Buzz
Discover the Timeline for Becoming a Dentist
Embarking on the journey to become a dentist requires dedication to academic pursuits—spanning a minimum of 8 years to acquire a bachelor's degree followed by a doctorate in dentistry. Should you aspire to specialize in a specific area of dentistry, an additional 3 years of residency may be necessary, extending the duration to up to 11 years. Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of the essential steps involved in becoming a dentist, encompassing education, licensure, and beyond.
Essential Insights
- Attain a bachelor's degree in pre-dentistry or a related scientific field, followed by a 4-year dental school program to obtain your doctorate in dentistry.
- Successfully complete both the national written and clinical examinations to qualify for state licensure application.
- Consider enrolling in a specialized residency program for an additional 3 years of focused training and education in your preferred area of dentistry.
Procedural Steps
Academic Pursuit
Earn a bachelor's degree in pre-dentistry or a related scientific field. The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) advises pursuing a degree encompassing biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Additionally, knowledge of anatomy and physiology is crucial for aspiring dentists.
- Many dentists lack business acumen. Supplement your education with business courses, especially if you aim to establish your dental practice. Courses in business management, accounting, finance, and leadership are invaluable for aspiring dentists.
- Given the fierce competition for dental school admission, prioritize maintaining excellent academic performance throughout your undergraduate studies. Cultivate effective study habits during your undergraduate years to ensure success in dental school.
Pursue shadowing or work experience opportunities. Seize any chance to observe dentists in action or gain experience in a dental setting to enhance your practical understanding of the profession. Consult your professors about available opportunities or reach out to local dentists to inquire about potential placements.
- Shadowing provides firsthand insight into the daily activities of dentists, aiding in your decision-making process before committing to dental school.
Cultivate essential interpersonal skills for dental practice. Beyond technical proficiency in dental procedures, successful dentists require strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients. An empathetic approach and the ability to establish rapport with patients contribute to positive recommendations and practice growth. Key soft skills for dentists include:
- Confidence and a positive demeanor
- Diligence and a strong work ethic
- Effective communication and teamwork abilities
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Problem-solving prowess and adept time management
Prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Analogous to the MCAT for medical school applicants, the DAT is typically taken during your junior year of undergraduate studies if you intend to progress directly from undergrad to dental school. Begin studying in the summer after your sophomore year. Accepted by 66 dental schools in the US and 10 in Canada, the DAT is available year-round at Prometric Test Centers and requires approximately 4.5 hours for completion. Exam topics encompass:
- Natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry)
- Perceptual ability (solving two- and three-dimensional problems)
- Reading comprehension (covering dental and fundamental sciences)
- Quantitative reasoning (mathematical problems involving algebra, numerical computations, and conversions)
Apply to the centralized dental schools application service. Utilize the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS), a centralized platform enabling simultaneous application submission to multiple dental schools. The application encompasses details regarding your educational background.
- In addition to completing the application, compose a compelling personal statement
and secure a minimum of three letters of recommendation.
- The ADEA advises initiating the process of requesting letters of evaluation at least two months before application submission.
- When submitting your application, specify the schools to which you wish to forward your application through the service.
Provide your official transcripts and test scores to ADEA AADSAS. Obtain your official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended and arrange for their direct submission to the application service. Request the institutions to send transcripts directly to ADEA AADSAS.
- The ADEA offers resources to navigate the application process and facilitate comparisons among dental schools, aiding in selecting the most suitable options.
Attain your doctoral degree through a four-year dental program. Dental schools confer graduates with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD). Despite distinct titles, both signify equivalent qualifications—schools simply opt for one denomination over the other. Dental school typically unfolds as follows:
- Year 1: Prioritize academic excellence and engage in extracurricular pursuits of interest, demonstrating sustained commitment.
- Year 2: Explore specialization avenues and gather information on potential specialties and residencies. Pursue externship opportunities during the latter half of the academic year.
- Year 3: Maintain academic rigor, complete externships, and seek guidance from peers in desired residencies. Begin assembling materials for residency applications, with submission deadlines typically in the summer.
