A dentist career is highly regarded in the U.S. It is usually placed in the top career options along with several of its specializations, particularly the oral surgeon, prosthodontist, and orthodontist. As the population ages, the demand for dentists increases because older people will need more maintenance and dental care.
Aside from this, dentists can readily start their practice and be their own boss. As a bonus, dentists also earn high salaries, ranging from about $150,000 to $210,000. Dental specialists like oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists earn the highest, though other factors such as location and experience could affect how much you can earn in your practice. However, becoming a dentist in the United States takes about eight years of education.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation and the American Dental Association, or ADA, should also recognize the school. But considering the high competition among student applicants, it could be tough to get into the top dental schools. Next to dental school is the need to pass or complete state licensure exams, usually divided into written and clinical components. The clinical component usually involves working with an actual patient.
Students also have to decide whether they want to specialize or continue as general dentists. The ADA recognizes the specializations in dental anesthesiology, dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, periodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, and pediatric Dentistry. Specializing in one of these fields would require two additional years of study. To delve more into your journey to become a dentist in the United States, here are the five steps to guide you:
How to Become a Dentist in the United States
Step 1. Complete the Dental School Prerequisites
Before applying for dental school, students should take as many science and pre-dental classes in college and excel in these subjects as possible, as this helps prepare them for succeeding courses. The prerequisites include at least 8 hours of lecture and laboratory classes in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Completing a dental school prerequisite is a necessary step to becoming a dentist in the U.S. That said, choosing an undergraduate course related to health or the sciences would be best.
Though not required, joining the American Student Dental Association, which provides advice and publications for aspiring dentists, would also be a good idea. This method will also enable you to meet dental professionals and mentors who could help you gain knowledge, tips, and resources.
Step 2. Take and Pass the Dental Admission Test
Next on the list for becoming a dentist in the US is to complete and pass the DAT or Dental Admission Test, an entrance examination for dental school applicants. It consists of multiple-choice questions in these four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.
Students are asked to take the DAT in the spring of their junior year of undergraduate study or the summer between their junior and senior years. Applications should be submitted 60-90 days before the exam’s target date.
Step 3. Prepare and Apply to Dental Schools
After passing the DAT, the next step to becoming a dentist in the U.S. is to choose your preferred dental school and list the requirements. Students can get hands-on experiences at their own school. You can apply to as many as possible, increasing your chances of getting into one. One should first enroll in either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), which could be attained in one of the United States-accredited dental schools.
The country has over 60 dental schools, including the University of Michigan. This institution has several affiliated clinics that could give students opportunities for clinical practice and experiences. Another school to consider is the Adam School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, which offers clinical experience in 50 rotation sites in the state. Harvard University is also one of the top dentistry schools in the United States. In addition to being an Ivy League school, it has its own Harvard Dental Center, which accommodates about 25,000 patients annually.
4. Get Involved in the Dentistry Community
Once you’ve gotten into your desired dental school, the next step to becoming a dentist in the U.S. includes the dentistry community. You should maximize your learning opportunities and experiences. In addition to doing well at lectures and exams, you should get involved and explore engagement opportunities like volunteering at health clinics and student organizations.
That way, you can gain valuable experience, giving you an advantage over other students. This method can also help you better understand a dentist’s setting and actual work. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to meet new people and expand your network in the field.
5. Take the Licensure Exam
All dental students need to complete and pass the licensure exam before working as full-fledged dentists. After completing your DMD or DDS degrees, you should pass Parts 1 and 2 of the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE). The Joint Commission administers these two parts of the national dental examinations. Most students take the first part of the exam during their last two years of dental school and get support or help from their programs.
On the other hand, the second part of the licensure exam is the clinical examination, which is taken after dental school and involves examining an actual patient. Licensure requirements, however, vary per state, so it is best to contact your state dental board.
Getting these steps covered to be a dentist would be a long and challenging journey, but one that could surely provide you with a meaningful career. Moreover, being able to help patients with their dental issues can be rewarding with the high salary opportunities it offers you as a dentist! So, be prepared to pursue a career in this field and become a full-fledged dentist in the future!
We hope this article on how to become a dentist in the United States was helpful. To learn more information on studying in the country, make sure to check out the Study in the USA and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA sections!
