Editing Doctor (title) (section)

====United Kingdom====

Doctor is commonly used in the [[United Kingdom]] as the title for a person who has received a doctoral degree or, as [[Courtesy titles in the United Kingdom|courtesy title]], for a qualified medical practitioner or dentist who does not have a doctorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095724299|title=Doctor|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|work=Oxford Reference|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> There are no restrictions on the use of the title "Doctor" in the [[United Kingdom]], except where, in commercial advertising, it might imply that the user holds a general medical qualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Use-of-the-term-Dr.aspx#.V99DB2UXZSA|title=Use of the term "Dr"|publisher=The Committees of Advertising Practice|access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> The UK government allows medical doctors and holders of doctorates to have the title recorded on the observations page of their UK passport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/observations-in-passports|title=Observations in passports|date=7 February 2012|publisher=HM Passport Office}}</ref> The lack of legal restrictions was confirmed in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] in 1996 by health minister [[Gerald Malone]], who noted that the title doctor had never been restricted by law to either medical practitioners or those with doctoral degrees in the UK, although the titles "physician, doctor of medicine, licentiate in medicine and surgery, bachelor of medicine, surgeon, general practitioner and apothecary" were protected.<ref>Hansard, 19 January 1996. [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo950119/debtext/60119-24.htm Columns: 1064–1069]. retrieved 7 March 2015</ref>

According to the etiquette guide, [[Debrett's]], holders of doctoral degrees and medical doctors (but not surgeons) should be addressed as "Doctor".<ref name="Debrett's Academic">{{cite web| url=https://www.debretts.com/expertise/forms-of-address/professions/|title=Academics|work=Debrett's |access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="Debrett's Doctor">{{cite web| url=https://www.debretts.com/expertise/forms-of-address/professions/medicine-2/|title=Medicine|publisher=Debrett's|access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref> For medical doctors, "Doctor" is a professional title rather than an academic one: it is due to their being a medical practitioner rather than their having gained a doctoral degree.<ref name="Debrett's Medicine">{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/expertise/forms-of-address/professions/medicines/|title=Medicine|publisher=Debrett's|access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> The [[Quality Assurance Agency]] states that "The use of the title 'Dr' by medical doctors is a historical abbreviation for the profession; it does not indicate a qualification at doctoral level".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|page=29|publisher=Quality Assurance Agency|access-date=1 October 2016|date=October 2014|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On guest lists and seating plans for formal events, holders of academic doctorates (but not medical doctors or other people using the title as a courtesy title) are listed either as "Dr John Smith" or "John Smith, Esq, PhD", while untitled men (other than those holding doctorates) are shown as either "Mr John Smith" or "John Smith, Esq" (as appropriate to ensure the styling remains consistent).<ref group=note>No example is given for untitled women, either holding doctorates or otherwise</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.debretts.com/expertise/etiquette/formal-events/seating-plans-and-precedence/|title=Seating plans and precedence|work=Debrett's |at=Untitled Men|access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref> The title "Dr" is also used on [[visiting card]]s.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4oCDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT418|title=Debrett's Handbook|pages=418–420|author=Elizabeth Wyse|publisher=Debrett's|date=19 April 2016|isbn=9780992934866}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Medical students in the UK normally complete a course of study leading to the degree of [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery]] (MBBS, BMBS or MBChB).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bma.org.uk/-/media/files/pdfs/developing%20your%20career/becoming%20a%20doctor/badentry2014%20-%20interactiveversionfinal.pdf |title=Becoming a doctor: Entry in 2014 |publisher=[[British Medical Association]] (BMA) |access-date=21 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130110/http://bma.org.uk/-/media/files/pdfs/developing%20your%20career/becoming%20a%20doctor/badentry2014%20-%20interactiveversionfinal.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The MD degree is not a qualifying degree in the UK, but can be either a [[professional doctorate]]  (at the same academic level as a PhD), a doctorate by thesis, or a [[higher doctorate]], depending on the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication?PubID=2975#.V98_VWUXZSA|title=Doctoral Degree Characteristics Statement|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|date=September 2015|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119235547/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication?PubID=2975#.V98_VWUXZSA|archive-date=19 January 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> To be eligible for an MD degree in the UK one must already hold an entry-level medical degree (for example, MBBS, MBChB, BMed, or a North American MD degree) and usually must have had at least 5 years of postgraduate training and experience. Trainee doctors are permitted to use the title Doctor once they have started their post-graduation "[[Medical education in the United Kingdom#Continuing medical education|Foundation Programme]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bma.org.uk/-/media/files/word%20files/news%20views%20analysis/pressbriefing_medical%20training%20uk.doc|title=Medical Training in the UK|date=28 September 2012|publisher=[[British Medical Association]]|access-date=20 September 2016|quote=Individuals in F1 posts receive a salary and are allowed to use the courtesy title 'Dr'.}}</ref>