- Year 4: Participate in interviews with interested residency programs while managing academic responsibilities and extracurricular involvement. Strive for leadership roles within ongoing extracurricular activities.
Ace the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). The INBDE, spanning two days, constitutes a mandatory licensure examination for all dental students, affirming proficiency in entry-level dentistry to state dental boards.
- The INBDE marks the initial stage of the licensure procedure.
- Typically, dental schools coordinate simultaneous INBDE administration for all students.
Licensure Process
Successfully pass the state's regional clinical examination. Initial licensure in most states mandates passing clinical assessments, where your patient treatment skills are evaluated. Specific details about required clinical exams and their annual availability are provided by your state board.
- Regional testing agencies are often employed by state boards to administer these clinical assessments. Larger states may accept multiple regional tests.
Fulfill any mandatory continuing education requirements. Several states necessitate completion of continuing education hours, typically focusing on ethical aspects of dental practice. Your state board offers detailed information regarding compulsory courses for initial licensure.
- Certain states may also mandate specific certifications. For instance, Massachusetts mandates dentist certification in either CPR or basic life support.
Complete and submit your licensure application to your state dental board. Each state provides an application form along with necessary documentation requirements. Refer to your state board's website for a comprehensive list of documents to accompany your application. Typically, you'll need the following:
- Completed application form
- Valid identification
- Criminal background check results
- Recent photograph
- Letters of recommendation
Advanced Training
Select your dental specialization. Following dental school graduation, you can opt for general dentistry or pursue further specialization through a 2-3 year postdoctoral residency. Contemplate various specialties during dental school to choose one aligned with your interests. Recognized specialties by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) include:
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Oral medicine
- Orofacial pain
- Pediatric dentistry
- Periodontology
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Orthodontics
- Public health dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- Dental anesthesiology
Discover eligible programs using the ADEA program finder. Utilize the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS), a centralized application system employed by residency programs. Navigate the ADEA PASS Program Finder to identify residency programs aligning with your preferences and requirements. Tailor your personal statement and update your resume accordingly for your selected programs.
- Solicit letters of recommendation from dental school professors, practicing dentists, or mentors to support your application.
Enroll in the postdoctoral dental matching program. Distinguished from ADEA PASS, the postdoctoral dental matching program employs an algorithm to prioritize your application among other applicants for residency programs. These rankings assist residency programs in efficiently filling available residency positions.
- The matching program streamlines the interview process, facilitating residency programs in scheduling interviews with applicants.
Finalize your standardized application. Similar to the dental school application process, ADEA PASS serves as a unified application platform disseminated to selected residency programs, minimizing the need for multiple applications. Alongside the application, include the subsequent documents:
- Official dental school transcript
- One institutional evaluation
- Three to five professional evaluations
Submit your application and associated fees. Electronically submit your application via the ADEA PASS website. Initial application fees commence at $199 for the primary program and $92 for each additional program. No cap exists on the number of programs you may apply to.
Provide any supplementary materials requested by individual programs. Certain programs may necessitate additional documentation beyond the standardized application. Typically, programs will issue an email prompting submission of such materials. Upon receipt, submit these materials through the ADEA PASS website, following the same protocol as your initial application submission.
Attend interviews with interested residency programs. Residency programs keen on your application will arrange interviews, typically during the initial semester of your fourth year in dental school. Interviews often span weekends and entail two to three days of interactions, including meals and informal discussions.
- By the conclusion of your fourth year in dental school, residency programs will notify you of your admission status. In the event of multiple acceptances, the choice of program rests with you.
- Be mindful that dental residency programs are highly competitive—sometimes even more so than dental school itself. Remain resilient if you encounter setbacks in securing admission to your preferred program.
Insights
-
While not obligatory, pursuing dental education in the same state where you intend to practice can streamline the licensure process and render it more straightforward.
Precautions
- This guide pertains to becoming a dentist in the United States. Variations may exist if you reside in or aspire to practice in another country.
