A dentist is a qualified professional who helps people to achieve their dental health goals. They are also known as dental surgeons and are supported by a team of dental assistants, hygienists, technicians, and therapists. The dentist’s main role is to prevent dental disease and promote dental health.
Dental schools
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in dentistry, dental schools may be a good option for you. In order to qualify for admission, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree and earn excellent grades. Recent admissions to dental schools had average GPAs around 3.5 and had good DAT scores. In addition, having a letter from the prehealth committee at your university is a big plus.
Most states require dentists to maintain a certain amount of knowledge and competence in dentistry. In addition to passing a national exam, dentists must also pass a state-mandated written exam and clinical examination. They must also pass a “jurisprudence” examination, which tests their knowledge of the laws governing dental practice in the state.
Students in dental schools learn how to care for a wide range of patient populations. They may interact with patients for basic oral care, or perform procedures on models of the teeth and mouth. The last two years of school are devoted to clinical studies, during which students learn to care for patients of all ages, including elderly, chronically ill, disabled, and special care patients.
Education required to become a dentist
The education required to become a dentist varies by country. In the US, the DDS degree (Doctor of Dental Surgery) is required. In the Whites Dental Care UK, students begin clinical training in their second year, and work in community and teaching hospitals. There are additional educational requirements for specialization.
Depending on the specialty you choose, dental school can take four or six years to complete. After graduation, you must pass several examinations to become licensed. In addition to the licensing exams, many dentists pursue postgraduate studies or specialize in one field. After getting your DDS, you can choose to work in a general practice or a specialty.
Most dental schools offer four-year degree programs. Graduates earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). These two degrees are equivalent and must be obtained from an accredited dental school. According to the American Dental Association, there are 65 accredited dental schools in the U.S.
Career outlook for dentists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall job outlook for dentists is bright. The occupation is expected to grow by 19% per year through 2026. This is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Job growth in dentistry will be driven by several factors, including an aging population and the continued link between oral health and overall health. This increased demand for dentists will create more opportunities for dentists and help create a stronger job market.
The profession requires extensive training and education. Those who wish to become dentists should consider minoring in other fields, such as microbiology, cell biology, or neurobiology, as these disciplines are often related to the field of dentistry. Molecular biology, for instance, is an integral part of dentistry, as it helps dentists better understand diseases, and how cells work together. Since oral health is critical to systemic health, this field is growing in popularity.