When did everyone become a doctor?

[pollyglot]

Just that really.
Years ago, you were a doctor if:
a) you had medical degree
b) you had a Ph.D. Though strangely, many women were still called "Mrs".

Suddenly, dentists began to call themselves "doctor". As did vets. Then the practice (prescribing) nurse had "Dr. Joy Full" on her door, and now I see the physio is Dr. Payne-Legge.

I seem to remember that in Italy, lawyers are "dottore/dottoressa" (might be wrong), and anyone with a degree in Japan is entitled to be addressed as "sensei".
Yes yes, I know that "doctor" simply means "someone with learning" from the Latin.
Meanwhile, surgeons remain "Mr./Ms. McCUTcheon".

Will those attaining a 3rd in Media Studies soon be eligible to join the elite?

When you say 'years ago' - what's the approximate time you think things changed?

Probably 30+ years ago. A dentist relative refused to be called "doctor" when his younger colleagues began doing so. He's 80 now.

They have got doctorates.

Dentists can use it as a courtesy?

The door sign DR is not meant for them.

No they haven't. They are B.D.S. or B.V.S or similar
Physio has a B.Sc

Who made that unilateral decision?

Will those attaining a 3rd in Media Studies soon be eligible to join the elite

Oooh ……. snobby.

Her name is Joy Full. She is a registered nurse.

Dr on doors are there for the GP’s not the other staff it’s just not been taken down.

Dentists some professional body in the 1990’s I think.

Dr's all have level 7 PhD quals not level 5 Bsc hons.
MD is a type of Dr as is DPhil.

Dentist I think are entitled but used to prefer Mr/Miss as they are surgeons.

I actually don’t agree that a physio or a nurse should use the Dr title in healthcare - they will have a research based phd but that’s not what they are using to practice in that setting so it’s misleading and confusing.

Did she have a badge? What did that say? What does it say on the practice website?

https://www.consultingroom.com/blog/are-dentists-allowed-to-call-themselves-doctors

It's a courtesy title apparently.

Ah. Well, it's been about that long since I have seen a dentist, thanks to the shambles that is dentistry in the UK, so I have no idea what they call themselves now.

Sure, but doctors in the old days had purely bachelors degrees (M.B., ChB.) and were granted the courtesy title presumably by common usage.

I feel the same about "Project Managers" 🤣

Doctors actually have a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery. They are Doctors in the sense that’s the name of their trade. The use of Dr. is actually a courtesy title as they (usually) don’t have a doctorate.

No MD’s had to be registered with the medical council I think.

Is that an example name you've invented or is she really called that? What great name if it is real!

😂

If it is her real name I’d get the post taken down as you don’t have permission to share it.

Of course it's not her real name. Just seemed to be in the lighthearted spirit of the hot summer's day.

HeddaGarbled · Today 00:47

Will those attaining a 3rd in Media Studies soon be eligible to join the elite

Oooh ……. snobby.

OK, plucked at random, and apologies to everyone with a 3rd in Media Studies. Let's say a 1st in nuclear physics or Swahili. Or even a Master's in Archaeology.

Oh that's so disappointing! I thought it was a real name

not sure about dentists but nurses and physios certainly shouldn't be calling themselves Dr's unless they have phDs. which is entirely possible.

I think the main thing is not to confuse patients and being very clear about your role and limitations.

the bigger problem is Dr Google and many influencers with their health fads, stupid/dangerous diets and hacks and large numbers of quacks everywhere. access to unverified information has also made the population prone to self diagnosis leading to health anxiety and/or getting the wrong end of the stick.

Passingthethyme · Today 01:08

pollyglot · Today 00:57

Of course it's not her real name. Just seemed to be in the lighthearted spirit of the hot summer's day.

Oh that's so disappointing! I thought it was a real name

I'd love to be looked after by a nurse of that name! I'm sure it would be a placebo.