How to Become a Dentist

A dentist treats and prevents diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth. Eight years of college and dental school studies are usually necessary for a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). All dentists have to pass additional state tests to obtain their required licenses.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ADA Online Information
• Academic Counselings
• College Catalogs
• Individual School Requirements And Application
• State License Information

1. Take high school biology, chemistry, physics, health and mathematics courses. Maintain a high grade point average.

2. Ask your guidance counselor for information on colleges that have a two-year pre-dental program that emphasizes the sciences. Most pre-dental students complete a bachelor's degree.

3. Send for college catalogs and applications. Apply well before the deadline date.

4. Commit yourself to receiving high grades in college, especially in your science courses.

5. Contact the American Dental Association for a list of four-year dental schools accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Make certain you'll meet the admission requirements. (See the ADA Web site at ada.org.)

6. Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Your test scores, overall grade point average, science average and recommendations will all weigh heavily in the decision to admit you to a dental school.

7. Understand that the first two years in dental school will consist of classroom and lab courses. The final two years are spent in clinics under the supervision of licensed dentists.

8. Obtain your license by passing additional written and practical state examinations after you've graduated from dental school. Make certain you know what your state's licensing requirements are well before you get to this point.

9. Check on your state's requirements for specialty licenses in the dental field. An additional two to five years of study is required.

Tips & Warnings

• Make certain you possess manual dexterity and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Expect to work 7 to 10 hours a day, not including emergencies.
• Expect to pay high premiums for liability insurance and to have large bills for equipment and skilled personnel if you have your own practice.

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[stuanderson]

on 6/20/2009 If you would like to learn what is needed in the UK to become a dentist, teh best resource I have found is at www.learnhowtobecomeadentist.com

[TannerK]

on 10/30/2008 I am currently a RDA at 19 years old, and I want to become a DMD. I didnt do so hot in high school with science and math classes, but I have a very high understanding and great interest in Dentistry. Where do I begin to achieve this goal? What kind of school should I go to first?

[mezzetti]

on 10/20/2008 cut me off.... If you need to get help in classes then get help. There is always someone at school that can help you out. Make friends with a biology adviser they can give you an outline of classes to take each semester and keep you on the right track.

[mezzetti]

on 10/19/2008 cut me off.... If you need to get help in classes then get help. There is always someone at school that can help you out. Make friends with a biology adviser they can give you an outline of classes to take each semester and keep you on the right track.

[mezzetti]

on 10/19/2008 cut me off.... If you need to get help in classes then get help. There is always someone at school that can help you out. Make friends with a biology adviser they can give you an outline of classes to take each semester and keep you on the right track.