What Do You Need to Be a Dentist

Fascinated by teeth? Love helping people? And then a career in dentistry might be a good fit for you.
What does the procedure of condign a dentist entail? How long does it take to get a dentist?

In this guide, we get over how to become a dentist in 13 steps, starting in high school and going all the way through dental school. Before that, though, let's look at the job outlook of dentists and the basic requirements you must take to become one.

Condign a Dentist: Salary and Task Outlook

If you're interested in becoming a dentist, it's important that yous have a crude idea of what to wait in terms of bacon potential and employment growth. Here's the latest data.

Bacon Potential for Dentists

Dentists take the opportunity to brand quite a bit of money. Co-ordinate to the US Agency of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median bacon for all dentists in 2018 was $156,240, or $75.12 per hour. By comparison, the average median salary for all jobs in 2018 was $38,640; this ways that dentists make over $100,000 more than the median pay for all jobs in the US.

Moreover, this median salary for dentists was markedly higher than the median pay for all health diagnosing and treating practitioners, which was $lxxx,990 in 2018.

At present, it's important to know that different types of dentists have very different median salaries. The tabular array below compares the salaries of an array of dentists with singled-out specializations:

Type of Dentist	Median Salary (2018)
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons	$208,000+
Orthodontists	$208,000+
Prosthodontists	$176,540
Dentists, general	$151,850
Dentists, all other specialists	$146,970

Source: BLS

As you can encounter from the above table, oral surgeons and orthodontists make the nearly amount of money of any dental professional person, with median salaries exceeding $200,000.

Even so, all types of dentists brand a lot of money, so much then that they're one of the highest-paying jobs, co-ordinate to the BLS. Even if you're not a specialist in one of these extremely lucrative specializations, you can nevertheless bring in a smashing income!

Information technology should as well be noted that location, experience, and several other factors can actually impact the bacon you make as a dentist. Every bit an example, the BLS notes that dentists typically brand the nearly coin working at dentist offices, rather than doctor offices or medical hospitals.

In terms of what land offers dentists the highest salaries, that award goes to Delaware, which has an annual hateful wage for dentists of $264,440.

Chore Outlook for Dentists

Manifestly, the bacon potential is quite loftier for dentists. Just how is the employment outlook?

According to the BLS, the employment growth rate for dentists is 7% for 2018-2028 , which is 2% faster than the average growth rate for all jobs. In 2018, there were 155,000 dentist positions available in the US, and in that location is an predictable increase of 11,600 jobs from 2018 to 2028.

Hither'southward what the BLS states about employment for dentists:

"Demand for dental services volition increment as the population ages. Many members of the aging baby-boom generation will need dental piece of work. Because those in each generation are more than likely to keep their teeth than those in past generations, more dental intendance volition exist needed in the years to come. In improver, there will be increased need for complicated dental work, including dental implants and bridges."

This table shows the employment growth rates for different types of dentists, arranged from highest growth charge per unit to everyman:

Type of Dentist	Employment Growth Rate (2018-2028)
Dentists, general	eight%
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons	7%
Orthodontists	vii%
Prosthodontists	vii%
Dentists, all other specialists	v%

Source: BLS

Every bit the chart indicates, all types of dentists are expected to feel average or faster-than-average employment growth through 2028. That'south great news for aspiring dentists!

Strangely, brushing your teeth twice a twenty-four hours isn't technically a requirement for becoming a dentist.

iii Basic Requirements for Condign a Dentist

Let's briefly get over the three basic requirements you'll need in order to become a dentist.

#1: Doctorate in Dentistry

How long does it take to become a dentist? All dentists must have completed iv years of dental school and received a doctorate in dentistry. At that place are 2 types of dental doctoral degrees you can get:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)
  

The ii degrees mean the verbal same thing —at that place'south no divergence in coursework or skills learned. In other words, a dentist with a DDS is only as qualified as a dentist with a DMD, and vice versa. Which of these two dental doctorates you get will ultimately just depend on which ane your dental school offers.

Speaking of dental schools, the dental school yous pick must be accredited past the Committee on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that in that location are more 65 accredited dental schools in the Us.

Y'all can just enroll in dental school after you've earned a bachelor'southward degree—typically in a related field of study, such every bit chemistry or biology—and passed the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which we hash out in more item later.

Dental schools are extremely competitive, so yous'll demand to accept i very impressive application if you lot're hoping to go into top schools.

#two: Licensure

In every state you'll demand to get licensure in guild to practice dentistry. Although specific licensure requirements vary past state, all states require aspiring dentists to complete three things:

• Dental school (i.e., the educational component)
• Written exam
• Clinical exam

You cannot legally practice dentistry if you lot've completed dental school but have non passed your state'due south approved written and clinical exams. Your state dental board volition have all the information you need about what exams you must accept to go a dentist.

