Dentist Education
Dental healthcare is an important and growing field in the U.S. today. Dentists are in demand now more than ever. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the employment of dentists is projected to grow by 16% through 2018. This rate is faster than average and job prospects are good. It important that dentists get a good dentist education.
As the population grows and ages, the elderly is the segment of the population that will grow quickest. The need for complex dental work by the baby boomers will be high. People, as they age, are more likely to keep their teeth than generations in the past. All these factors are making the demand for people who have a dentist education more in demand than ever before.
Dentist education requirements include a total of eight years of schooling after high school. In high school it is advisable to take as many science and math courses as possible. This is good preparation for college. A four year undergraduate degree from an accredited university is the next step in preparation for dental school. There is no requirement for the type of bachelor’s degree required to qualify for dental school. The best preparation for a dentist education is to take science and math courses and have some type of related degree in either field before entering dental school. The Dental Admissions Test, which we will discuss in greater detail later, concentrates on the sciences so it is a good idea to take as many biology and chemistry courses as possible as an undergraduate to meet dentist education requirements. Four years of dental school follow.
Dental School Preparation
When seeking a dentist education, the American Dental Association (ADA) approves a list of dental schools that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Research the options these accredited schools offer and pick the one that is best suited. There are approximately 50 dental schools in the United States today.
Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) which is a key dentist requirement to pass. There is a fee and an application to complete to take the DAT. There are practice tests available online to prepare for the exam. The DAT consists of multiple choice questions that span across four tests: the Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry), Perceptual Ability Test, Reading Comprehension Test and the Quantitative Reasoning Test. Test scores will weigh heavily in the acceptance of the applicant to schools that offer dental education.
Dentist requirements additionally include a review of their academic qualifications from their undergraduate university such as their GPA and letters of recommendation. Dental schools will typically interview the candidates face to face to assess qualities about the person. This is also a good opportunity for the candidate to ask questions about that particular dental school to see if it is a good fit for them as well.
Financing a dentist education is typically accomplished with student loans. The ADA has scholarships available. There are also a number of federally funded scholarships that students can qualify for. It is important to do the research to see what scholarships are available and apply for them. Student loans can then make up the difference.
Once accepted to dental school, dentist requirements include a total of four years of instruction. First, two years of classroom and laboratory classes and the last two years are spent in a clinical setting under the supervision of licensed, experienced dentists.
Upon graduation, after all dentist education requirements have been met, dentists enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling career. Dentists enjoy the satisfaction of being in service to others, assisting them in their oral health, which improves both their appearance and quality of life. Dentists are not limited to just practicing dentistry as there are many opportunities for dental school graduates to be involved in technology and research. Dentists assist in the detection of diseases and cancers. Dentists enjoy the advantage of being self-employed and controlling their practices and careers.
