Would You Refer to Your Hygienist as ‘Doctor’ if She Earned a Doctorate?

Would You Refer to Your Hygienist as ‘Doctor’ if She Earned a Doctorate?

A heated debate unpacks the fractured future of dental hygiene


Thread summary (AI-generated): A dental hygienist can earn a doctorate in dental hygiene or a related field. While uncommon, there are doctoral-level programs specifically designed for hygienists. One example is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Oral Biology with a dental hygiene focus offered by the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). Idaho State University also offers a PhD in Health Sciences with a dental hygiene emphasis.

These degrees are not clinical doctorates like those earned by physicians or dentists, but rather academic and research-focused doctorates. They prepare hygienists for careers in education, public health, research and leadership— not clinical dentistry.

So, what if someone asked, “Why do you call yourself ‘Doctor’ if you’re a dental hygienist?”

By definition, a doctor is someone who has earned one of the highest academic degrees conferred by a university. The title reflects the level of academic achievement—not the specific profession. A physician is a Doctor of Medicine (MD). A dentist is a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). A pharmacist holds a PharmD. A physical therapist, a DPT. A professor might hold a PhD. Likewise, a hygienist with a doctorate could be a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc). The title “Doctor” reflects academic mastery—not clinical function.

That said, its use in clinical settings can lead to confusion. Many doctoral- level hygienists note they are referred to as “doctor” in academic and professional contexts but introduce themselves to patients by their first name and role—for example, “Kim the dental hygienist.” Others explain that in dental schools it’s common practice to address anyone with a doctoral degree—PhD, EdD, or DDS—as “doctor,” and that within the profession, roles and scopes are well understood regardless of title. Still, not everyone is comfortable with the idea. Critics argue that the title “doctor” should be reserved for those who diagnose, treat and prescribe—roles typically held by physicians and dentists. One commenter noted, “If you want to be called doctor, go be a dentist.” But others push back on this narrow view, pointing out that academic doctorates reflect years of scholarship, research and leadership training that qualify someone for the title even if their scope of clinical work differs. The use of the title “doctor” by those with academic doctorates remains a debated topic. The conversation around titles, roles and public perception is far from over.


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