As mentioned above, the kickoff requirement for licensure is the completion of a four-year dental school program at a CODA-accredited institution.

The second requirement is the passing of a written examination, which is the same for all states: Function I and Part Two of the National Board Dental Test (NBDE). The two parts of this exam are both administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

Here's how the ADA describes the content of the NBDE:

"Each examination is composed exclusively of multiple-pick test items. Function I is a comprehensive examination covering the basic biomedical sciences, dental beefcake and ethics testlets. Part Ii is a comprehensive examination covering clinical dental subjects, including patient management."

Students typically take the written exam during the last two years of dental school, with advice and prep support from their programme.

The final requirement for licensure is the passing of a clinical test, which is required by near, only not all, states. The bodily test varies past region only is usually a alive-patient examination.

In one case y'all encounter all three of these requirements, you'll be officially licensed to practise dentistry in your country.

#3: Residency/Continued Educational activity and Specialty State Licensure

Though most aspiring dentists become on to get general dentist practitioners, some might want to specialize in a particular field, such as pediatric dentistry or periodontics.

In this case, you lot'll normally need to spend at least a couple of more years in school or in a residency and go country licensure for your chosen specialization (this is in addition to the bones educational activity and licensure requirements detailed above).

Again, exact requirements for this vary by state, so be certain to cheque directly with your state dental board for more information.

How to Become a Dentist: Consummate xiii-Step Guide

At present and so, let's go over each footstep you'll demand to have in order to become a dentist, from high school to dental school and beyond. We've divided this stride-by-footstep guide into three main sections:

• Role ane: High Schoolhouse
• Part 2: College
• Part 3: Dental School

How to Go a Dentist Part ane: Loftier Schoolhouse

Information technology might sound strange to start your journeying toward dentistry in high school, simply doing this can assist you get a head kickoff on the whole procedure and make you lot even more prepared for what to wait in dental schoolhouse.

Step 1: Take Lots of Math and Science Classes (and Do Well in Them!)

The field of dentistry requires high-level knowledge of science and math, so endeavour to take (and of course, do well in!) equally many math and science classes as you tin throughout high school.

The math and science classes yous're able to take will naturally depend on what is offered at your high schoolhouse, but here are some examples of courses that would work well for students hoping to somewhen establish a career in dentistry:

• Algebra
• Geometry
• Pre-calculus
• Calculus
• Statistics
• Trigonometry
• Biological science
• Chemical science
• Physics
• World science
• Marine scientific discipline/biology
• Ecology scientific discipline
• Geology
• Forensic science
• Astronomy

If possible, effort to have the honors and/or AP versions of these classes so you can learn even more near the topics and will be amend prepared for the loftier-level classes you lot'll need to take in college and dental schoolhouse.

Below are all the AP science and math classes and exams available to high school students (what your schoolhouse offers might be dissimilar!):

• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics ane: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• AP Physics C: Mechanics

You want to cull math/scientific discipline classes you lot can non but do well in, but that yous besides accept an actual interest in.

If you lot're not into astronomy, for example, it's OK if you don't have your school'south astronomy class⁠—just detect another science/math class that interests you more and that yous're confident you tin can go a good grade in.

Additionally, know that you certainly don't need to take all AP and/or honors versions of the science and math classes you cull. You should accept a solid number of these courses, certain—but you should just take the advanced versions if you're pretty confident you can perform well in them; otherwise, you might struggle to continue up your GPA.

Got braces? And then you probably know an orthodontist or dentist you can talk with.

Step 2: Reach Out to Local Dentists to Ask Questions

Equally a high school pupil, you likely go to the dentist or orthodontist adequately frequently and are therefore familiar with at least one dental professional in your area.

A local dentist can be an splendid resource for education you more nigh dentistry and what kind of career yous're envisioning for yourself. Run across whether you can email or phone call your local dentist to ask questions yous have about the profession and their own personal career path.

For example, maybe you're curious about what led this person to pursue dentistry and desire to know what they felt was the hardest function of becoming a dentist.

Footstep 3: Job Shadow a Real Dentist

Chore shadowing tin exist useful if y'all don't know a lot about the field you lot're interested in. To shadow someone is to spend a solar day observing them performing their everyday work duties.

Task shadowing a dentist means y'all'd get to watch them consult patients, perform oral exams, drill teeth with cavities, etc. The best time to shadow a dentist is during the summer when you're not in school and tin freely go to your local dental role on a weekday.

For more data almost job shadowing in loftier school, cheque out our in-depth guide.

Step four: Submit Neat College Applications

You don't need to go to whatsoever particular college to be a peachy dentist or an impressive dental school candidate, merely you should even so make an endeavour to put forwards a stellar college application and then you can become into a good school.

