Entitlement to Titles

[Northumbrian]

Two local dentists are now claiming the title "Doctor". Is this now legal?

[Loosehead]

No you can call yourself anything you like.

[Big Al1st]

Depends on what qualifications they have I suppose. My son has a PHD in organic chemistry and is entitled to use doctor before his name.

[Scotman84]

Agree Big Al - my ex boss used to want to be referred to as 'Doctor' because he had a PhD - it's the degree that confers the title, not the job !

[Dom Tuk]

A dentist is not usually entitled to use the title Dr. unless as other posts mention the dentist has undertaken post graduation qualification/research leading to a PhD. This is the norm in the UK. However in some Asian countries (predominantly in India) dentists use the title Dr. This is again erroneous and the indian dentist is well aware that he is not allowed to use the title. Even physio therapists and occupational therapists in India will blatantly use the title Dr even though they do not hold a doctorate. So are your dentists from the sub continent. A gentle query (not when in the chair) will hopefully shame them into line.

In the Uk a GP will use the title Dr. however a consultant will revert to Mr. in the title. Anyone can shed some light on that?

[ianess]

To Dom Tuk....
It used to be the case that consultants were generally surgeons. In ye olden days a surgeon was more of a butcher/meat handler than a qualified medical practitioner and was never classed as a "proper" doctor of medicine, hence always being referred to as "Mister".
The tradition continues but nowadays it's based on seniority and status.
Hope that makes sense.

[$~Jeep~$]

I've noticed that in any films or tv programmes (American)
when somebody visits the dentist, they always refer to him/her as "Doctor".

[kempie]

This thread may shed a bit more light...

[AllanJW]

I have a Ph.D. and can therefore use the title "Doctor." Medical doctors in the U.K. do not have doctorates as a rule, but still use the title. As far as I'm aware, surgeons revert back to Mr. purely for reasons of old fashioned snobbish superiority. As far as dentists are concerned, I suppose they can use the title Doctor if they wish, however, it would be purely for reasons of wishing to appear more qualified than other dentists.

[Peter Pedant]

yes it probably is or yes it probably maybe

Does the GMC care about people calling themselves doctors when they're not ? The did and they dont. I dont know when they stopped - in thelast few years or so

The big thing is/was holding yourself out to be a registered medical practitioner when you're not, and erm....the GMC dont care about that either.

The dentists could be doctors - for that you need to scrutinise their degrees, and if they have MRCS,LRCP or MB BS or MD, or LMSSA then they could be doubly qualified - not that rare, in dentistry and medicine and be entitled to Dr.

Twenty year ago one of my dentists had a PH D in oral path and so he was also as.....dr

Hope this helps

Oh by the way Doc Holliday was a dentist - and American...

[Peter Pedant]

The body that governs/shouldgovern this is theGMC

The correspondinng body in NZ is medical councilof NZ and they have a clear statement which used to be the position inEngland at
http://www.mcnz.org.nz/portals/0/news/mcnews%2 0july%202006.pdf
page 5 - title of doctor