How To Become A Dentist

Step 1. Earn Good Grades and Study Science in High School

The best thing that you can do to get started is to study science in high school as much as you can. You’ll be taking many science-based courses if you want to become a dentist, and this means that getting a solid base of knowledge in high school will help you out.

Earning good grades will allow you to get into a good college without having any problems. If you can maintain a high GPA, then you’ll be ready to start pursuing a college degree once you’ve graduated high school. Being studious and seeking out learning opportunities should prepare you for college nicely.

Step 2. Go to College and Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Next, you’re going to need to spend time in college so that you can earn a bachelor’s degree. It takes approximately four years of going to college full-time to earn a bachelor’s degree. Most students who want to become dentists will choose a science major of some sort.

You could choose to major in biology, but it isn’t a requirement for you to become a dentist. Some students have gone into dentistry without majoring in scientific fields, but you will still need to have taken a certain number of credit hours worth of science courses to qualify for dental school.

It’s recommended to just focus on science as your major so that you will have the knowledge you need for dental school. Taking courses in biology and organic chemistry will help you out immensely.

Step 3. Take the Dental Admission Test

Admission into dental school is not automatic, and many of the best dental programs can be hard to get into. This is why you need to study to take a dental admission test so that you can go to a dental school. Most prospective dental students take this test before they earn a bachelor’s degree, but you can wait until after you’ve earned the degree as well.

Before you seek admission into a dental school, you’ll want to go ahead and complete the test. You should have a good general knowledge of biology and organic chemistry before taking this test. It’s recommended that you attend one year of university and take several related science courses before attempting this test.

There is usually a fee associated with the dental admission test, but how much it is will vary depending on the program that you’re trying to get into. Some schools might lessen or waive the fee depending on your financial aid status or other information. It’s also typically better to apply to take this test ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute.

Step 4. Apply to a Dental School

You can apply to a dental school so that you can continue your education. Dental school will take four years to complete, and you’ll earn your DDS or DMD once you’ve made it through.

It’s possible that the university that you gained your bachelor’s degree from might also have a dental school, but you might need to apply to a dental school elsewhere if they don’t. You’ll want to find a good dental program that will give you a robust education so that you can have a successful career.

There are many dental programs throughout America that you can look into. Currently, there are 67 accredited dental schools in the United States and 10 in Canada.

Step 5. Choose Whether to Specialize

There are also different types of dental specialties that you might be interested in. You might want to focus on general dentistry, but others might wish to pursue becoming oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, or orthodontists.

Take the time to decide which path you want to pursue as you’re attending dental school. You might find yourself interested in a particular aspect of dentistry that will help to guide you down a new path.

Step 6. Obtain Licensing

Generally, the dental school that you attend is going to give you information about what you need to do to get licensed. The only issue is that licensing requirements can differ depending on where you wish to practice. For example, one state in America might require certain things that another doesn’t.

You’ll need to look into the specific requirements of your area so that you can gain your license to practice as a dentist. This often involves getting licensed by the American Dental Association (ADA). You’ll want to contact your state licensing board to get the necessary information about licensing requirements before moving forward.

Step 7. Join a Dental Practice

If all has gone well, then you will have received your DDS or DMD after finishing dental school. With your license to practice in hand, you’ll be able to join a dental practice once you’re ready. Many dentists who are starting out will seek a position at a dental clinic or practice that is run by an experienced dentist.

You can learn from the dentist that runs the clinic or practice and hone your craft over time. It’s also possible that you could start your own practice right away. If you have the financial ability to start your own dental practice, then you can get things going as soon as you acquire the space and necessary equipment.