Dentist Career Guide: 6 Steps

By treating patients of all ages with regard to their oral health, dentists contribute significantly to their local communities. A career as a dentist can be enjoyable for you if you enjoy working with people and have an interest in science and healthcare. Knowing how to become a dentist will help you learn more about the profession and decide if it aligns with your interests, skills, and career objectives.  

What a dentist does, how to become one, what their compensation is, what their job outlook is, and frequently asked questions about this career path are all covered in this blog.

What does a dentist do?

A dentist is a medical professional who oversees all aspects of a person's oral hygiene. They're responsible for monitoring and treating any dental issues that may arise throughout a patient's everyday life. Their typical duties include:

• Cleaning teeth and gums
• Removing and filling damaged teeth and cavities
• Prescribing medicine to treat infections and oral diseases
• Using sealants and whitening agents to improve the look of teeth
• Giving patients anesthetic before dental procedures
• Taking X-rays of jaws, teeth and gums and diagnosing oral diseases
• Creating models for items such as dentures, partials and crowns
• Giving patients proper education about how diet and oral hygiene can affect teeth and gums
• Applying braces and other teeth correcting devices
  

How to become a dentist

Becoming a dentist requires extensive education and training to prepare you to provide for the oral health of patients effectively. Here are six steps you can take to become a dentist:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree

Dental schools require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree. Your degree can be in any field, but pursuing a bachelor's in a biological science major may help prepare you for the next step in your education. Courses in chemistry, physics and biology can be especially helpful, as you may use concepts from these disciplines in your career. Some students join a dental mentorship or dental school preparation program to establish foundational knowledge in the field.

2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required of students prior to attending dental school. Dental schools consider your score on this exam and other factors, such as your undergraduate grade point average and recommendation letters from instructors, managers or peers. Every dental school has its own DAT score requirements, so make sure you research programs you're interested in attending and their eligibility qualifications before you take the test.

3. Earn a dental degree

After you earn a bachelor's degree and take the DAT, you can apply to dental school. Dental school takes four years to complete and results in a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD). These degrees involve the same level of schooling and have a similar curriculum, so the difference between the two is primarily in their names. Students typically study in a classroom for the first two years of dental school. The last two years usually involve working in a clinical setting, which allows students to develop their practical knowledge and skills.

4. Become licensed

Each state requires candidates to hold a valid license to practice dentistry. The first step in receiving licensure is passing the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE), a two-part test that covers dental science, ethics and clinical procedures. Candidates also complete a practical exam through a program their state licensing board approves. Some states have additional licensing requirements, such as certification in CPR and first aid. They might also conduct a background check and an interview to ensure your suitability for the job.

5. Choose a specialization

There are several specializations beyond a general dentistry license. Specializations are focus areas dentists can pursue if they want to treat specific dental issues, such as periodontal disease, or patients within a certain demographic, such as children. You can choose a specialty based on the area of dentistry you find most appealing and that aligns with your knowledge and skills. Specializations usually require two- to six-year residencies, depending on the practice area.

6. Apply for positions

Once you've completed your education, achieved licensure and pursued a specialty area if desired, you're ready to begin your dentistry career. Some dentists choose to start their own practices, while others search for open positions in dental offices, clinics and hospitals. When you're looking for a job, consider consulting your professional network to see if your professional connections know about opportunities you can pursue.

Dentist salary and job outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for dentists may grow by approximately 8% between now and 2030, which is about the average growth rate for all occupations. The salary you may earn as a dentist depends on factors like your specialization, level of experience and the geographic location where you work. The national average salary for a dentist is $211,623 per year.

FAQs about becoming a dentist

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about pursuing a career as a dentist:

How hard is it to become a dentist?

The education and testing requirements for becoming a dentist can present challenges, but preparing adequately can help you prevent or minimize them. One way you can prepare for a rigorous dental school curriculum is by taking advanced science and math courses in high school and earning a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, anatomy or a related field. While exams like the DAT and NBDE cover some complex and challenging topics, taking a preparatory course, using online study materials and completing practice exams may help you earn high scores.

How long does it take to become a dentist?

Becoming a dentist takes several years, but the specific timeframe depends on your specialty. If you want to pursue a career as a general dentist, you can begin practicing after receiving a bachelor's degree, completing dental school and passing exams, which takes about eight years. Residencies for specialization take an additional two to six years, so if you want to work in a particular area of dentistry, you can expect your education and training to take 10 to 14 years.

What are the dental specialties I can pursue?

There are many specialties you can pursue in dentistry, such as those that focus on certain oral health issues or procedures. After completing dental school, you can choose a specialization program that fits your interests and your career goals. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes 10 dental specialties:

• Anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiologists provide patients with pain control during and after procedures.
• Public health: Public health dentists focus on the oral health resources of communities.
• Pediatrics: Pediatric dentists treat infants and children.
• Endodontics: Endodontists focus on conditions that affect the tooth's roots and pulp.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Oral surgeons perform surgeries in and around the mouth.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Oral radiologists use imaging equipment to diagnose oral health issues.
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Oral pathologists diagnose dental disease by examining the microorganisms that cause them.
• Orthodontics: Orthodontists help patients with the alignment of their teeth and jaws.
• Periodontics: Periodontists diagnose and treat diseases of the gums.
• Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists create and fit dental implants, dentures and other materials to replace missing or damaged teeth.

What are the benefits of a career in dentistry?

Dentists often find their careers rewarding for many reasons. The ability to help their patients maintain and improve their oral health is fulfilling for many dentists, who witness how their treatments affect the well-being and confidence of their patients. Dentists may also enjoy a pleasant work environment, a regular, full-time schedule with weekends and holidays off and a lucrative salary and benefits package.

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