Let us compare & find more about DMD vs DDS. DDS as it stands for is Doctor of Dental Surgery. Similarly DMD is a short form for Doctor of Dental Medicine. There is not much difference between these two degrees. The curriculum which these both degrees have is same. Practically there is no difference.
It depends on the educational institutes in US to select name of the degree. Some schools select DMD & some select DDS. It is the selection of the degree they decide to award to their students on graduation of this curriculum. Accreditation of school is mandatory so that it can choose between National Board, State Board or any other regional licensing Board. Students on completing graduation have this choice.
While doing practice, DMD or DDS do not have any restriction on which line of dental treatment or procedure they should follow. Provided they have restricted themselves to any particular specialties like endodontic or orthodontics or oral surgery.
Initially, US schools in dentistry were not associated with any particular institute or university. Originally all schools used to award a degree of DDS. Harvard, when decided to start a school of dentistry, started awarding DMD as a degree. Harvard awards degrees in Latin. So DMD stands for Dentariae Medicinae Doctor.
One cannot become a DMD & DDS both. However, if a student holds a degree in dentistry from a foreign country, he has to undergo a training of two years. This training is to make him aware of or to update him or her on various techniques, philosophy, US standards of care. These are necessary to complete US or national or state board exams. On completion of such training additional degree of DMD or DDS can be awarded. Such degree can be mentioned after the name of the student & their original degree.
Thus, there is no curriculum or practice wise any difference in DMD Vs DDS.