Additional Information
Students who want to become dentists must take at least two years of pre-dental
studies at a university before they can enroll in dental school, which is
another four years. However, most students have at least a bachelor's degree
before entering dental school. Students interested in becoming dentists should
take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health and math.
All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test
(DAT). When selecting students, schools consider DAT scores along with grade
point averages, recommendations and interviews.
Aim for the top of the class -- space is limited at most dental schools.
"Look into what grades are needed to get into dental school now," says dentist
Sasha Prior. "The last I heard, it was harder to make dental school than it
was to get into medical school."
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed.
To qualify for a license in most states, candidates must graduate from a dental
school accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental
Accreditation and pass written and practical exams. That's according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Once students finish their studies, they receive either a doctorate of
dental surgery (DDS) or a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD). The dental degree
and education are the same. The name depends on the university granting the
degree.
If you are interested in this career, do some job shadowing. "Contact your
local dentist and ask to observe for a few weeks or to help out in the clinic,"
suggests dentist Hor Tak D. Zung. "Don't be shy about approaching dentists
to ask them about their job."