Here are the well-nigh of import qualities that brand for a superb higher awarding:

• A groovy GPA and testify of a challenging course load
  
• High Sabbatum/ACT scores
• A compelling personal statement
• Glowing letters of recommendation

Requite yourself plenty of fourth dimension to work on your applications and to write your essay(s) while also keeping an eye on your college application deadlines.

What non to practise when you're stressed in higher and planning to work with teeth.

How to Become a Dentist Part 2: Higher

Once you lot've graduated from high school, it's time to first seriously thinking about what steps you tin can take as a college student to assist you forge a steady path to becoming a dentist.

Footstep 5: Continue Taking Science and Pre-Health/Predental Classes

It doesn't matter where you lot go to higher if you're planning on becoming a dentist, just as long every bit you take (and excel in) as many science- and health-oriented classes every bit you tin. These may include classes such as organic chemistry, anatomy, and biology.

While you don't need whatever particular major for dental school, it's a proficient thought to choose a science major, such as chemical science, biological science, or physics. This manner you'll get washed a lot of the prerequisites you'll need in order to excel in dental schoolhouse.

General prerequisites for dental school are as follows:

• Viii hours of Biology with lab
• Eight hours of Physics
• Viii hours of English
• Eight hours of Full general Chemical science with lab
• Viii hours of Organic Chemical science with lab

If you're struggling to figure out which classes to take or what y'all should major in to set you for dental school, you can consult your school'due south Prehealth Professions Advisor whom yous can find through the National Clan of Advisors to the Health Professions.

Of form, brand certain you lot're performing well in your science, math, and pre-wellness courses. Your grades in these will be most of import to dental schools, which are notoriously competitive. So definitely do your best and try not to overwhelm yourself!

Step six: Join the American Student Dental Association

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) is a group that gives out free communication and publications for dental schoolhouse students and college and high school students who are interested in becoming dentists.

By joining the ASDA, you'll become access to a customs of aspiring dentists and mentors, likewise as scholarships, health and wellness resources, and tips for the National Board Dental Examination.

The toll to join is $71 for loftier school and college students, and $88 for dental school students.

Step 7: Gain Some Existent-Life Wellness Care Experience

If possible, effort to get a part-time job or volunteer position at a nearby health intendance facility⁠—ideally, a dental part. This kind of experience volition be peculiarly helpful if you didn't e'er get the chance to shadow a dentist back in loftier school.

Take your job equally an opportunity to learn more about the field of health care every bit a whole and to talk with existent health care professionals and dentists.

Consider working part-time or volunteering at a local dental office.

Footstep 8: Take (and Do Well on!) the DAT

The DAT, or Dental Admission Test, is an archway examination unique to dental school applicants (like to how the LSAT is specifically for law school applicants).

The DAT is available year-round, just assuming you desire to go into dental school right subsequently college, you'll want to begin preparing for the DAT during your junior year of higher and accept it at the end of your junior year (or, latest, kickoff of your senior twelvemonth).

The American Dental Education Association recommends taking the test in the leap semester of your junior twelvemonth.

The DAT is a multiple-choice test with four main sections:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences
• Perceptual Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Quantitative Reasoning

It's scored on a calibration of 1-30, with xix being most average. Yous tin apply to take the DAT and fifty-fifty purchase official exercise materials, all at the DAT website.

Step 9: Employ to Dental School

The summertime before your senior yr of college is when you should first getting ready to utilise to dental schoolhouse. Here's a listing of all dental schools in the US. Most higher students apply to five to xv dental schools, with a mix of accomplish schools, match schools, and prophylactic/fill-in schools.

Where you apply will depend on your own interests and preferences, just some of the all-time dental schools in the US include the following:

• University of Michigan School of Dentistry
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine
• University of Washington School of Dentistry

As mentioned previously, admission to dental schoolhouse is very competitive, and so brand sure you're putting together your accented strongest application.

Here are the main factors yous'll be evaluated on:

• College GPA (particularly how you did in science, pre-wellness, and/or predental classes)
• DAT score
• Messages of recommendation (best to get from scientific discipline professors and dentists or health intendance professionals yous've worked with)
• Personal interviews
• Dental function shadowing feel

Well-nigh dental schools require an interview as part of the awarding process. Here's what the ADA says most them:

"Most dental schools require personal interviews with candidates to assess qualities such as want to help people, cocky-confidence, ability to run across challenges, ability to get forth with people and capacity to work independently. The personal interview likewise provides an opportunity to inquire about the school."

If yous need assist with the dental school application process, refer to the ASDA Handbook, which is available for free to ASDA members.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons)

How to Become a Dentist Part 3: Dental School

Once you've committed to a dental school, you lot're on your fashion to becoming a total-fledged dentist!

