For immediate release: December 8, 2003
For more information, contact Susan Griffith at 216-368-1004 or susan.griffith@case.edu

CLEVELAND—With a focus on keeping people healthy, the dental faculty, alumni and students at Case Western Reserve University wanted their school's name to reflect it. They overwhelmingly supported changing their name to the Case School of Dental Medicine, which became official with recent approval by the Case Board of Trustees.

photo by Susan Griffith New banners announce the Case dental school's new name.

"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. 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.," said Jerold Goldberg, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

As dentistry rethinks its changing role, Goldberg stated that he hopes that legislators, policy makers and others recognize the evolving and important role dentistry profession has in contributing to a healthy society.

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 Dr. Jerold Goldberg, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

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," stressed Goldberg.

The name change first surfaced about five year ago among the school's alums, living and working on the eastern coast. About 70 percent of the country's 56 dental schools award D.D.S. degrees, said Goldberg, but alumni in the east- where more D.M.D. degrees are awarded-felt they could be more competitive with peers by having a D.M.D.

After members of the dental faculty conducted a survey of people from all economic and professional levels about their perceptions of the value of the D.D.S. or D.M.D., Goldberg said that the general public perceived that the D.M.D. signified better and longer training.

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

The first attempt to change the school's name lacked the support it 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 eastern coast alumni again approached the school and asked the dean to raise the issue. The visionary atmosphere at the dental school-with its new research focus, community service programs and innovative teaching technologies-created an atmosphere receptive to a name change, and a new name that reflects the way dentists are rethinking their profession, noted the dean.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, and service. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Sciences. http://www.case.edu.

 

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