How Many Years of College to Become a Dentist?
As with any other medical career, dentistry requires a lengthy science-focused education and training period. After completing an undergraduate program and a dental program, candidates must become licensed by the state they want to practice in before treating patients. With the national average salary of dentists ranging between $93,937 and $152,410, dentistry programs are competitive and it is imperative to perform strongly as an undergraduate in order to be admitted to an accredited dentistry program.
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Pre-Dental Education
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The minimum requirement to be admitted to dental school is at least two years of pre-dental education; however, 85 percent of students admitted to dental school have their bachelor's degrees. Others complete their bachelor degrees while attending dental school. The American Dental Association offers aspiring dentists guidelines to assist in mapping out which courses to complete as an undergraduate in order to get into an accredited dental program (see Resources). Undergraduate education usually lasts between four to five years.
Dental School
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As of November 2010, there are 57 accredited dental programs in the United States. In order to become a licensed dentist, students must graduate from an accredited dental school. The American Dental Association provides a list of accredited schools on their website (see Resources). Dental school applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which, along with interviews, grade point average and recommendations, determines whether an applicant is accepted to the dental school. Dental school itself usually lasts four years, with the first two years devoted to coursework anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry and physiology. During the second half of dental school, students treat patients in licensed dentists' offices.
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Licensure
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To practice as a dentist, students must graduate from an accredited program and then pass licensing tests. Although licensing requirements vary by state, in most areas the licensing test is comprised of a combination of written and practical examinations. By passing the National Board Dental Examinations, candidates fulfill the written portion of the state licensing test. The practical portion may vary by state.
Additional Training
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Although most dentists are general practitioners, some specialize a specific area. The nine types of specialized dentists are: orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, pediatric dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, oral pathologists, oral and maxillofacial radiologists and dental public health specialists. To specialize in one of these fields, candidates must complete an additional two to four years of postgraduate education. Those who want to teach or research full-time spend an additional two to five years in advanced dental training.
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References
Resources
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