How Many Years Does It Takes To Be A Dentist
Becoming a dentist as a career is one of the toughest profession and a very competitive one. Most of the people who are considering to study dentistry don’t have that much idea about it, specially if how long does it take to become a certified dentist.
Is becoming a dentist something you’re considering? As with any career choice, we know there are questions that come along with this idea. For example, you may be wondering just how much schooling is required and how long it will take to become a dentist.
Before deciding on whether to pursue dentistry, it’s important to do a little soul searching. Becoming a Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) takes a lot of work, determination and money. At the same time, however, it can be very rewarding.
If dentistry is the path you want to take, then it’s time to start planning. Becoming a dentist requires a strict college curriculum, dental school and passing a licensing examination.
How many years of college does it take to become a dentist?
According to Purdue University, prospective oral providers are looking at a four-year bachelor’s degree program plus an additional four years of dental school. Most programs don’t require a specific major for undergraduate studies, but there are a variety of courses that are mandatory before moving on to dental school, including: biology, chemistry, physiology, anatomy, physics, psychology and more. Some schools even offer pre-dental programs that put you on track for heading off to dental school.
What happens after you complete your bachelor’s degree?
Once you’ve completed your undergraduate studies, the next step in becoming a dentist involves taking the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which is designed to evaluate your education and understanding and assess your fit for dental school.
The DAT will be important when you apply to one of the 66 dental school programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. While each school will have different admission requirements, most will consider your DAT results, as well as your Grade Point Average (GPA).
The American Dental Association recommends applying for dental school a year in advance of your start date, as the process can be rigorous and you need to find a good fit. Applications can be submitted through the American Dental Education Association’s American Dental Schools Application Service, which allows you to fill out one application for multiple schools.
After you finish dental school, you will be required to get your dental license from your state board in order to start practicing dentistry.
So how many years does it take to become a dentist? The answer is really up to you and the pace of the path that you choose, but you’re looking at roughly eight years to start. Comments or questions? Post them below.
If you are looking for the best dental clinic here in Tempe, Tempe Family Dentistry is the one that you’ve been looking for.