--- title: 5 Hints to Better Understand DDS FAGD and Dental Lingo description: Are you looking for a dentist in your neighborhood who you can trust and rely on? Then you need a dentist who has DDS FAGD accreditation image: http://www.manndental.com/Portals/92992/images/5813152_s.jpg --- [Mann Dental Care](https://www.manndental.com/) - [Home](https://www.manndental.com/) - [About Us](https://www.manndental.com/about-us) - [Our Doctor](https://www.manndental.com/dr-mark-mann) - [Our Hygienists](https://www.manndental.com/sugar-land-dental-hygienists) - [Our Assistants](https://www.manndental.com/sugar-land-dental-assistants) - [Dental Services](https://www.manndental.com/dental-services) - [Blog](https://www.manndental.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.manndental.com/contact-us) - [Testimonials](https://www.manndental.com/dental-patient-testimonials) [![Mann-horizontal-no_tag.png](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Mann-horizontal-no_tag-gold-final_on_clear.png?width=1124&height=265&name=Mann-horizontal-no_tag-gold-final_on_clear.png "Mann-horizontal-no_tag.png")](http://manndental.com) - [![online_form](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/online_form.jpg?width=39&height=43&name=online_form.jpg)](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-627694413-pdf/docs/New_Patient_Online_Forms.pdf) - [New Patient Online Forms](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-627694413-pdf/docs/New_Patient_Online_Forms.pdf) - [![appointment](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/appointment.jpg?width=46&height=46&name=appointment.jpg "Mann-Dental-Icons-Calendar")](https://limelight.solutionreach.com/scheduling/subscriber/2156/scheduler) - [Request an Appointment](https://limelight.solutionreach.com/scheduling/subscriber/2156/scheduler) - [![app_icon](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/app_icon.jpg?width=39&height=47&name=app_icon.jpg "Mann-Dental-Icons-App")](https://my.erelevancecorp.com/mobile/signup/5e210023) - [Get Dr. Mann's Mobile App](https://my.erelevancecorp.com/mobile/signup/5e210023) - ![call_icon](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/call_icon.jpg?width=47&height=47&name=call_icon.jpg "Mann-Dental-Icons-Phone") - [Call Us Today!](tel:%20+12813699161) [(281) 494-9400](tel:%20+12814949400) ![Dr. Mann's Blog Photo-127970037web_1_crop3-resized-600](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-19369837-jpg/images/127970037web_1_crop3-resized-600.jpg?width=225&name=127970037web_1_crop3-resized-600.jpg) # Welcome to our Dental Blog! ### Enter your email address to subscribe to our great content! ## Dr. Mann's Mobile App! I am excited to provide a Smartphone app for your iPhone or Android. It is private and secure with no hidden marketing tricks. You can schedule appointments, communicate directly with me and get the answers to your exact dental questions. All at your fingertip! [![Get Mobile App!](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/92992/59a935d1-6394-49ac-a21b-a2c6526b1e60.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/92992/59a935d1-6394-49ac-a21b-a2c6526b1e60) ## [Our Online Reviews](http://mann-dental-care.nationaldentalreviews.org/#) Thanks for your referrals! ## [Visit our Website](https://www.manndental.com/) [Learn more about our services!](https://www.manndental.com/dental-services) ## [Write a Review](https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=oz&hl=en&continue=https%3A%2F%2Fplus.google.com%2F106852421061601679039%2Fabout%3Freview%3D1%26source%3Dlo-ta%26hl%3Den%26gl%3Dus&review=1) Thanks! We appreciate your comments! # 5 Hints to Better Understand DDS FAGD and Dental Lingo Posted by [Dr. Mark Mann](https://www.manndental.com/blog/author/dr-mark-mann) Jun 25, 2013 9:58:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![dds fagd](http://www.manndental.com/Portals/92992/images/5813152_s.jpg "dds fagd")Most of us get confused when we hear jargons related to the dentistry industry and actually get scared, wondering whether the abbreviations and terms are some type of disease. It is common to come across acronyms like **DDS FAGD** while we look for dentists. So what are these acronyms? DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery; and FAGD stands for Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry.  If these full forms of the abbreviations still sound alien to you, here are 5 hints that can help you understand the dental terms better. ### 1. More about DDS FAGD When a dentist acquires DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), he or she is certified to set up their own practice. A DDS certification also can progress with their career when the dentist acquires acquiring the next level of license. In order to do this, the dentist takes further level of examinations and qualifies from an American school of dentistry. The DDS is a professional degree that is earned after 4 years of rigorous studies from a certified American dental college. A doctor of dental surgery spends two years in classroom study and two years in clinical practice, gaining hands-on experience. This exposure to various dental conditions equips them with job knowledge and ability to handle various dental procedures in real-time practice. Dentistry