To qualify for dental school at the postgraduate level, students must first complete their undergraduate education. Most dentists major in a scientific discipline, such as biology or chemistry, leading to a bachelor's degree. Others complete two or three years of study at the college level, completing their bachelor's degree while in dental school. In either case, courses should concentrate on biology, chemistry, physics, health and mathematics. Candidates should always research the prerequisites required by their prospective dental school to adequately prepare.
Graduates wishing to pursue dentistry must enrol in a postgraduate program recognized by the American Dental Association. Dental school lasts four years and requires candidates to successfully pass the Dental Admissions Test. Entrance into dental school depends on those test scores, undergraduate grade-point average, recommendations and an interview.
Dental school combines education within a traditional classroom setting with practical learning in a clinical setting. After completing foundational courses in clinical science, students enroll in anatomy, microbiology, chemistry and physiology courses. Under the supervision of licensed dentists, students apply the knowledge and skills obtained in the classroom on actual patients in a clinical setting. Successful completion of dental school results in students earning either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Dentists working in the United States must possess a license to legally practice as a dentist. After obtaining a degree from an accredited dental school, candidates must pass written and practical testing. The National Board Dental Examination consists of the written portion of the examination exclusively. Individual states and testing facilities administer both the written and practical component.
To obtain a license, candidates are usually required to complete two to four years of postgraduate training and sometimes an additional state examination. This includes a two-year postgraduate residency set in a practical setting, concentrating on teaching general and specialized skills. It is recommended that dental school graduates work under the supervision of established dentists for one or two years to gain experience before opening a private practice.
Dentists must possess the ability to diagnose oral problems and the manual skills needed in repairing them. Most dentistry requires good interpretive capabilities, especially judgment of space, shape and color. Dentists should also possess good visual memory, the ability to concentrate and effective communication skills. A well-developed business sense is important for dentists working in private practice.