A bachelor’s degree is required to become a dentist, as is passing the dental admission test (DAT) and attending a four-year dental school. In addition, a dentist must be licensed in the state where he practices. An aspiring dentist should have a strong natural science background, as well as dexterity and excellent communication skills.
A person interested in becoming a dentist should major in biology or a related field in college. Undergraduate coursework in biology, physics, and anatomy, as well as inorganic and organic chemistry, should be relevant to what the student will see in dental school. In addition, taking psychology and business courses may be beneficial. Pre-dental programs are available at some colleges, and advisers should be able to assist students in planning a course of study that will best prepare them for dental school.
A dental school applicant must pass the DAT after earning an undergraduate degree in order to be accepted to a dental school. The DAT is a test administered the American Dental Association (ADA) that evaluates an applicant’s overall academic ability, scientific knowledge, and perceptual ability. In most cases, a person must take the dental admission test one year prior to his or her anticipated enrollment date.
After receiving his DAT results, the applicant must apply to dental schools. It’s critical to attend a dental school that has been approved the American Dental Association (ADA). Grade point averages, DAT scores, and recommendations, as well as extracurricular activities and internships, are used to evaluate applicants. Prior to acceptance, some schools require personal interviews. Many dental schools participate in the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service, which allows applicants to submit applications to multiple dental schools at once for a fee.
An aspiring dentist will study health sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, and pathology, as well as radiology, dental anesthesiology, physiology, and pharmacology while in dental school. Students in dental school will learn how to apply health sciences to dentistry and patient care. Business management, community health, and professional ethics are among the other topics covered in dental school.
The first two years of dental school are typically focused on coursework and laboratory studies. A student will be required to participate in lab sessions where he will be required to apply the dental techniques learned in class. A student will engage in clinical practices and treat patients under the supervision of a dental instructor during the final two years of dental school.
After graduating from dental school, the dental candidate must pass the National Board Dental Examination in order to obtain his state license. The American Dental Association (ADA) administers the test, which covers both general health and dental topics. Dentists are required to renew their state licenses every two years.