Learn How to Become a Dentist: A Comprehensive Guide

Summary

• Dentists diagnose and treat oral issues. They also perform restorative procedures and educate patients on the impact of oral health.
• It usually takes 8 years to become a dentist.
• Dental school consists of courses in classroom settings, lab work, and clinical training.
• Licensure requires a doctorate in dentistry and a clinical exam.
• Dentists can practice generally or specialize in a subfield. Other roles include dental hygienist, assistant, technician, and office manager.

How to Become a Dentist

Wondering how to become a dentist? Dental careers have a broader impact than most realize. Dentistry helps communities prevent and treat oral diseases that significantly impact their overall health. Dentists prioritize patient care, education, and dental restoration. Let's explore dental careers and unpack common questions.

What Do Dentists Do?

A natural question for those considering dentistry is: What do dentists do? Dentists diagnose and treat health issues in the gums and mouth. They conduct routine checkups, X-rays, and deep cleanings. They also perform restorative procedures like fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions. 

Dentists also educate patients on the relationship between oral hygiene and overall health. They can identify systemic diseases, like diabetes, blood disorders, and other nutritional deficiencies, through symptoms that show up in the mouth.

Explore a Dentist Career Path

If you're wondering how to become a dentist, the first step is to complete a bachelor's degree, then dental school. However, some schools accept applicants with 90 semester hours if they have met the required prerequisites. Common majors include biology, chemistry, and health sciences. However, a degree in any field could work. 

Your major matters less than earning strong grades, completing prerequisite science courses, and performing well on the Dental Admission Test (DAT). To prepare for the DAT, you'll usually need to establish a study schedule and take practice tests. A common concern for aspiring dentists is: How long does it take to become a dentist? Most students take around 8 years to become a dentist.

Dental school usually lasts 4 years and includes biomedical sciences, lab work, and hands-on clinical training. Early years focus on classroom learning and lab skills. However, by the third and fourth years, you'll be working with real patients and mastering required procedures. You'll also build experience in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management.

Licensure and Dental Certification

A key step in how to become a dentist is obtaining licenses and certifications. To practice, you'll need a passing score on the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) and a clinical exam. Requirements vary by state. However, all require at least a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Dental Medicine from an accredited dental school.

Additionally, dentists may need certifications, continuing education, or other permits to provide various forms of sedation or general anesthesia in their practice. It's also common for states to require other dental staff, such as assistants, to achieve the Certified Dental Assistant credential from the Dental Assisting National Board.

Dental Career Paths and Specialties

Dentists can choose a general practice route or specialize in a number of fields. Some common specialties include:

• Orthodontists: These dentists specialize in using oral appliances like braces and retainers to correct teeth and jaw alignment.
• Periodontist: These specialists treat issues in the gums and the tissues that surround the teeth.
• Endodontist: These dentists treat the inside of the tooth and perform procedures that can save a tooth from extraction, such as root canal therapy.
• Oral surgeon: These dentists perform oral surgeries, including complex extractions, jaw surgery, cleft lip repair, and oral cancer treatment.
• Prosthodontist: These dentists restore missing teeth with crowns, bridges, and dentures. They may also use dental implants and other more advanced treatments to rebuild a functional smile.
• Pediatric dentist: These specialists work closely with children and teens to help them grow up with healthy teeth.

These specialties also give a comprehensive answer to the question: What do dentists do? 

Other Dental Careers

Other dentistry-related roles involve much shorter training. However, you'll still experience key benefits like patient impact and job stability. Other dental careers that you should consider beyond just being a dentist include:

Dental hygienist: This role focuses on direct patient care and education. Some find this appealing because they're interested in getting involved in clinical work without going through dental school.

Dental assistant: A dental aide or assistant supports dentists with procedures, patient prep, and X-rays. This role might be attractive because it's fast-paced and lets you be closely involved in procedures without as much schooling.

Dental technician: A technician makes crowns, bridges, dentures, and appliances. This field is an exciting blend of science and artistry, suited to someone interested in precision and lab work.

Office manager: An office manager handles scheduling, billing, and office operations. This job may appeal to someone who likes the business side of dentistry and wants to help keep things running smoothly.

These are just some ways you can enter the field of dentistry without committing to becoming a dentist.

Dentist Career Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to become a dentist?

It's quite challenging to become a dentist, as it involves substantial schooling and a significant financial investment. You need to be mentally resilient and willing to commit to a long-term investment.

How long does it take to become a dentist?

For most people, it takes 8 years after high school to become a dentist. If you choose a specialty, it may take closer to 10-14 years.

Fastest way to become a dentist?

The fastest way to become a dentist is through an accelerated program, usually called a BS/DDS direct-entry program, which can bring the timeline down to 6-7 years.

Can I become a dentist without college?

You'll need to attend college to complete your doctorate and become a dentist. Some schools allow you to start pursuing a DDS before you've finished your degree, which may save some time.