You are at the right place! Find useful resources and helpful information below for both high school and college students that will kick start your journey to becoming a dentist.
Also, visit GoDental for additional career information provided by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).
Dentistry is the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, the craniomaxillofacial area and the adjacent structures and their impact on the human body. This care is provided by dentists within the scope of their education, training and experience in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law.
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth and mouth.
Improve a patient’s appearance.
Perform surgical procedures such as implants, tissue grafts and extractions.
Educate patients on how to better care for their teeth and prevent oral disease.
Teach future dentists and dental hygienists.
Perform research directed to improving oral health and developing new treatment methods.
Service to others: As a dentist, clinical or nonclinical, you will help people maintain and improve their oral health, quality of life and appearance.
Positive lifestyle: Dentistry offers you the chance to create a professional and personal life that is balanced and satisfying.
Patient empowerment: You can give patients smiles and improved oral health. You will also have the chance to impact their overall health as oral is health.
Prevention: In oral exams, you may detect issues that go beyond tooth decay and gum disease. These may include oral cancer or other systemic issues like cardiovascular problems or diabetes. Administering vaccinations in-office is another example of scope of practice.
Creativity: You will have the opportunity to use your artistic and scientific talents in many ways, seeking innovative solutions for patient needs. Some dentists like to balance clinical treatment and nonclinical efforts to promote oral health by lecturing, teaching, and authoring dental content.
Research and technology: Many dentists play an active role in the scientific advancement of oral health. This may involve taking part in research studies or fulfilling a role on scientific councils or product and technology development.
Leadership: Participating in your local or state dental societies, collaborating with other health care professionals, mentoring, and engaging in your community's events will all elevate recognition of you as an oral health care influencer outside of direct patient care.
Employment: Many options exist to fulfill your career needs if the responsibility of owning a practice is not for you.
Employer: Many options exist if you choose to launch or buy a dental practice(s).
Generally, three to four years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school are required to graduate and become a dentist. Dental schools may choose to award a doctorate of dental surgery (DDS) or a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD). Dentists holding DDS or DMD degrees have fulfilled the same educational requirements set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). State licensing boards accept both degrees as equivalent, allowing licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Search a current list of accredited dental education programs and schools and view resources to help you finance your dental education here.
While in high school take math and science courses, enroll in chemistry, biology and algebra and consider taking AP (Advanced Placement) science courses. Find out everything you can about dentistry to discover if dentistry is a good fit for you and to demonstrate your interest in the profession.
How? Job shadow or volunteer at your family dentist's office, orthodontist or pediatric dentist's office. Contact a local practicing dentist to answer your questions. If there isn’t a mentor program in your area to pursue job shadowing or volunteering, contact the nearest dental society.
Does your high school have health careers clubs? HOSA - Future Health Professionals is a national organization with high school chapters offering health profession career information.
Here’s what some ASDA members say about the benefits of membership: “Changing the way the laws work and protecting dental students is truly the greatest benefit.” “The Mouth and other ASDA publications help me understand what life as a dental student is all about.”
“As a high school student I found out just what I need to get prepared for dental school.”
ASDA helps you prepare for dental school by sharing current issues important to dental students and dentistry. ASDA publications are written by dental students and include these free publications
Visit ASDA or call 800.621.8099 to become a member.
Explore Health Careers
Accurate, up-to-date health careers resource information for students and advisors that includes links to health-related education and training programs, financial aid resources, specialized learning opportunities, and current issues in health care.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
A national organization to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and enhance the delivery of quality health care for all. High school chapters explore a variety of health related careers including dentistry.
Life Works
Comprehensive information for exploring health careers including a career finder, in-depth success stories of health professionals, education and salary information.
American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
National organization for dental education with the mission to address current issues influencing dental education. Members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools, other dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students.
American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
National student-run organization providing services and advocacy for students pursuing careers in dentistry. Helpful publications, membership available.
Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)
Information on the national organization of dental professionals involved in promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals across the United States.
National Dental Association (NDA)
Organization dedicated to serving as advocates in the public arena and private sector to increase access to care for underserved. Involved in recruiting underrepresented minorities into the profession and improving the educational opportunities of minorities underrepresented in the oral health field.
Student National Dental Association (SNDA)
Student dental organization made up of African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian backgrounds with the goal of improving the minority health manpower distribution among the minority populations.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Promotes efforts to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information.
Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID)
National organization promotes dental health in the American Indian community; encourages American Indian youth to pursue a career in the profession of dentistry; serves as a resource for assistance to American Indian students interested in the profession of dentistry; provides role-model leadership; promote American Indian heritage and traditional values and promotes and supports the unique concerns of American Indian dentists.
“Changing the way the laws work and protecting dental students is truly the greatest benefit.”
“The Mouth and other ASDA publications help me understand what life as a dental student is all about.”
“As a high school student I found out just what I need to get prepared for dental school.”
Prepare for dental school by learning about current issues important to dental students and dentistry. Get the scoop about the dental school experience. ASDA publications are written by dental students and include these free publications:
Visit www.asdanet.org/joinnow.aspx or call 800.621.8099 to become a member.
Would you like to talk with a dentist in your community, ask questions and possibly observe first-hand (job shadow) a dental professional at work? Mentors can help you understand dentistry from the other side of the chair and provide guidance about pursuing dentistry as a career.
Ask your local dental society for help.
Earning a doctoral degree in dentistry usually requires four academic years of study. Dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The four years of study leading to the DDS or DMD degree progress as follows:
Years One and Two
Years Three and Four
Explore Health Careers
Accurate, up-to-date health careers resource information for students and advisors that includes links to health-related education and training programs, financial aid resources, specialized learning opportunities, and current issues in health care.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
A national organization to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and enhance the delivery of quality health care for all. High school chapters explore a variety of health related careers including dentistry.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
In-depth stories from the perspective of oral health research professionals in various settings, comprehensive career finder for health careers and Women in Dental Research, a DVD highlighting a variety of women in dental research careers.
NIH Pathways from School to Dental Research
Highlights summer internship program opportunities for high school and college students.
Public Health Careers
Explore public health careers. From education overviews to career statistics. See how to become a public health professional.
American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
National organization for dental education with the mission to address current issues influencing dental education. Members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools, other dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students.
American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
National student-run organization providing services and advocacy for students pursuing careers in dentistry. Helpful publications, membership available.
Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)
Information on the national organization of dental professionals involved in promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals across the United States.
National Dental Association (NDA)
Organization dedicated to serving as advocates in the public arena and private sector to increase access to care for underserved. Involved in recruiting underrepresented minorities into the profession and improving the educational opportunities of minorities underrepresented in the oral health field.
National Association for the Advisors of the Health Profession (NAAHP)
Information for students exploring or planning a career in the health professions including locating a college health professions advisor and the helpful, supportive role of the health professions advisor.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Promotes efforts to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information.
Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID)
National organization promotes dental health in the American Indian community; encourages American Indian youth to pursue a career in the profession of dentistry; serves as a resource for assistance to American Indian students interested in the profession of dentistry; provides role-model leadership; promote American Indian heritage and traditional values and promotes and supports the unique concerns of American Indian dentists.
Student National Dental Association (SNDA)
Student dental organization made up of African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian backgrounds with the goal of improving the minority health manpower distribution among the minority populations.