Debrett's states that medical doctors (except surgeons) should be addressed on envelopes as "Dr (full name), (medical qualifications)", e.g. "Dr John Smith, MD", "Dr Anne Jones, MB BS, FRCP", "Dr David Evans, MB ChB", contrary to the normal rule of not mixing titles and post-nominals. Surgeons (and dentists, if not holding a doctoral degree) should be "(full name), Esq, (medical/dental qualifications)",{{NoteTag|Debrett's gives no examples of the form for addressing a woman who is a surgeon or dentist; usual British practice is only to use "Esq" for men<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/esquire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226145400/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/esquire|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 December 2016|title=Esquire|work=Oxford Living Dictionaries|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref>}} e.g. "John Smith, Esq, MS, FRCS", "David Evans, Esq., BDS", but "Dr Anne Jones, DDS, FDS RCS",. By contrast, those holding (non medical or dental) doctoral degrees, if not surgeons, should be "Dr (full name)" without post-nominals on envelopes, e.g. "Dr John Smith".<ref name="Debrett's Medicine"/><ref name="Debrett's Academics">{{cite web|url=https://www.debretts.com/expertise/forms-of-address/professions/|title=Academics|work=Debrett's |access-date=1 December 2016|publisher=[[Debrett's]]}}</ref>

[[A & C Black]]'s ''Titles and Forms of Address'' diverges from Debrett's on how to address envelopes to medical doctors, omitting the pre-nominal title of Dr (e.g. John Smith, Esq, MD; John Smith, MD; John Smith, MB)  except in Scotland and for [[general practitioner]]s, where the post-nominals are instead usually omitted (e.g. Dr John Smith). Black's also state that it is down to individual choice whether non-medical doctors are addressed on envelopes as "Dr John Smith" or "John Smith, Esq, PhD" (or appropriate letters for the doctorate held), with the exception of doctors of divinity, who would be "The Rev. J. Smith, DD" on the envelope and "Reverend Sir" in a formal salutation (informally in the salutation "Dear Dr Smith", and "Dr Smith" in speech).<ref group=note>Black's notes that non-clergy may be awarded DDs but gives no examples</ref><ref group=note>Black's give no examples of addressing women with doctoral degrees or medical qualifications</ref><ref name="Black's">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10jOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA145|title=Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Correct Use|edition=23rd|publisher=[[A & C Black]], an imprint of [[Bloomsbury Publishing]]|pages=145–147|date=21 April 2016|isbn=9781472924346}}</ref>

The custom of not referring to surgeons (members and fellows of the [[Royal College of Surgeons]]) as Dr has been commented on in the ''[[British Medical Journal]]'' and may stem from the historical origins of the profession such as that some barbers also used to function as surgeons.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Dobson | first1 = Roger | year = 2005 | title = English surgeons may at last be about to become doctors| journal = British Medical Journal | volume = 330 | issue = 7500| page = 1103| pmid = 15891216 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.330.7500.1103 | pmc = 557881 }}</ref> In 2005, the then-president of the [[Royal College of Surgeons]] called upon surgeons to use the title of Dr, saying that the use of Mr or Miss was confusing to patients.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1489293/Surgeons-should-be-called-Dr-says-president.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1489293/Surgeons-should-be-called-Dr-says-president.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Surgeons should be called Dr, says president|date=4 May 2005|author=Celia Hall}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Black's note that [[gynaecologist]]s are addressed as surgeons in England and Wales but as doctors elsewhere.<ref name="Black's" />

