Addressing A Wedding Invitation To Your Dentist: The Right Way

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, it's important to get it right. The way you address your guests will set the tone for the event and show respect for their professional achievements. So, how do you address a dentist on a wedding invitation? The general rule is to use either the title 'Dr.' before their name or the post-nominal abbreviation for their degree after their name, but never both at the same time. The post-nominal abbreviations for dentists are 'DDS' (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or 'DMD' (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine). If you're unsure which abbreviation to use, check which qualification your dentist holds. When addressing a married couple where one spouse is a dentist, the spouse with the distinguished title goes first, for example, Dr. Jill and Mr. James Hersch.

The dentist's name should come first

When addressing a wedding invitation to a dentist, it is important to follow the correct format and include the appropriate title. The general rule is to use either 'Dr.' before their name or the post-nominal abbreviation for their degree after, but not both. The dentist's name should come first when inviting a couple.

If the dentist is married and their spouse is also a doctor, the outer and inner envelopes can be addressed as "The Doctors [Surname]." If the spouses have different last names, list both names in alphabetical order: "Dr. [Surname 1]" followed by "Dr. [Surname 2]."

If only one spouse is a dentist, their name should come first: "Dr. [Name 1] [Surname 1] and Mr./Mrs. [Name 2] [Surname 2]" or "Dr. [Name 1] [Surname 1] and Mr./Mrs. [Name 2] [Surname 1]."

It is important to note that the use of "Dr." is generally considered less formal, while "Doctor" is more formal. Additionally, professional titles should be written in full, but can be abbreviated if the title makes the line too long.

When addressing a retired dentist, the social form is used: "Dr. [Full Name]."

Use 'Dr.' or 'Doctor' depending on formality

When addressing a dentist as a married couple on a wedding invitation, the general rule is to use "Dr." for less formality and "Doctor" for more formality. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

Less Formal ("Dr.")

If the wife is a dentist and the husband is not, and they have the same last name:

Dr. Jill and Mr. James Hersch

If the wife is a dentist, the husband is not, and they have different last names:

Dr. Jill Lucento and Mr. James Hersch

More Formal ("Doctor")

If the wife is a dentist and the husband is not, and they have the same last name:

Doctor Jill and Mr. James Hersch

If the wife is a dentist, the husband is not, and they have different last names:

Doctor Jill Lucento and Mr. James Hersch

If both spouses are dentists and have the same last name:

• The Doctors Hersch
• Doctors Jill and James Hersch
• The Doctors Jill and James Hersch

If both spouses are dentists and have different last names:

Dr. Jill Lucento and Dr. James Hersch

Additional Tips

• If the dentist is retired, use the social form: "Dr. (Full Name)"
• If the dentist is a woman, use "Dr." or "Doctor" followed by her maiden name if she has chosen to keep it, or her married name if she has chosen to change it.
• If the couple has children, and they are invited to the wedding, include their names on the inner envelope.
• Avoid using abbreviations, except for "Mr.," "Mrs.," and "Ms."
• If the dentist has a specific degree, such as DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry), be sure to use the correct one.

Include the dentist's spouse's name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a dentist and their spouse, it is important to include the dentist's spouse's name. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Using titles on wedding invitations is customary and expected in formal invitations. When addressing a dentist, the titles "Dr." or "Doctor" are appropriate. The title "Dr." is considered less formal, while "Doctor" is more formal. It is important to note that the abbreviation for their degree, such as "DDS" or "DMD," should not be used in combination with "Dr." when addressing the envelope or block on an email.

Married Couple with the Same Last Name

If the dentist is married and has the same last name as their spouse, there are a few options for addressing the invitation. One option is to use the husband's full name, such as "Dr. & Mrs. John Smith." Another option is to include both first names, with the husband's name coming first: "Dr. John & Mrs. Amy Smith." If you prefer a more casual approach, you can simply address them as "Dr. & Mrs. Smith" or use their first names: "Dr. John & Amy."

Married Couple with Different Last Names

When addressing a married couple with different last names, list the names in alphabetical order. For example, if the dentist's name is Dr. John Smith, and their spouse's name is Ms. Melanie Marx, the invitation can be addressed as "Dr. John Smith & Ms. Melanie Marx." This format applies when the spouses are not both dentists.

Both Spouses are Dentists

If both spouses are dentists and share the same last name, you can address them as "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. John and Amy Smith." If they have different last names, the invitation can be addressed as "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Amy Marx."

Salutation

When writing the salutation for the invitation, address the dentist as "Dr." followed by their surname. For example, "Dear Dr. Smith."

Addressing a retired dentist

When addressing a retired dentist on a wedding invitation, the general rule is to use the title 'Dr.' followed by their full name. This is the standard format for any medical doctor (MD) or doctor of dentistry.

For example, if the retired dentist's name is John Smith, the invitation should be addressed as:

> Dr. John Smith

This is the correct form for both the envelope and the letter salutation. It is important to note that you should only use 'Dr.' or the post-nominal abbreviation for their degree (DDS or DMD), but never both at the same time.

Additionally, when addressing a married couple where both spouses are doctors, the invitation can be addressed to "The Doctors [Last Name]." If they have different last names, list both names alphabetically on separate lines, with the person holding the professional title first: "Dr. [Name] [Last Name] and Dr. [Name] [Last Name]."

It is also acceptable to use full names without titles, especially if you are unsure about the guest's preferences or wish to maintain consistency across all invitations.

Using the correct degree (DDS or DMD)

When addressing a dentist on a wedding invitation, it is important to use the correct degree, either DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine). Both degrees represent the same level of education and clinical training, and dentists who hold either degree have the same qualifications to practice dentistry. The choice between the two degrees depends on the university, as different universities award different degrees.

When addressing the wedding invitation, the correct format is to use either 'Dr.' before the dentist's name or the post-nominal abbreviation for their degree after their name, but never both at the same time. For example, if you are addressing the invitation to a dentist with a DDS degree, you would write "Dr. John Smith" or "John Smith, DDS", but not "Dr. John Smith, DDS". It is essential to use the correct degree abbreviation, so be sure to find out which degree your dentist guest holds.

If you are unsure about whether to use the "Dr." title or not, it is generally considered acceptable to use full names without any titles for all guests. This approach can simplify the invitation process and avoid any potential confusion or offense. However, some people may prefer to have their title included, especially if they have earned a doctoral degree. In such cases, it is best to ask the individual guest about their preferred form of address.

It is worth noting that the use of academic titles in social situations can be a matter of personal preference and etiquette. While some people may expect their titles to be used in all contexts, others may find it inappropriate or insecure to use their academic title in a social setting. Ultimately, the decision on how to address your dentist guest depends on your relationship with them, the level of formality you wish to maintain, and any specific preferences they may have.

Frequently asked questions