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What is the ideal route to becoming a dentist?
I want to be a dentist and I was wondering what the ideal path take is. High school classes and extracurriculars/internships. Ideal major.
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Doc’s Answer
Jayden if you know you want to be a dentist, there are things you can do, even in high school to help you prepare to become a dentist.
SHADOW A DENTIST
Shadowing is when you go in and watch a dentist work. Try to get a job working for a dentist or volunteer, even if it is just for a few hours a week. If you suggest this to a dentist, most of them will be willing to let you come in and shadow. This is a great opportunity for you to feel and learn about the environment and learn if it is right for you. Try to watch what the dentist does. See how he/she gives shots, works with people, fill cavities, etc… Try to imagine if it something you can see yourself doing. If you are lucky, the dentist will show you around his practice and let you see everything. Just get a feel for it and decide if it is something you want to do.
DELVE INTO SCIENCE
Jayden there isn’t really such a thing as a “pre-dentistry” college major. Instead you should be taking high-level high school science courses to prepare for college. Classes like IB, AP, or honors Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are a great start. Classes like these will not only strengthen your application to college but are related to questions on the Dental Admissions Test or DAT.
IMPROVE YOUR MOTOR SKILLS
In order to perform dental procedures, a dentist must be able to work with precision on an extremely small scale. This requires exceptional hand-eye coordination to ensure the safety of patients and proficiency in the use of many different instruments.These hand and perceptual skills are essential for dental practice because you will need to construct mental images of teeth from X-rays, create and manipulate casts and fillings, and evaluate complicated 2D and 3D objects. And most dental school admissions staff will ask you to discuss how you have developed and practiced your hand skills in everyday life.
EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAMS
Some dental schools have early acceptance programs. By performing well in high school you can become accepted into one of these programs. Start looking into these programs early, you will need a few credit hours and some planning to apply. San Antonio will only let you apply if you have between 12 and 30 college credit hours. So make sure you look into it early and fit in your schools window. In an early acceptance program you start college knowing that you will finish your college in the dental school. You do the first three years of college at a University participating in the program, and the forth year in dental school. So instead of eight years you only need seven, and you get a dental degree and a bachelors degree from the dental school. Also, once you are in the program if you meet a minimum GPA requirement you are guaranteed a seat in the school.
SHADOW A DENTIST
Shadowing is when you go in and watch a dentist work. Try to get a job working for a dentist or volunteer, even if it is just for a few hours a week. If you suggest this to a dentist, most of them will be willing to let you come in and shadow. This is a great opportunity for you to feel and learn about the environment and learn if it is right for you. Try to watch what the dentist does. See how he/she gives shots, works with people, fill cavities, etc… Try to imagine if it something you can see yourself doing. If you are lucky, the dentist will show you around his practice and let you see everything. Just get a feel for it and decide if it is something you want to do.
DELVE INTO SCIENCE
Jayden there isn’t really such a thing as a “pre-dentistry” college major. Instead you should be taking high-level high school science courses to prepare for college. Classes like IB, AP, or honors Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are a great start. Classes like these will not only strengthen your application to college but are related to questions on the Dental Admissions Test or DAT.
IMPROVE YOUR MOTOR SKILLS
In order to perform dental procedures, a dentist must be able to work with precision on an extremely small scale. This requires exceptional hand-eye coordination to ensure the safety of patients and proficiency in the use of many different instruments.These hand and perceptual skills are essential for dental practice because you will need to construct mental images of teeth from X-rays, create and manipulate casts and fillings, and evaluate complicated 2D and 3D objects. And most dental school admissions staff will ask you to discuss how you have developed and practiced your hand skills in everyday life.
EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAMS
Some dental schools have early acceptance programs. By performing well in high school you can become accepted into one of these programs. Start looking into these programs early, you will need a few credit hours and some planning to apply. San Antonio will only let you apply if you have between 12 and 30 college credit hours. So make sure you look into it early and fit in your schools window. In an early acceptance program you start college knowing that you will finish your college in the dental school. You do the first three years of college at a University participating in the program, and the forth year in dental school. So instead of eight years you only need seven, and you get a dental degree and a bachelors degree from the dental school. Also, once you are in the program if you meet a minimum GPA requirement you are guaranteed a seat in the school.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Jayden !
I am happy to know that you are interested in becoming a dentist as a future career ! You will take a unique path, at least the details will be special to your locale in San Francisco as well as your personal circumstances and preference.
