What education or training do you need to become a dentist?
From our video partners
Family Health
Steps to take to create a healthy home.

Answer

You need a DDS (Doctorate of Dental Surgery) or DDM (Doctorate of Dental Medicine).

Here's more background info from a career handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor:

All 50 States and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed. To qualify for a license in most States, a candidate must graduate from one of the 55 dental schools accredited by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation in 2002 and also must pass written and practical examinations. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the State licensing requirements by passing the National Board Dental Examinations. Individual States or regional testing agencies administer the written or practical examinations.

Dental schools require a minimum of 2 years of college-level predental education, regardless of the major chosen. However, most dental students have at least a bachelor’s degree. Predental education emphasizes course work in science, and many applicants to dental school major in a science such as biology or chemistry, while other applicants major in another subject and take many science courses as well. A small number of applicants are accepted to dental school after 2 or 3 years of college and complete their bachelor’s degree while attending dental school.

All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). When selecting students, schools consider scores earned on the DAT, applicants’ grade point averages, and information gathered through recommendations and interviews. Competition for admission to dental school is keen.

Dental school usually lasts 4 academic years. Studies begin with classroom instruction and laboratory work in basic sciences, including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology. Beginning courses in clinical sciences, including laboratory techniques, also are provided at this time. During the last 2 years, students treat patients, usually in dental clinics, under the supervision of licensed dentists.

Most dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). The rest award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Currently, about 17 States license or certify dentists who intend to practice in a specialty area. Requirements include 2 to 4 years of postgraduate education and, in some cases, the completion of a special State examination. Most State licenses permit dentists to engage in both general and specialized practice. Dentists who want to teach or conduct research usually spend an additional 2 to 5 years in advanced dental training, in programs operated by dental schools or hospitals.

Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment regarding space and shape, a high degree of manual dexterity, and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills are helpful for success in private practice. High school and college students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics.

Some dental school graduates work for established dentists as associates for a year or two in order to gain experience and save money to equip an office of their own. Most dental school graduates, however, purchase an established practice or open a new one immediately after graduation. According to the ADA, each year about 12 percent of new graduates enroll in postgraduate training programs to prepare for a dental specialty.

Answer

Four years of college with a science degree, then dental school for four years with an internship.

Improve Answer Discuss the question "What education or training do you need to become a dentist?" Watch Question

First answer by ID1143464837. Last edit by ID1143464837. Question popularity: 63 [recommend question]

Research your answer:

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Health > Dental Health > What education or training do you need to become a dentist?

Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from)
If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates.
What kind dentist are there?  Required education for a dentist?  Education needed to be a dentist?  How much training do dentist take?  What level is a dentist education?  Education requirements for a dentist?  Education needed to become a dentist?  Education do you need to be a dentist?  Training and education to be a dentist?  Education requried to become a dentist?  What education is needed for a dentist?  How much schooling to be an optomitrist?  Specialized training to become a dentist?  What kind of education does a dentist need?  What kind of insurance does a dentist have?  What schooling do you need to be a dentist?  What type of education does a dentist need?  What education is necessary to be a dentist?  What kind of education is need for a dentist?  How much education does a dentist have to have?