In a similar manner to the medical MBBS, dentists qualify with a [[Bachelor of Dental Surgery]] (BDS) and vets with a [[Bachelor of Veterinary Science]] (BVSc), [[Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine]] (BVetMed) or [[Bachelor of Veterinary Science|Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery]] (BVMS). All of these are, like the MBBS, master's level qualifications that bear bachelor's designations for historical reasons.<ref name=FHEQ>{{cite web|pages=17–18, 29|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|date=November 2014|access-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083730/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Dentists have traditionally (as dental surgeons) been referred to in the same way as surgeons, but since 1995 the [[General Dental Council]] have permitted dentists to use the title "Doctor",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/dentist-can-take-title-of-doctor-1583239.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=22 November 1995|author=Liz Hunt|title=Dentist can take title of doctor}}</ref> though many do not choose to do this, thereby stressing their surgeon status. However, Debrett's continues to advises that dentists are normally addressed as surgeons and that the title "Doctor" is usually only used for dentists who have a doctoral degree.<ref name="Debrett's Medicine"/>

On 5 March 2015 the council of the [[Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons]] (RCVS) voted to permit its members to use the courtesy title of "Doctor". Guidance from the RCVS says the title should be used either with the description "veterinary surgeon"   or the postnominals "MRCVS" to ensure there is no confusion with doctors of human medicine or holders of doctoral degrees.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-veterinary-surgeons-to-use-courtesy-doctor-title/ |title=UK veterinary surgeons to use courtesy 'Doctor' title |publisher=[[Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons]] |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref>

[[Optometrist]]s are not permitted to use the title "Doctor" based on their initial qualification (BOptom or BSc (Optom)).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/58119/response/146821/attach/html/3/I%20Chong%20response%20letter.pdf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054231/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/58119/response/146821/attach/html/3/I%20Chong%20response%20letter.pdf.html |archive-date=2017-04-11 |url-status=live|website=Whatdotheyknow.com|title=REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Reference No F-2011-01 |author=Lisa Sparkes |date=1 February 2011|access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref>  Optometrists can earn PhDs or [[Doctor of Optometry]] degrees (in the UK a PhD-level qualification for qualified optometrists with experience in practice<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.school-it.co.uk/doptometry/article.htm|publisher=[[Institute of Optometry]]|title=Doctor of Optometry|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410221905/http://www.school-it.co.uk/doptometry/article.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>). [[Ophthalmologist]]s are fully qualified medical doctors. However, ophthalmology is considered a branch of surgery, thus ophthalmologists, like other surgeons in the UK, do not use the title "Doctor".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/patients/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/|publisher=[[Royal College of Ophthalmologists]]|access-date=10 April 2017|title=Frequently Asked Questions}}</ref>

The [[General Chiropractic Council]] permits registered chiropractors to use the title "Doctor", although it advises chiropractors to avoid using the title in advertising or, if they do, to spell out that they are "Doctors of Chiropractic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gcc-uk.org/registration/information-for-chiropractors-who-are-on-the-register/guidance-for-registrants-using-their-registered-name-and-the-gcc-registration-number.aspx#Can%20chiropractors%20use%20the%20title%20%27Dr%27%20when%20advertising?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403155228/http://www.gcc-uk.org/registration/information-for-chiropractors-who-are-on-the-register/guidance-for-registrants-using-their-registered-name-and-the-gcc-registration-number.aspx#Can%20chiropractors%20use%20the%20title%20%27Dr%27%20when%20advertising|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 April 2014|title=Using your registered name and GCC registration number|publisher=General Chiropractic Council|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> The [[Committee of Advertising Practice]] advises, however, that "references to 'DC' or 'doctor of chiropractic' are unlikely to dispel that misleading impression [of being a medical practitioner], when used in conjunction with unqualified references to the prefix 'Dr{{' "}}, saying that the use of the title by chiropractors may be acceptable in advertising if "clearly and prominently qualified with additional text which makes clear it is a courtesy title and that the practitioner does not hold a general medical qualification".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/use-of-the-term-dr-chiropractors.html|title=Use of the term "Dr": Chiropractors|date=23 May 2016|access-date=14 April 2017|publisher=Advertising Standards Authority}}</ref>