High School will prepare you for your four year college. You will learn how to be a dentist in Dental School. Some things you can do now to familiarize yourself with the dental profession as well as gaining knowledge would be to do volunteer work for the California Dental Association and the San Francisco Dental Society. You also could inquire about volunteer opportunities at the San Francisco Department of Public Health because they offer dental services and you may be able to participate in activities or assist with free services they offer. You would not be able to work with patients just yet, however being around these departments and activities will familiarize you with the duties.
In high school, you may want to take classes in biology, anatomy and chemistry to prepare you for your four years at college. By taking these courses in high school, you will be able to discover which one you like best and then can choose which science to Major in at college. Dental schools accept Bachelors Degrees in any subject, however, you'll have a heads up and a stronger application if you obtain your Bachelors Degree in one of the human sciences. Extracurriculars and volunteer work related to or not related to dentistry will be a big plus for college as well as Dental school. You don't need to Shadow because that is for people who aren't sure about the career and you seem certain that it is your calling. Plus, shadowing is a privacy barrier for the patient, so I would say go straight to volunteer work.
Start looking at universities for your Bachelors degree, too. The CSUS and UC's are fine and most colleges offer majors in human sciences like the ones I previously mentioned. Internships are normally provided for students in their junior and senior years of college or after they graduate college, but you'll be going to Dental School after you graduate. Once you select a college and a major, ask the representative if Internships are given for your junior or senior college years for your major.
There are three main colleges that you may want to look into now. They are the University of the Pacific which offers a Pre-Dental major (but do NOT take the quickie accelerated program - take the regular four year program), Benedictine College which has a strong program in science to get you ready for the rigors of dental school and University of California-San Francisco where you can major in a human science and continue there at the same school for Dental School. You can check these schools out by registering for orientations so you can get more information and a feel for the campuses.
So, the ideal path for you personally will be one that you choose after becoming well-informed. Read the college websites and their science majors and also look for videos of the colleges on You Tube. Many colleges have introductory videos of the campus and programs. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
I am happy to know that you are interested in becoming a dentist as a future career ! You will take a unique path, at least the details will be special to your locale in San Francisco as well as your personal circumstances and preference.
High School will prepare you for your four year college. You will learn how to be a dentist in Dental School. Some things you can do now to familiarize yourself with the dental profession as well as gaining knowledge would be to do volunteer work for the California Dental Association and the San Francisco Dental Society. You also could inquire about volunteer opportunities at the San Francisco Department of Public Health because they offer dental services and you may be able to participate in activities or assist with free services they offer. You would not be able to work with patients just yet, however being around these departments and activities will familiarize you with the duties.
In high school, you may want to take classes in biology, anatomy and chemistry to prepare you for your four years at college. By taking these courses in high school, you will be able to discover which one you like best and then can choose which science to Major in at college. Dental schools accept Bachelors Degrees in any subject, however, you'll have a heads up and a stronger application if you obtain your Bachelors Degree in one of the human sciences. Extracurriculars and volunteer work related to or not related to dentistry will be a big plus for college as well as Dental school. You don't need to Shadow because that is for people who aren't sure about the career and you seem certain that it is your calling. Plus, shadowing is a privacy barrier for the patient, so I would say go straight to volunteer work.
Start looking at universities for your Bachelors degree, too. The CSUS and UC's are fine and most colleges offer majors in human sciences like the ones I previously mentioned. Internships are normally provided for students in their junior and senior years of college or after they graduate college, but you'll be going to Dental School after you graduate. Once you select a college and a major, ask the representative if Internships are given for your junior or senior college years for your major.
There are three main colleges that you may want to look into now. They are the University of the Pacific which offers a Pre-Dental major (but do NOT take the quickie accelerated program - take the regular four year program), Benedictine College which has a strong program in science to get you ready for the rigors of dental school and University of California-San Francisco where you can major in a human science and continue there at the same school for Dental School. You can check these schools out by registering for orientations so you can get more information and a feel for the campuses.
So, the ideal path for you personally will be one that you choose after becoming well-informed. Read the college websites and their science majors and also look for videos of the colleges on You Tube. Many colleges have introductory videos of the campus and programs. I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Majabin’s Answer
If you want to be a dentist, that’s a great goal! Here’s the best way to get there:
High School
• Take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (AP or Honors if you can).
• Join health-related clubs like HOSA or any science club.
• Get experience by shadowing a dentist or volunteering at a clinic.
