brushing, flossing, and rinsing, and there are special tongue scrapers available. Some have plastic ridges and grooves that aid in removal of bacteria. Others have bristles that are a little harder than that on the toothbrush. Since a soft toothbrush is recommended, an additional tongue scraper is helpful to avoid fraying the toothbrush bristles quicker.”

Ashly also noted that many toothbrushes come with scraping mechanisms on the back of the brush head, and that in a pinch, the bristled brush head itself will do.

So along with your regular routine of brushing and flossing don’t forget to include tongue scraping for optimum oral health. If you have any further questions or need to schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning and checkup be sure to book today. Our end of year appointments are filling up!

Tips for Managing a Toothache

It's something you might have had the misfortune of experiencing before: You're eating something hot or cold and you notice your teeth feeling more sensitive than usual. Or maybe, perhaps, there's a dull ache that just doesn’t seem to go away when you're chewing. Both of these unpleasant symptoms are the result of a toothache, which develops when the nerve in the root of a tooth is irritated.

Unfortunately, toothaches aren't exactly a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 92 percent of adults aged 20-64 have experienced tooth decay—the primary cause of toothache—in permanent teeth. This rather alarming statistic attests to the fact that a toothache could affect just about anyone. But don't let that worry you; we have a few valuable pieces of advice to help address signs of pain.

It's important to know a general rule of thumb regarding toothaches: If it lasts longer than one or two days, it's time to see a dentist. In the off chance your toothache is accompanied by trouble with breathing or swallowing, excessive bleeding from the gums, a fever, or a rash, you should see a doctor immediately.

While a visit to the dentist is often the ultimate solution to a toothache (think fillings, pulling teeth, root canals, and antibiotics), here are some self-care tips that could help you in the meantime.

1. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as Advil or Tylenol, to help alleviate the pain in your teeth and jaw.

2. Avoid eating very hot or cold foods.

3. Try putting clove oil on a cotton ball and rubbing it on the sore tooth, or bite down on the cotton ball. Cloves have special properties that help relieve the pain of toothaches and fight infection.

4. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

5. Use an over-the-counter antiseptic. Consult your healthcare provider before using the antiseptic if it contains benzocaine.

6. Apply a cold compress to your cheek (This should only be done if the pain is the result of trauma to the tooth.)

Fortunately, toothaches are largely preventable. By keeping good dental habits, maintaining a healthy diet, using fluoride and of course, making regular visits to your dentist, you don't have to be a part of that 92 percent.

And remember, we are always here to help. Don't be afraid to call us and make an appointment if you have a toothache or any other concern with your teeth.