Dentists educate people about oral health, identify causes of dental pain, create treatment plans, and examine teeth and oral development. Aspiring dentists gain the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent, diagnose, and treat dental conditions and oral health problems.
Career paths for dentistry graduates include private dental practice, work in hospitals, local government units, companies, academe, research, dental pharmaceutical companies, allied-industry consulting, and entrepreneurship.
In the Philippines, students usually complete a six-year Doctor of Dental Medicine program, finish clinical training, and pass the licensure examination before practicing as dentists. If you are interested in studying dentistry in the country, these six steps give you an overview of what students commonly need to do and how long it can take to become a dentist in the Philippines.
How to Become a Dentist in the Philippines
Step 1. Successfully Pass the Qualifying Examination and Interviews
Admissions requirements vary by school, but students must meet the admission requirements of their chosen dentistry program. Some schools may require additional assessments, such as a dexterity examination, interview, or psychological test. Dexterity examinations may evaluate manual dexterity and the ability to follow instructions, which are important skills in dentistry.
Step 2. Enroll in and Complete the Pre-dentistry Course
The next step to becoming a dentist in the Philippines is to begin the foundational part of the dentistry curriculum. Doctor of Dental Medicine programs are generally six-year programs. The early years typically include general education and basic health science courses, such as anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and related subjects.
These foundational courses prepare students for dental education, although admission to the early part of the curriculum does not always guarantee admission to later clinical or dentistry-proper requirements, depending on the school’s policies.
Step 3. Finish the Dental Medicine Proper Program
After completing the foundational years, students continue through the dental medicine curriculum. In the Philippines, the Doctor of Dental Medicine program is commonly structured as a six-year program that includes basic dental and medical sciences, clinical science, community dentistry, research, and related courses.
Students take subjects in medical and dental sciences before progressing to more advanced clinical, hospital, and community dentistry training. Institutions offering dentistry programs in the Philippines include the University of the East, the University of the Philippines Manila, and Centro Escolar University.
Step 4. Complete Clinical Training
Clinical training is a major part of becoming a dentist in the Philippines. Students first complete laboratory and preclinical coursework, then move on to supervised clinical practice. At the University of the Philippines Manila College of Dentistry, for example, clinical practice and field practice rotations begin in Year Level 5.
During clinical training, students learn to manage patients and perform dental procedures under supervision. They must demonstrate competence in patient management, treatment planning, and appropriate clinical procedures to complete the Doctor of Dental Medicine program.
Step 5. Achieve a Passing Score on the Board Exam
After completing the Doctor of Dental Medicine program, graduates must pass the Dentists Licensure Examination administered through the Professional Regulation Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry. The examination has written and practical phases.
The written phase covers subjects such as general and oral anatomy and physiology, general and oral pathology, microscopic anatomy, embryology, microbiology, restorative dentistry, community dentistry, public health, prosthodontics, oral diagnosis, oral surgery, anesthesiology, pharmacology, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, dental jurisprudence and ethics, practice management, periodontics, and endodontics. The practical phase includes hands-on exercises such as restorative dentistry, fixed partial denture preparation, removable partial denture design, and complete denture exercises.
Applicants should always check the PRC’s current list of requirements before applying. For first-time dentistry examinees, the PRC currently lists requirements such as a PSA birth certificate, PSA marriage contract or certificate for married female applicants, a transcript of records with the required board-exam remarks, and valid NBI clearance.
Step 6. Select a Specialized Field of Study
Specialization is an optional step after becoming a licensed dentist. Dentists who want to focus on a particular area may pursue further training in fields such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, or oral surgery. Orthodontics focuses on correcting malpositioned teeth and related dentofacial concerns. Pediatric dentistry focuses on oral health care for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs. Endodontics focuses on conditions involving the inside of the tooth, including root canal-related treatment.
The University of the East offers three-year Master of Science in Dentistry programs with specialty programs in prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, and endodontics. The University of the Philippines Manila offers a Master of Science in Dentistry in Orthodontics. Continuing education opportunities may also be available through universities and professional organizations.
FAQs: How to Become a Dentist in the Philippines
How Does One Become a Dentist in the Philippines?
Students can become dentists in the Philippines by completing a Doctor of Dental Medicine program and passing the Dentists Licensure Examination. The DMD program is commonly a straight six-year program that includes foundational courses, dental and medical sciences, clinical science, community dentistry, and supervised clinical training.
Students who first complete another bachelor’s degree, shift programs, transfer schools, or experience delays in clinical requirements may take longer. Bachelor’s degree holders may apply to dentistry programs if they meet the school’s specific admission requirements, which may include grade requirements, interviews, and dexterity examinations.
There are numerous opportunities for international students to study in the Philippines, and this location should be within the scope of many students. Don’t forget to check the best universities in the Philippines to get started on your studies. While you’re at it, make sure to check what you must do to secure a work visa.
We hope you found this article about the steps to becoming a dentist in the Philippines insightful. To learn more about studying abroad opportunities, visit the Philippines Page and some of the Available Programs for International Students.
