Abbreviations After a Doctor's Name A doctor is considered one of the most prestigious and respected careers, whether the person is a medical or dental doctor or a doctor in one of the sciences. There are a number of different abbreviations after a doctor's name, and while it's unlikely that you will know them all, some are better known than others. This guide to the letters that come after a doctor's title will help you determine whether you're getting the care and information that you seek from the appropriate professional. Doctor Abbreviations The abbreviations, acronyms , and initialisms that come after a doctor's name can signify a number of different things. They might indicate the type of schooling or training they received so that they'd be qualified to specialize in a certain field. They can indicate professional associations to which they belong. They can also point out other kinds of education or designations that they have earned