Mon - Fri: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Contact Info

50% Off

5 Years Warranty

Pricing Plans

© Temple Tx Dental 2023, All Rights Reserved.

Duration To Become a Dentist

Duration To Become a Dentist

Dentists near you assist patients in addressing dental issues, relieving tooth pain, providing guidance on maintaining dental cleaning and excellent dental hygiene and improving their smiles. If these responsibilities seem like a worthwhile career path, consider pursuing a position in the sector.

You might question duration to become a dentist. This article discusses the steps you must follow to begin your dental profession and how long it normally takes from enrolling in college to applying for licensure.

How To Be A Dentist? Duration To Become a Dentist



You must hold a license to become a dentist. Obtaining licensure requires multiple processes.

The educational requirements to Become a Dentist include a four-year bachelor's degree and a four-year dentistry school degree. Most dentists spend eight years completing these requirements and earning both degrees. Some colleges offer advanced degrees, allowing students to graduate in six or seven years. completing a specialization may extend this period.

The next sections will go over the stages of becoming a dentist. Each state's dental board decides its license criteria, so research the guidelines in the state where you intend to practice.

Stage One: Get a Bachelor's Degree.



Most dental schools need a bachelor's degree before enrollment and become a dentist. Though dental schools do not normally require candidates to pursue certain majors, obtaining a degree in a science field such as chemistry or biology might assist in guaranteeing that you finish the necessary courses. Some colleges provide a pre-dental plan of study that students can follow alongside their major to ensure they attend necessary subjects like anatomy and microbiology.

Students normally complete a bachelor's degree in four years, while those with previous credits or enrolled in accelerated programs may finish sooner.

Stage 2: Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).



To enrol in dentistry school and become a dentist, you must first pass the DAT. The DAT is a multiple-choice test that evaluates your natural scientific knowledge, mathematical reasoning, perceptive skills, and reading comprehension.

Stage 3: Get a Dentistry Degree.



To become a dentist, you must first earn a professional degree. Some dental colleges provide doctor of dental surgery degrees, while others lead to a doctor of dental medicine degree. These certificates have the same educational requirements. Licensing boards accept both degrees.

Dental programs usually involve classroom and laboratory education, hands-on experience with models and mannequins, patient care under faculty supervision, and practice management courses. Most states require students to acquire their dentistry degree from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited institution.

Stage 4: Take an Internship.



Completing an internship clinical or field experience is an excellent method to prepare for a dental profession. These possibilities include training in laboratory research and other areas of interest in the dentistry field. Internships are useful if you intend to work in a particular field of dentistry.

Stage 5: Pass a Clinical Exam.



In the majority of states, after meeting educational criteria and passing written exams, you must also pass a clinical test. Clinical exams may be conducted throughout your final year of dentistry school or over two to three days, depending on your state's criteria.

Stage 6: Pass the Integrated National Board Dental Exam (INBDE®).



The INBDE is a two-day test that evaluates your clinical skills and fundamental knowledge to determine if you are qualified to operate as a dentist. The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations oversees this test. Results are valid across the United States.

Stage 7: Get Licensure



After you have completed your schooling and exam requirements, you can apply for licensure with your state's licensing board. The American Dental Association (ADA) keeps track of each jurisdiction's dental licensing board.

Stage 8: Select a Specialty (Optional)



If you want to work in a speciality like dentistry, orthodontics, or pediatric dentistry, you must first finish a residency to learn more about your chosen career path. These residencies normally last one to two years, while more complicated specialities may require a longer time. There are 12 certifying boards for dental specialities, and each has its certification standards.

Dentist Salaries and Job Prospects



According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual compensation for dentists in 2022 was $159,530. However, median incomes differ by speciality and location: for example, in that same year, oral and maxillofacial surgeons received an average yearly salary of $239,200 or more, whilst orthodontists earned a median compensation of $174,360.

In 2022, dental professionals in offices received a median annual pay of $159,530, while those in government employment had an average salary of $190,400.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that dental employment will increase by 4% between 2022 and 2032. This rise is in line with the average growth prediction for all jobs so if you become a dentist you will get these perks.

Leave A Comment