Early Education

• Taking a good mix of science and mathematics courses in high school can help prepare someone who wishes to pursue a dental career. After successful completion of high school, or an equivalent degree program, those wishing to become a dentist will need to seek a bachelor's degree. Options for degrees that work well when applying to dental school include those based in science, such as biology or a health science field. Another option includes pursuing another field, such as business, while taking coursework specific to meeting the entry requirements of dental school, specifically science coursework.
  
  

Applying to Dental School

• Before applying to dental school, candidates must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Dental schools use these scores to help make decisions on admissions. Other things dental schools take into account include undergraduate grade point average and face-to-face interviews. While each dental school has its own admission requirements, the American Dental Association (ADA) offers recommendations on general requirements. This includes eight credit hours in several science disciplines, including biology, physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry requirements also require completion of laboratory coursework.
  
  

Dental School

• Competition for admission into dental school is competitive. Successful completion of a dental degree program results in one of two degree designations: the doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine. Students typically spend four years completing a dental degree. Coursework includes anatomy, clinical sciences and laboratory techniques. An extensive internship program is also common among dental schools. Aspiring dentists will spend time during the final two years of the degree program treating patients under the watchful eye of a licensed dentist.
  
  

Licensure

• Those wishing to practice as a dentist will need to take and pass a written and practical licensing exam. Each state determines exact licensing requirements for dentists looking to practice dentistry. The board of dental examiners in each state can provide information related to registering and taking the appropriate written and practical examinations for licensure.