Becoming a medical expert in dental health is the dream of many high school students and undergraduates. For someone who wants to become a dentist, asking the right questions matters.
There are several requirements involved before one becomes a certified dentist. Attending a medical school is the most important aspect of fulfilling the dream of becoming a dentist.
The American Dental Association or the ADAA has put in place some pretty specific requirements for a student to meet to be eligible for admission into their organization.
These requirements have been created to make sure that there is a solid base of knowledge and experience within the speciality.
So, what are the requirements involved to become a certified dentist?
Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a health professional with expertise in dental health, specializing in dentistry.
Dentistry, which is also referred to as cosmetic dentistry and dental medicine, is a division of medicine that consists of the study, prevention, and treatment of oral problems, diseases, disorders, and abnormalities of the teeth, maxillofacial region, and associated tissues.
Dental professionals play an integral part in improving the oral health of patients by providing preventive services, screening for tooth and gum disease, treating cavities and plugged teeth, correcting tooth decay, and recommending preventative care such as cleanings and fluoride treatments.
Dentists have the skills and training to perform various procedures, including root canal treatment, emergency tooth removal, tooth extraction, tooth implants, and much more.
How to Become a Dentist
As we said earlier, becoming a dentist involves specific requirements. Building a profession in dentistry requires extensive education and training.
Let’s look at the specific steps involved in becoming a dentist.
Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree
Your journey to becoming a dentist starts with earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This is the first stage and step towards pursuing a career in dentistry.
We talk about the requirements for one to become a dentist. A bachelor’s degree is required at dental school, so it’s important to present a degree in any field, especially in a biological science major.
It’s important you present the best grades in courses such as chemistry, biology, and physics. This places you in a better position as you proceed further into the field of dentistry. Important topics from these courses will help better understand your chosen career path.
Apply to dental schools
Before you apply to a dental school, you must take the Denta Admission Test (DAT). Dental school will review your GPA from your undergraduate degree and score on the Dental Admission Test.
They also consider letters of recommendation from your instructors or managers.
Once you have completed these requirements, then you can apply to a dental school of your choice.
If you are currently working full-time, you may want to consider taking science classes as part of your extracurricular activities. Even if you do not have a full-time job, there are ways to receive money for extra classes, such as by filling out an application for Professional Development.
Consider the specific dentistry field you want to ply your trade
The next step you will need to consider is what types of dental work you will be performing daily. Most dentists specialize in one or two fields, so it may be helpful for you to narrow down your targets to areas related to mouth maintenance.
If you want to work on teeth whitening, for example, you may wish to find dentists who focus primarily on this service. If you are going to work on cavity fillings, you will need to find dentists who focus primarily on crowns and bridges.
Find out the dental licensing requirements
Once you have decided on these specific areas of specialization, you will need to consider the different licensing requirements. The most common requirements that all states require of all dentists are BAD Certification.
This certification can be acquired through various independent organizations or your current dentist’s office. In most states, however, BAD Certification is not an option – you must complete the exam in person.
The rules for obtaining this certification vary from state to state, so you should check with your state to find out exactly what the procedure is before you begin.
Once you have completed the requirements described above, you will be able to apply for your dental school admission. You should send a copy of your transcript from your high school to the admissions office at your prospective dental school to gain admission.
If you were accepted into a dental school that does not accept National Certification, you will be able to complete the process of getting NCLEX-approved science classes from your local junior and senior high school.
Once you have completed your science classes, you will be able to take the NCLEX. Completing the test will satisfy the oral surgery component of your application.
How much does it cost for dental school?
Regarding a survey carried out by the Health Policy Institute and the American Dental Association, the average cost of studying dentistry in a public school is $41,927 and students who are interested in private dental schools are likely to pay $78,581 for their dental program.
Factors that may affect dental school cost
You need to consider where you live because this can affect how much you pay for dental school. For example, if you live in a small town then you most likely will pay more for dental school than someone that lives in a big city. Also, there are other things to consider such as your level of experience.
If you have been working in the field for years then you should be able to get lower fees than someone who has just completed their schooling for the first time. The location of the school can also affect how much you pay as some areas cost more to visit than others.
Another thing to consider when thinking about how much it costs for dental school is your career path. If you have a plan for continuing in the dental field after you graduate then the cost of going to school may not be as much as if you were planning on changing careers.
The type of dentist you want to be will also affect how much you pay. If you want to work with pediatric dentistry then you are going to have to come up with a lot more money than someone who wants to work in cosmetic dentistry.
References
- The American Dental Association: Dental Education
- Indeed.com: How To Become a Dentist in 6 Steps (With Salary and FAQs)
