Each of these specialties could take you another two years of specialized training and school to earn your certificate in that field. National Board Dental Examination. This is a national test with two parts, and you must pass both of them before taking your clinical exam. The good news is that you can take these exams during dental school, which most people do. Clinical Examination. This exam is called a clinical or live-patient dental examination.
It can also be taken during your last year of dental school, or you can take it immediately after. There are two important things to note about this exam. When you add all of that up, it comes to roughly eight years after high school to become a general dentist. Our AI resume builder helps you write a compelling and relevant resume for the jobs you want. The next thing you need to do is learn the steps for becoming a dentist so you can get on the right path.
High school dental prep. Start by taking as many health and science-related classes as you can. Get that grade point average up there and start networking.
Contact a few local dentists to see if they would be willing to mentor you. Most students entering dental college have their undergraduate degrees, but not all. A few exceptional dental students get into dental school with only a couple of years of college under their belt. They can vary a little bit from school to school, but the following are fairly standard. Some colleges have additional requirements. You might want to plan to take eight credit hours or two semesters of the following fields to open your dental school options to more college:.
Math Calculus or Statistics might be required. The good news about undergraduate studies is that there is no required major. There are prerequisite classes, but you can pick any major you find interesting, and it would be in your benefit to select the one you will excel in — grades matter.
Get involved. Dental schools will also review your extracurricular and volunteer experiences. They ideally want to see applicants who have had exposure to dentistry , done some community service or local outreach, and that there has been a research element to your experiences. This is why making connections with dentists and getting a mentor in high school can be so useful in the future. This is THE test for future dentists.
Some schools even offer pre-dental programs that put you on track for heading off to dental school. The American Dental Association recommends applying for dental school a year in advance of your start date, as the process can be rigorous and you need to find a good fit.
After you finish dental school, you will be required to get your dental license from your state board in order to start practicing dentistry.
So how many years does it take to become a dentist? Specializations like becoming an oral surgeon or periodontist will require additional training and education.
However, some students who choose not to specialize can shorten their time in school with a combined educational program.
The following factors can affect your timeline when becoming a dentist:. Some aspiring dentists will complete four years in an undergraduate program, followed by another four years in a dental program. Dentistry programs that combine the undergraduate degree with dentistry training will typically allow students to complete the program in about six years. Whether or not you choose to specialize in an area of dentistry will also influence your timeline, as specializations require additional training.
The major that you pursue in your undergraduate program can affect how long it takes for you to become a dentist. For example, students who choose an undergraduate program in areas such as biology, chemistry or pre-med may have to take fewer courses in dental school. Some students may choose to pursue a double major to further prepare themselves for dental school, but a double major can also take more time to complete.
Admission to dental school can be a competitive process. Students will need a good GPA and recommendations from previous professors or employers. Additionally, students will need a minimum score on the state exam. The number of programs that you apply to and whether or not you are admitted into your preferred school can affect how long it takes to become a dentist.
Related: Letter of Recommendation for College Students. Additionally, dentists may choose to specialize in a certain area of dentistry. The American Dental Association recognizes nine specializations within the dentistry industry, which include:.
A general dentist typically works in a dental office in a public health environment. They complete checkups and educate patients on proper dental care practices but they may also sometimes perform surgeries.
An orthodontist focuses on the alignment of the teeth. Orthodontists often work with children, teens and young adults in diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth. Oral and maxillofacial pathologists are primarily focused on the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. They may work with dental patients with frequent cavities, periodontal disease, dental trauma or cleft lips.
A pediatric dentist specializes in the education and treatment of dental conditions affecting younger patients. Children and teens have unique dental concerns, as they are still growing and developing.
An oral and maxillofacial radiologist focuses primarily on the evaluation and interpretation of diagnostic images. Oral radiologists will often assist other dental professionals when evaluating the results of X-rays. Look for either degree when confirming your dentist received the proper education or when researching programs for yourself!
Typically, the first two years of dental school focus on coursework. The exact course of training for a dentist will vary slightly from school to school.
Once dental school is complete, a student needs to take and pass a series of examinations. The ADA notes three critical requirements to licensure: an educational component, a written test, and a clinical examination.
Besides these three components, additional requirements for licensure vary by state. They range from oral surgeons to orthodontists to pediatric dentists. As noted above, becoming a specialist requires more training — in some cases, as many as six extra years of education and clinical experience. Once a dentist has completed dental school and all the necessary exams and potential postgraduate training, they are ready to put their learnings into practice!
They can set up an office as a private practice dentist, teaching patients the benefits of daily oral care, diagnosing and treating cavities or other dental problems, and generally helping patients have the healthiest mouths possible. Hopefully, this information gives you a deeper understanding of how to become a dentist. You can rest assured any dentist who earns a DMD or DDS degree will have had the adequate training needed to clean your teeth, teach you proper oral care, diagnose dental issues, and offer the best course of treatment.
And although the road to becoming a dentist is a long one, it's well worth it for those who have a passion for improving people's oral health. Everyone needs dental care, and thus, this profession is in high demand and serves a worthy cause. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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