The [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] has ruled that practitioners of traditional [[Chinese medicine]] should not use the title doctor in adverts unless they hold a general medical qualification and are registered with the [[General Medical Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Use-of-the-term-Dr-Chinese-Medicine-Practitioners.aspx#.WCu1gugXZSB|title=Use of the term "Dr": Chinese Medicine Practitioners|publisher=The Committees of Advertising Practice|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> It similarly advises that [[osteopath]]s should not use the title unless holding a general medical qualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/health-osteopathy.html|title=Health: Osteopathy|date=2 December 2016|at=Can I call myself a "Doctor"?|access-date=14 April 2017|publisher=Advertising Standards Authority}}</ref> There have also been rulings that an advert for an [[Osteomyology|osteomyologist]] which referred to him as a doctor was misleading, as was an advert which used the title "Dr" and the post-nominals "PhD" on the basis of a PhD from an [[Unaccredited institutions of higher education|unaccredited university]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/health-osteomyology.html|title=Health: Osteomyology|date=3 August 2015|access-date=14 April 2017|publisher=Advertising Standards Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/caring-4-u-uk-ltd-a13-232156.html|title=ASA Adjudication on Caring 4 U (UK) Ltd|date=23 October 2013|quote=We therefore concluded that without a qualification to state that the degree was from an unaccredited US university, the use of the "Dr" and "PhD" title in the ad was misleading.|access-date=14 April 2017|publisher=Advertising Standards Authority}}</ref>

Holders of honorary doctorates in the UK have the right, in most cases, to use the title of Doctor, although holders are encouraged to refrain from doing so.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34659751|title=Doctor who? The celebrities who became instant academics|author=Lauren Potts|publisher=BBC|website=BBC News|date=22 November 2015}}</ref> Black's says that "The same rules apply as to other holders", although notes that the post-nominals would not normally be used.<ref name="Black's" />

In some circumstances, "doctor" may be used on its own as a form of address rather than as a title before a name. This is limited to when the person is being addressed by their job title and so is only used for medical doctors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/people-and-places/names-and-titles-addressing-people|title=Names and titles: addressing people|work=English Grammar Today|publisher=Cambridge University Press|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref>

=====Wales=====

Wales follows UK usage in English. In [[Welsh language|Welsh]], the holder of a doctoral degree is ''doethur'' while a medical doctor is ''doctor'' or ''meddyg''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geiriadur.net/index.php?page=ateb&uni=y&prefLang=&term=doctor+%28academic%29&direction=ew&whichpart=exact&type=noun|title=doctor (academic)|work=Geiriadur: Welsh-English / English-Welsh On-line Dictionary|publisher=[[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]]|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geiriadur.net/index.php?page=ateb&uni=y&prefLang=&term=doctor+of+medicine&direction=ew&whichpart=exact&type=noun|title=doctor of medicine|work=Geiriadur: Welsh-English / English-Welsh On-line Dictionary|publisher=[[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]]|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> The title "''y Doethur''" is used by those holding doctorates, e.g. "y Doethur Brinley Jones",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=100464&headline=Lampeter&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2015|language=cy|title=Lampeter|work=[[Cambrian News]]|date=17 November 2015|access-date=4 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220071025/http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=100464&headline=Lampeter&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> "y Doethur John Elfed Jones",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/deddwyrain/papurau_bro/yr_hogwr/newyddion/hydref07.shtml|title=Pererinion Pen-y-bont|publisher=[[BBC]]|language=cy|date=7 November 2014|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> which can be abbreviated "Dr".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/cy/newyddion-a-digwyddiadau/datganiadau-ir-wasg/wasg-2016/dathlu-cyfleoedd-addysgol-newydd-yn-aberteifi.html|title=Dathlu cyfleoedd addysgol newydd yn Aberteifi|publisher=[[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]]|date=21 March 2016|access-date=4 December 2016|language=cy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220045908/http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/cy/newyddion-a-digwyddiadau/datganiadau-ir-wasg/wasg-2016/dathlu-cyfleoedd-addysgol-newydd-yn-aberteifi.html|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Medical doctors use, as in English, the title "Doctor", also abbreviated "Dr".