How long does it take to become a dentist?

How long does it take to become a dentist?

• Answer:

  You have to have a basic degree first which is typically 4 years but some dental schools will except you with only 90 credits roughly 30 credits away from a BA or one year away. And also, the other 30 credits have to be from a university since I don't believe there are any community colleges which give more then a AA degree. It takes six years to become a dentist. I am an orthodontist. To be an orthodontist one needs to become a dentist first. To get into dental school you need 2-4 years of college. Most people get into dental school with 4 years of college. You need to get good grades in certain required courses. These are generally in biology, math, chemistry and physics the particulars vary from one dental school to another. There will be a pre-dental advisor at most universities or colleges to guide you. A few students can get in dental school with 3 years of college; the grades have to be very good. Grades are not the only thing, they are looking for good character too. I know dentists who got into dental school with a 2.0 (rare, but it has happened) Sometimes the 2.0 student will be a better dentist than the 4.0 student. Most dental schools are 4 years, a few are 3. About half of the orthodontic schools are 2 years and the rest are 3 years. it takes 4 years of undergraduate education (usually, it can take 2-3 if you have exceptional credentials) and then 3-4 years in dental school (depending on a particular schools curriculum). At which point, you can practice general dentistry or choose to enter a specialty, which requires post-graduate education (which can last anywhere from 2-6 years). However, only 17 out of 50 states require a specialty license in order to limit your practice to one of the various specialties. Meaning, you can practice a specialty in 33 states without having been licensed in that specialty (you just can't market yourself as a specialist ,but you can perform those treatments). Sorry, I'm trying not to be confusing but at the same time make people aware of the possibilities. I hope that i have sparked your curiosity enough to research career specific inquiries. Eight years of college and dental school studies are usually necessary for a degree of Doctor of Dental surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). However, with high grades and test scores it is possible to jump ahead and enter dentistry school after completion of your 2yr pre med. 30 credits to 90 credits in college is enough to get into a good college in which teaches you how to become a dentist. It can take up to eight years of university after high school is completed to become a dentist. If you'd like to become a specialized dentist, for instance an orthodontist, it will take an additional two years. Oral surgery tacks on another two, for a total of twelve.