Dental faculty, alumni and students at Case Western Reserve University who want their school's name to reflect its focus on the overall health of patients have overwhelmingly supported changing that name from the Case School of Dentistry to the Case School of Dental Medicine,

The change, earlier supported by the university's Faculty Senate, became official with recent approval by the Case Board of Trustees.

In addition, the Ohio Board of Regents has given the dental school verbal approval to change the school's degree from Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) to Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), according to Jerold Goldberg, dean of the Case School of Dental Medicine.

"Dentistry has evolved over the years. Right now it is more about prevention and using the newest knowledge, technology and materials to design treatments relevant to health problems that affect the well being of populations as well as individuals," Goldberg said. "We are still committed to our students achieving excellence in accomplishing procedures, but that is an increasingly smaller part of what they must be able to do."

Over the next four years, current students in each class will have the option of either receiving the new D.M.D. or the D.D.S. But starting with next year's incoming class, everyone will receive a D.M.D. upon graduation. Alumni also will have the opportunity to receive certificates for the new D.M.D.

"Whether it is a D.D.S. or D.M.D., both are equivalent degrees," Goldberg said.

The name change first surfaced about five years ago among the school's alums living and working on the East Coast. About 70 percent of the country's 56 dental schools award D.D.S. degrees, according to Goldberg, but alumni in the East- where more D.M.D. degrees are awarded-felt they could be more competitive with peers if they had a D.M.D.Goldberg said a recent survey of people from all economic and professional levels conducted by members of the Case dental faculty indicates the general public perceives the D.M.D. to signify better and longer training than the D.D.S.

"The survey confirmed the alums observations," he said. "Since both degrees are equivalent, why not give our students a degree the public perceives as better."

That first attempt to change the school's name lacked the support needed to carry it through the alumni board and then on to the Faculty Senate and eventually to the university trustees.

About two years ago, the East Coast alumni again approached the school and asked the dean to raise the issue. This time, the visionary atmosphere at the dental school-with its new research focus, community service programs and innovative teaching technologies-created an environment receptive to a new name that reflects the way dentists are rethinking their profession.

As dentistry re-evaluates its changing role, Goldberg said that he hopes that legislators, policymakers and others also recognize the evolving and important role the profession has in contributing to a healthy society.

Return to the online edition of the 12-11-03 Campus News.