is an advanced and complicated part of science and thefour4 years of studies is critical for a dentist to progress in their career. It is a combination of tangible and text book knowledge and experience. ### 2. How does one become a DDS? In order to become **DDS **certified dentist in the United States, a dentist has to pass out from The NBDE ([National Board of Dental Examination](http://www.ada.org/en/jcnde/examinations)). The exams are elaborate and cover several areas of dentistry. The exam can be taken at one shot or in two parts. - The Part I exam covers subjects like dental anatomy, pathology, physiology and biochemistry - The Part II covers more detailed subjects like, periodontics, radiology, perodontics and oral pathology. After passing the exam, a person becomes a qualified dentist and they can have their own practice under the tag of DDS. ### 3. Deciphering FAGD The [Academy of General Dentistry](http://www.agd.org/education-events/examawardsrecognition/fellowship-exam.aspx) is an organization that was established to serve the interests of the public and promote dentistry among people. In order to join this organization, one has to be a certified dentist and also should be practicing. Fellowship of the academy is attained after they meet the requirements and show consistency in their involvement. ### 4. Essentials of FAGD There are four preliminary requirements that have to be met in order to attain this Fellowship. - A dentist must be a member in the academy for three consecutive years. After that, they can apply for a Fellowship, which will make them a permanent member. Also, they should never have been suspended or had their license revoked. - The dentist should have at least 500 hours of dental education credits which have been approved and certified by the academy. - The dentist will need to pass the Fellowship examination. - The dentist will have to attend the convocation ceremony, which is the final step in awarding the fellowship. ### 5. Understanding FAGD DDS in general terms For a normal person, **DDS FAGD **only means that the dentist has acquired the highest level of accreditation to be able to practice. However, this also is an indication that the dentist is reliable and an expert in the field. Next time when you are looking for a [dentist](https://www.manndental.com/sugar-land-dentist) in your area, look for DDS FAGD accreditation, so that you are sure that you are in safe hands. Expert dental care will come to you naturally when you check for accreditation. Topics: [General Dentistry Services](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/general-dentistry-services) ### More About Our Blog: The Mann Dental Care Blog features important topics regarding dental health. Over one-hundred dental care posts have been published, providing our readers with a great resource for timely news about dental care. ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [General Dentistry Services (24)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/general-dentistry-services) - [Dental Implants (20)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/dental-implants) - [Sedation Dentistry (14)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/sedation-dentistry) - [Dental Emergency Services (12)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/dental-emergency-services) - [Cosmetic Dentistry Services (10)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/cosmetic-dentistry-services) - [Beautiful Dentures (6)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/beautiful-dentures) - [Dental Hygiene Services (5)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/dental-hygiene-services) - [sedation in dentistry (2)](https://www.manndental.com/blog/topic/sedation-in-dentistry) [see all](https://www.manndental.com/blog/5-hints-to-better-understand-dds-fagd-and-dental-lingo#) [![twitter-icon-footer](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-593257419-png/images/twitter-icon-footer.png "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/manndental) [![linkedin-icon-footer](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-597510298-png/images/linkedin-icon-footer.png "LinkedIn")](http://www.linkedin.com/company/mann-dental-care) [![facebook-icon-footer](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-600018141-png/images/facebook-icon-footer.png "Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/MannDentalCare) [![gplus-icon-footer](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-601342822-png/images/gplus-icon-footer.png "Google+")](https://plus.google.com/100039891588455660370/about) [![YouTube Logo](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/file-1009241488-png/images/youtube-icon-footer.png "YouTube")](https://www.youtube.com/manndentalcare) Se Habla Español ![Mann Dental Care Telephone Icon](https://www.manndental.com/hubfs/images/footer_call.jpg)[(281) 494-9400](tel:%202814949400) ©2018 Mann Dental Care, Imperial Medical Center, 1111 Highway 6, Ste. #220, Sugar Land, TX 77478 [![Mann Dental Logo](https://www.manndental.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Mann-horizontal-no_tag-gold-final_on_dk_green.png?width=1200&name=Mann-horizontal-no_tag-gold-final_on_dk_green.png "Mann Dental Logo")](https://www.manndental.com)