• Try to take on leadership roles in clubs or activities.
College (Bachelor’s Degree – 4 Years)
• Pick a major in Biology, Chemistry, or something similar (but any major is okay as long as you take the required science classes).
• Keep a high GPA (aim for 3.5 or higher).
• Take required courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry.
• Get involved in pre-dental clubs, research, and volunteering.
• Shadow dentists and gain clinical experience.
• Prepare for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and take it by junior year.
Dental School (4 Years)
• The first two years are mostly classroom learning, and the last two are hands-on training with real patients.
• If you want to specialize (like orthodontics), you’ll need extra training after dental school.
• Pass the National Board Dental Exams (NBDE) and get your license to practice.
Extras That Help
• Stay involved in extracurriculars and leadership activities.
• Find a mentor in the field to guide you.
• Keep a good balance between studying and taking care of yourself!
It’s a long journey, but if you’re passionate about it, it won’t feel like work. Just take it step by step, and you’ll get there! Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to help.
High School
• Take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (AP or Honors if you can).
• Join health-related clubs like HOSA or any science club.
• Get experience by shadowing a dentist or volunteering at a clinic.
• Try to take on leadership roles in clubs or activities.
College (Bachelor’s Degree – 4 Years)
• Pick a major in Biology, Chemistry, or something similar (but any major is okay as long as you take the required science classes).
• Keep a high GPA (aim for 3.5 or higher).
• Take required courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry.
• Get involved in pre-dental clubs, research, and volunteering.
• Shadow dentists and gain clinical experience.
• Prepare for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and take it by junior year.
Dental School (4 Years)
• The first two years are mostly classroom learning, and the last two are hands-on training with real patients.
• If you want to specialize (like orthodontics), you’ll need extra training after dental school.
• Pass the National Board Dental Exams (NBDE) and get your license to practice.
Extras That Help
• Stay involved in extracurriculars and leadership activities.
• Find a mentor in the field to guide you.
• Keep a good balance between studying and taking care of yourself!
It’s a long journey, but if you’re passionate about it, it won’t feel like work. Just take it step by step, and you’ll get there! Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to help.
Michael Cadra, MD, DMD, FACS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
37
Answers
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I like Doc's answer the best so far. I take issue with the advice that you not consider a "quicky" program at Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific. Dugoni offers three programs that highly motivated high school students can apply to. There are the 2+3, 3+3 and 4+3 programs. The program offered the candidate is based on academic performance, validated by SAT or ACT scores and an intensive interview process. The 3+3 program does allow for a bachelors after the first year of dental school.
As a former adjunct faculty member and previous FT Interim Chair and Program Director of the program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, I have mentored a number of students through high school and the application process. I have seen the accelerated students excel in their dental studies with most graduating near the top of the class. Many have gone on to residencies in orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery. I am sure that there are others that I don't know about that went to other residencies.
If you know your career goals, there is no reason to extend the educational process. You can avoid 2-3 years of tuition and enter the profession at an earlier age. Assuming that you retire at the normal age, the additional years can be fruitful during the most productive years of your life.
Look at the credentials of anyone that you are taking advice from. For instance if you wish to check my licensure as a physician and a dentist, you may check, mbc.ca.gov and bc.ca.gov. Use the license look up feature and see my licensure status.
Do not trust all info that is AI generated, the above answers perpetuate many fallacies. For instance, a 4 year bachelors degree is most common but not required. The NBDE is not the final licensure step, there are clinical regional boards that must be passed.
Consider looking at the AAMC website for the true, up to date educational standards for admission. A science degree can be helpful, but there are specific science course that can be completed with any major.
More poor information: UCSF does not offer any undergraduate/bachelors degrees. It is unique among UC schools in that all programs are graduate health science related.
Shadowing is for all applicants, various schools have different requirements with some requiring up to 120 hours of documented observation. Even if you "know" that you want to be a dentist, ideas can change after you shadow a bit.
As a former adjunct faculty member and previous FT Interim Chair and Program Director of the program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, I have mentored a number of students through high school and the application process. I have seen the accelerated students excel in their dental studies with most graduating near the top of the class. Many have gone on to residencies in orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery. I am sure that there are others that I don't know about that went to other residencies.
If you know your career goals, there is no reason to extend the educational process. You can avoid 2-3 years of tuition and enter the profession at an earlier age. Assuming that you retire at the normal age, the additional years can be fruitful during the most productive years of your life.
Michael recommends the following next steps: