The Steps to Becoming a Dentist
If considering a career as a dentist the first step will be to complete a bachelor’s degree. There is no requirement for the type of bachelor’s degree a person must have in order to enter dental school. However, it is recommended to choose a degree in one of the sciences such as chemistry or biology. Some schools offer a pre-dental concentration that will ensure a student meets the requirements set by most dental schools. There are several prerequisite courses that must be completed in order to be accepted into dental school. These include chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology, and statistics.
In order to be admitted into dental school a person will be required to pass the DAT (Dental Admission Test) which is administered by the ADA or American Dental Association. This test consists of four sections: natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning. The scores from this test along with the student’s GPA and letters of recommendation will determine admission into the dental school.
Completing dental school will take four years. The first two years will be spent on coursework and lab studies. Some of the required courses during this time will include dental anatomy, radiology, periodontics and occlusion. During the last two years a student will work directly under a dental instructor to diagnose and treat patients.
In order to become a licensed dentist a person will have to pass the National Board Dental Examination. This two part examination covers both basic health topics and specific knowledge in dental areas. Most states will also require an individual to pass a state exam as well.
Once licensed a person may choose to open up their own practice or to join a partnership. The job outlook for dentists shows a 16% increase from 2008 to 2018. This is mainly due to the increased demand of dental treatment by the aging population.
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