Dental school lasts four years and results in either a DDS or DMD (both hateful the same thing and practise not differ in terms of coursework or skills gained).

The first two years of dental school are primarily classroom and lab pedagogy, with an emphasis on basic health sciences. In the last 2 years, you'll work with existent patients under the supervision of licensed kinesthesia.

To see what a day in the life of a dental educatee looks like, go to the ASDA website.

Step 10: Go Involved in Your Customs

Every bit you work your way through dental school, have reward of any appointment opportunities your school offers dental students. These could include volunteer positions at dental and health clinics, student clubs for dental or other health care students, and so on.

Engaging with others in your field tin provide you with more on-the-job experience and give you lot a better sense of what kind of environment you lot'd like to piece of work in and whether there's a specialization you want to learn more about.

Step 11: Decide Whether You Want to Specialize

Although most dental students keep to work as general dentists, some might desire to specialize in a certain subset of dentistry.

There are currently x specializations recognized by the ADA:

• Dental Anesthesiology
• Dental Public Wellness
• Endodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

If yous decide to specialize in one of these fields, you'll likely need to proceed your education in dentistry for two or more years. You'll also most likely need to get a specialty license in addition to your general dentistry license.

Exact requirements vary depending on the state, and then be certain to check with your state dental board.

Step 12: Take the National Board Dental Examination

Besides completing dental school, yous'll need to go licensed in order to work equally a dentist.

The first function of licensure is the written examination, which is the aforementioned for all states: the National Lath Dental Examination (NBDE). Y'all must pass both Part I and Part 2 of the NBDE to be able to practice the clinical exam (come across Step 13).

Nigh students take the NBDE in the final two years of dental school with assistance and resources from their programs.

The ADA has all the data you need for registering and studying for both parts of the NBDE. You can also consult your dental school to acquire more about what to wait on the exam.

Stride 13: Accept the Clinical Test

The second role of dental licensure is the clinical, or alive-patient, exam, which generally takes place after you stop dental school and have passed both Part I and Part II of the NBDE (run into Step 12).

The requirements for this examination can vary significantly by state (in fact, a few states don't even require a clinical examination!), and so yous'll want to contact your state dental lath if you have questions or concerns. Hither's a listing of all states and their individual licensure requirements.

It's worth noting that most candidates who don't get licensure on a first attempt fail in some area on the clinical exam. Fortunately, you can always retake the test!

If you take any further questions about licensure for dentists, check out this ADA pamphlet. One time y'all've passed your clinical exam, you'll be certified to practice dentistry in your state!

Germanna CC/Flickr

Recap: How to Become a Dentist in 13 Piece of cake Steps

How long does it accept to become a dentist? Becoming a dentist requires many years of dedication, focus, and hard piece of work—but past planning ahead, you tin can brand your own path to dentistry a lot smoother.

Dentistry is a neat profession to choose these days: it offers a high salary equally well as a high employment growth rate over the next several years.

At that place are iii basic requirements for becoming a dentist:

• Doctorate (DDS or DMD) from an accredited dental school
• Licensure, consisting of both a written and clinical exam
• Specialty licensure and further educational activity and/or completion of a residency (for specialists)

While y'all don't demand to start preparing for a career equally a dentist as early as high school, doing so can help you better plan out your academic and professional person path.

To sum up, here again are the xiii steps you need to have to become a dentist:

In High School

• one. Have Many Math and Science Classes (and Practise Well in Them!)
• 2. Accomplish Out to Local Dentists to Ask Questions
• three. Task Shadow a Existent Dentist
• 4. Submit Great College Applications

In Higher

• 5. Go along Taking Scientific discipline and Pre-Health/Predental Classes
• 6. Join the American Student Dental Association
• 7. Gain Some Existent-Life Health Care Experience
• 8. Accept (and Do Well on!) the DAT
• 9. Apply to Dental Schoolhouse

In Dental School

• 10. Get Involved in Your Community
• xi. Decide Whether Y'all Want to Specialize
• 12. Take the National Board Dental Examination
• 13. Take the Clinical Test

What'south Adjacent?

Maybe y'all're non interested in condign a dentist but notwithstanding desire to work in dentistry. If this sounds like you, you'll definitely desire to check out our guide on how to become a dental assistant!

What does information technology take to become a professor? Our pace-by-step guide walks you through the whole procedure then you can get started correct away on pursuing your dream career.

Or peradventure you're because becoming a physician or lawyer. We've got all the information yous need to know to embark on the career path you choose!

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About the Author

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the Academy of Michigan and holds a bachelor's caste from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate nigh education, writing, and travel.

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