Steps To Becoming a General Dentist

Tasnia Hakim
Oct 26, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Oct 31, 2021

Writer: Henry Jansky

If you’re currently a high school student wanting to get a head start on becoming a general dentist, it is good to understand that it’s not easy. A lot of work and responsibility is required to carry out this goal. Here are some structural tips to help you become a general dentist throughout your academic career...

What classes should you take in high school to further develop your interest in dentistry?

A beginning step is through your high school courses, it is advisable to take plenty of science and math courses since being a dentist plays a role in medical health and links to courses like biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physical science.

To get a more broad understanding, you can take AP classes since they are structured like college classes, allowing you can get the feel of what you’re planning yourself out for. Here are some courses that are taken in high school to help prepare you.Similarly, you can take advantage of opportunities and volunteer at a dental clinic to get a close-up view of the daily life of a dentist. Can you see yourself doing those years from now? This is a question that you should be asking yourself throughout your time.

AP Calculus AB/BC
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP Environmental Science
Trigonometry
Algebra
Geometry
Pre-Calculus
Earth Science
Marine Biology
Geology
Forensic Science
Astronomy

How can you prepare yourself for dental school while in college?

It is good to understand that college is no different from high school, you will still be taking tests, quizzes, homework, etc. So you should be pretty aware of what you’re getting yourself into. While in college, take as many science-oriented courses as possible; these include biology, chemistry, physics. Some of these will be prerequisites that you will need to pass the standards to be accepted into dental school.

Similarly, extracurriculars are important. Apply to become a member of the American Student Dental Association; it’s very useful and provides useful tips and assistance that you will need to guide your future. You can take advantage of opportunities and volunteer at a dental clinic to get a close-up view of the daily life of a dentist. Can you see yourself doing those years from now? This is a question that you should be asking yourself throughout your time.

It’s a MUST that you take the “DAT” (Dental Admission Test) by the spring of the junior year. This exam is a very important factor in your admissions process. The following list is a summary of major academic standards that are often required to be completed by the senior year before applying to dental school.

Eight hours of Biology with lab
Eight Hours Of Physics
Eight Hours of English
Eight Hours of General Chemistry with lab
Eight Hours of Organic Chemistry with the lab.

What to expect once you are accepted into a Dental School?

Getting an idea of what you will experience in Dental school will prepare you. The first two years will be comprised of a mixture of lab work and classroom work. You will get attend fundamental sciences courses such as Anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology to get you suited for the few years. Additionally, during labs, you will be learning the basics of examining a patient. The last two years will involve both clinical work and research. You will learn to take care of a variety of patients to have a solid backbone on how to deal-specific situations

What opportunities and programs should you assimilate into after Dental School?

Congratulations! you’re a dentist! Once you’re out of Dental School, you’re on your own for the most part. Personalize your accomplishments in dental school on a CV to have a scholarly edge. You have the option to amplify your general dentistry skills by attending General Practice Residency, as a post-graduate program or taking the route to do advanced education in dentistry programs. These are both wonderful ways to kick off your career. Talk with previous teachers on private job opportunities, communicate with local dentists to get a good grasp of what the next few steps are. You’ve strived for years to become a dentist and that time is now, take these opportunities and apply it. Good luck!

Sources:

Board, College. "Career: Dentist." Career:Dentist, CollegeBoard,

bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/health-diagnosis-treatment-dentists.

Accessed 29 Sept. 2020

Muniz, Hannah. "13 Steps to Becoming a Dentist." 13 steps to becoming a dentist,

PrepScholar, 9 Nov. 2019, blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-become-a-dentist.

Accessed 29 Sept. 2020.

Premeds, Global. "How Dental School Works: A year by year guide." How Dental School

Works: A year by year guide, globalpremeds.org, 6 Nov. 2014,

www.globalpremeds.com/blog/2014/11/06/

how-dental-school-works-a-year-by-year-guide/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2020.

Heron, Elizabeth. "Finding a Job Coming out of Dental School." Finding a Job