Dental School

Dental school can open the door to a career choice not only in dentistry but other related careers that are well respected and in demand. These professions can also allow the opportunity for one to be their own boss, and is personally rewarding. Pursuing a post-secondary education allows the development of a career in dentistry as a dentist, a hygienist, an assistant, or a lab technician. Although they may differ slightly in their prerequisites or actual requirements within their programs all dental schools in the United States and Canada are members of the American Dental Education Association and need to be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA.

If currently a high school student considering attending a dental school there are some things that can be started now in order to prepare for the future. First, talk to a guidance counselor and/or dentists in the area about a career in dentistry. While attending high school, make sure to take the college prep course of study including classes in math and sciences. Also begin to do homework and research dental schools to see what the acceptance requirements are for the particular one interested in. Be aware that admission into any of these requires the passing of The Dental Admission Test. This test has been conducted by the ADA since 1950. It is required that the student has completed at least one year of collegiate study prior to taking The Admission Test and it is usually taken about a year before entering. When deciding to begin applying, one available option is to submit an application form, including a personal essay, through the American Association of Application Services in this particular field which allows about 50 different educational facilities to receive the application. Or if the school interested in does not participate in this service, apply directly to the place of choice.

A degree in dentistry takes an average of 8 years to complete. For most dental schools, 4 years of undergraduate education have to be completed and a bachelor's degree is required prior to admission in to the dental school. After completing that level of education it takes four years to complete the degrees required to become a dentist. There are however some schools that only require two years of undergraduate studies prior to starting a program. Yet others offer combined programs where a student can earn their bachelor's degree and their DDS degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in a shorter period of time. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," (2 Timothy 2:15)

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