What College Classes Do You Need to Become a Dentist?
After earning their undergraduate degree, aspiring dentists move on to dental school. This four-year program challenges students as they work through a rigorous curriculum to earn their DDM, or Doctor of Dental Medicine. The dental school curriculum includes a range of courses; students establish a basic science foundation before moving onto courses more specific to the dental field.
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Basic Science Courses
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A foundation in basic sciences is essential for success in dental school -- and as a dentist. Thus, the first year of most dental programs focuses on science courses. Dental students can expect to take courses in biology, anatomy and biochemistry. However, anatomy courses focus on the head and neck, since that's the part of the anatomy that dental students will work with on a daily basis. These courses specifically focus on the oral-facial region.
Patient Care Courses
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Working with patients is part of a dentist's essential, day-to-day functions, so many dental school courses focus on patient care. Dental students at the University of California San Francisco, for example, take three levels of the course Introduction to Comprehensive Care. Second-year dental students at the University of Louisville take Introduction to Clinical Dentistry, which introduces students to clinical patient treatment in different settings.
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Dental Care Courses
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After completing science prerequisites during their first year, dental students move into dental-specific courses for the remaining three years. These courses cover a range of dentistry topics. Students take courses in dental hygiene theory, dental radiology and community dental health. Other courses focus on specific areas like periodontics, pediatric dentistry or endodontics. Students can also expect to take a course in oral surgery, which connects closely to the field of dentistry.
Other Courses
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Different dental programs expose students to other course options. At the University of Louisville, students can explore ethical issues in dentistry or take a course in special topics, which discusses dentistry areas like clinical pharmacology or prosthodontics. The Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry offers courses in preventive oral health education and current issues in the field. The University of Pennsylvania offers courses that expose students to emergency medicine and orthodontics.
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References
- Photo Credit dentist image by pavel siamionov from Fotolia.com
