A career in dentistry is an option for students who have the desire to help people and want to earn good money. It is a demanding degree, but the rewards can be great. There are many job opportunities in varying fields with good salaries. It can be rewarding to help people with their oral health. Here’s what you need to know if you want to become a dentist.
Decide whether this is the right career for you
If you know from early on that this is a career you want to pursue, you can start preparing for it. In high school, you can do advanced math and science classes that could give you a good foundation for what lies ahead. The extra-curricular activities you pursue can help you to build up people skills.
Shadowing a dentist is an opportunity that can increase your understanding of what dentists actually have to do. You can observe as a dentist gives patients oral hygiene instructions, takes x-rays, fills or removes damaged teeth, etc.
Invest in your education
You need a bachelor’s degree to apply to most dental schools. Dental schools do not require a specific major, but majors like biology and chemistry will work in your favor.
Some students join a dental school preparation program so they can gain some foundational knowledge in the field. You can also do preparatory online courses where you complete practice exams. This may help you to earn higher scores on a Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
Apart from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) score, dental schools may want letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Any extra-curricular activities that give you experience in working with the public are also relevant.
Help with essay writing for dental students
In the course of their studies at college and dental school, students have to write many assignments. Studying to be a dentist can be extremely challenging. You may find you need online help with assignment writing. You can find a “write my essay” service with professional writers to help you. The highly popular essay writing service EduBirdie has writers with the right educational background. Getting their help will give you the time you need to study for dental degree exams and relieve your stress.
How long does it take to become a dentist?
It usually takes eight years to qualify as a dentist. A bachelor’s degree takes four years, and a dental school program takes four years. You will usually spend the first two years in the classroom and the last two working in a clinical setting. On completion of the program, you will receive a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). The only difference between these two is the name.
Get licensed
You have to have a valid license to practice dentistry. You must pass the National Board Dental Examinations by doing a two-part test. It covers ethics, dental science, and clinical procedures. You also need to complete a practical exam approved by the state licensing board. Some states have additional licensing requirements. You may need to get a certificate in first aid or CPR.
Residency training for dental specialties
Dentistry offers many different career opportunities in a diversity of settings and fields. A dentist could start off in public health, move on into private practice, and end up in academics.
Apart from becoming a family dentist, there are many specialties in dentistry, such as pediatric dentistry or oral and maxillofacial surgery. Specialties require residency training. Residencies can take two to three years, but some are as long as six years. Some pay students during training while others don’t.
Apply for positions
You may decide to go for a position in a dental office, hospital or clinic. On the other hand, you may decide to open your own practice. Hopefully, you have begun building your network while studying and doing training. When looking for a position, it helps to consult your network of professionals and see if they know of opportunities you can pursue.
Conclusion
The road to becoming a dentist is a long and challenging one. It helps to start preparing for it early on. You can start acquiring the knowledge and skills you need before you even go to college. At college, you can do any bachelor's degree that gives you a foundation and then apply to dental school. After four years of dental school, you will be ready to start applying for positions. You can also decide to do a residency and pursue a specialty which will take you another few years.