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Can you become a dentist right after finishing dental school or is specialization needed ?
17 year old, high school senior, about to be in college for major in biology
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ifra !
After your first year of dental school, it will probably be easier for you to decide if you want to go for a specialty or not. So focus on your Biology Major for now and since you don't have to specialize, consider it, but it will be easier to consider during your time in dental school.
I am glad that Doctor Bornfeld mentioned the PGY-1 because they are a great thing ! Especially working in New York City. Right now, the only place that offers dental PGY-1 is NYU (maybe you'll be going to that dental school ?). It's not that you'll be involved in a specialty, more like that you will be exposed to orthodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, and dental anesthesiology. So it's like a beneficial enhancement to Dental School - PLUS, you get paid while doing it ! It's something you have to apply for, too. But, you never know what the requirements are going to be 7 years from now. You will have to check with your Dental School when you begin your study there 4 years from now to see what is required at that time.
Always remember that requirements may change and it's best to get the updated information once you enroll in Dental School. I wish you well !
After your first year of dental school, it will probably be easier for you to decide if you want to go for a specialty or not. So focus on your Biology Major for now and since you don't have to specialize, consider it, but it will be easier to consider during your time in dental school.
I am glad that Doctor Bornfeld mentioned the PGY-1 because they are a great thing ! Especially working in New York City. Right now, the only place that offers dental PGY-1 is NYU (maybe you'll be going to that dental school ?). It's not that you'll be involved in a specialty, more like that you will be exposed to orthodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, and dental anesthesiology. So it's like a beneficial enhancement to Dental School - PLUS, you get paid while doing it ! It's something you have to apply for, too. But, you never know what the requirements are going to be 7 years from now. You will have to check with your Dental School when you begin your study there 4 years from now to see what is required at that time.
Always remember that requirements may change and it's best to get the updated information once you enroll in Dental School. I wish you well !
Thank you so much this is very helpful 🥹💖
Ifra
Updated
Ankita’s Answer
After finishing dental school, you can become a general dentist without needing to specialize. Dental school provides the necessary training to become a licensed dentist, where you can work in various settings such as private practice, clinics, or hospitals. However, specialization in dentistry is an option if you want to focus on a specific area, like orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, or pediatric dentistry.
Specialization typically requires additional years of training, often 2-6 years, depending on the field. After completing dental school, if you choose to specialize, you would need to apply to a residency program in the area of your interest. Specialization allows you to gain advanced knowledge and skills, and it can open up more specific and sometimes higher-paying career opportunities.
So, in short: You don’t need to specialize to practice dentistry, but if you’re interested in a specific area, further education and training in that specialty would be required.
Specialization typically requires additional years of training, often 2-6 years, depending on the field. After completing dental school, if you choose to specialize, you would need to apply to a residency program in the area of your interest. Specialization allows you to gain advanced knowledge and skills, and it can open up more specific and sometimes higher-paying career opportunities.
So, in short: You don’t need to specialize to practice dentistry, but if you’re interested in a specific area, further education and training in that specialty would be required.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Ifra
Updated
Steven’s Answer
As Ankita mentions above, you need not specialize to become a dentist. However, some states require a PGY-1 (1 post-graduate year of study) to become licensed. To my knowledge, New York and Delaware require a PGY-1. This can of course be satisfied by specializing, or alternatively by spending one or more years in an accredited general practice residency or the armed forces.
Thank you so much, Steven!
Ifra