The Best Way to Become a Dentist
Dentists check for health problems in patients' mouths. Upon finding an issue, dentists diagnose and treat the culprit. Most dentists are actually general practitioners who provide basic dental care. Some choose to specialize in areas, such as orthodontics. Dentists attend years of training and, as a result of all the hard work, they eventually earn a six-figure salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists had a median annual wage of $142,090 in May 2009. Employment is expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent from 2008 through 2018. (S If you're interested in high pay and good job prospects, then consider a career as a dentist.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Begin to review dental schools and complete the necessary requirements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 57 accredited schools recognized by the American Dental Association.
Dental schools require applicants to have at least two years of predentistry courses that can be taken at a college or university. A predentistry program helps students prepare for dental school, but does not always end with a bachelor's degree, according to College Board, a non-profit that connects students with educational opportunities. Most dental students were accepted to a dental program with a bachelor's degree, but some only had two to three years of college upon admission. College Board recommends typical undergraduate courses, such as "anatomy and physiology; biochemistry; calculus; cell biology; general biology; general chemistry; general psychology; genetics; microbiology; organic chemistry; and physics.
-
2
Apply to a dental school. Dental schools require the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Other competitive factors considered in selecting students for the program include grade point averages, recommendations and interviews.
-
-
3
Enroll in a dental school. Dental school typically lasts four years and eventually leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The first two years include classroom instruction on clinical sciences, as well as laboratory techniques. The last two years consist of gaining hands-on experience in treating patients at dental clinics while working under the direction and supervision of licensed dentists.
-
4
Take the licensing examination. In most states getting a license means passing written and practical exams after receiving a degree from a dental school. Graduates may take the National Board Dental Examinations for the written portion. However, candidates should check their individual state board to see what the specific requirements are.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dentist image by Sandor Kacso from Fotolia.com
