How long dentistry takes

Another important point to consider is the fact that several factors might play against you and affect the time spent studying. You might be convinced to be a dentist now, but is it really the right path for you? Sure, dentistry is interesting, however, you will need to be genuinely interested and dedicated to teeth and oral health in general.

Also, if possible, go to a dental clinic or hospital to shadow a dentist. The first thing you should know is that it is not the easiest of professions. On average, it takes between six and eight years to become a dentist. First of all, dental school alone takes 4 years. In addition, the number of years does it take to become a dentist depends on how much you want to be a dentist and how far you want to go in the field.

After that, you might want to specialize in a specific area and, you will, therefore, spend more time studying. There are 2 dental programs that you can choose to become a dentist. The first would be to study for four years in an undergraduate program. These 4 years would then be followed by additional 4 ones at a dental school. On the other hand, you can join a dentistry program that will combine both the undergraduate degree and the dentistry program. Comments or questions?

Post them below. Your email address will not be published. Dr Michael Smith D. These students take a median time of 63 months to earn their degree. Best Variable Apr 1. Applying for dental school requires the successful completion of the Dental Admissions Test. You have 4 hours and 15 minutes to take the test, which is administered at approved testing centers. Most students take the DAT after their third year of college.

Getting a good score on the DAT is essential for dental school admission. You will find many study resources online to help with your preparation. The American Dental Association offers a lot of test prep including a full practice test on its website. The amount of time that students study for this exam greatly varies.

Some study plans recommend studying 40 hours per week for around eight weeks. Other plans suggest studying for hours per day for around five months. The test is scored on a scale of 1 to 30 with the average score being You can retake the exam a maximum of three times, but you must wait 90 days between attempts. To get an idea of how well you need to do, check out this table of the average DAT score held by students at each dental school. The curriculum is a combination of classes and clinical rotation hours.

Both programs prepare you for licensure and take the same amount of time to complete. Full-time students can expect to finish their degree within four years. Students wishing to earn a dual degree will spend additional time in school. Some universities even offer a way to earn your Ph.

Although not very common, some dental schools accept students right out of high school. Goldman School of Dental Medicine offers a similar seven-year program. Combination programs save you both time and money.

However, they are extremely competitive and selective. Dentistry includes nine recognized specialties that all require additional training after becoming licensed. These include dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and periodontics.

The time to complete each specialty is as follows:. Dentists can also choose to become a teacher or researcher—also known as an academic dentist. This too takes additional time. The latest you should take this test is September of your senior year of university if you plan to go on to Dental School immediately following your graduation from college. Studying should also begin several months before you take the DAT. Recommendation letters.

Dental schools ask for recommendation letters as part of the application process. Two evaluation letters from science faculty who taught you in a college course. One from a college instructor who taught you a course outside of science or your main discipline. Dental school applications. Applications are often submitted around the time you begin your senior year at university. Are you going to narrow your field of study and specialize in one or two areas of dentistry?

Clinical or live-patient examination. This is not required in every state, so this might not be something you have to do. Build a professional resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Dentistry is a lucrative and in-demand profession. Dental assistants still provide patient care and can take x-rays as well as help dentists perform procedures. Dental Hygienist. Dental hygienists are more concerned with preventative oral care and treating minor oral health conditions than fixing more significant oral issues.

They clean teeth and notice any signs of damage or disease, after which they can provide recommendations or refer you to a dentist for more thorough treatment. Dental Laboratory Technician. Dental laboratory technicians construct partial and complete dentures for patients who have lost teeth. They also create dvices that assist in corecting dental irregulatrieties. Dental Office Receptionist. Dental Office Manager. For some, this is the best path toward achieving their dental dreams.

Yes, becoming a dentist is hard. After graduating from high school, there are four years for an undergraduate education and degree and then there are another four years of dental school required. In addition to that, good grades are required to be accepted in dental school. Most dental school applicants require at least a B average, which is evidenced by the fact that the average GPA of dental school applicants is 3.