How to become a Dentist

Published 11:47 am Thursday, August 23, 2012

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Dental education requires a great deal of time and devotion. The whole process will take you approximately 8 years. This does not include post-graduate education for a particular specialty within the field of dentistry. So let’s find out how to become a dentist here www.becomedentist.com !
How to Become a Dentist: Education Needed
First thing you need is a Bachelor’s degree. It should not be necessarily something connected with dentistry. You can choose psychology, literature, marketing, or whatever. Still, note that you will have to study a number of courses like chemistry, physics, etc. to be eligible for dental school. 
Your next step to become a dentist is a graduate school. For independent practice you need to become a  Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery which will take you another 4 years. Actually, after that you may apply for state licensing. However, if you want to specialize in oral surgery, for example, you will have to study for a couple of years more. 
How to Become a Dentist: Admission Requirements and Dental Curriculum
Students considering dental school as the option for continuing education will have to submit a coursework in chemistry, physics, biology, math. As for the dental school curriculum, it will include three main parts:
• Core sciences study
• Clinical practice
• Practice management classes
Dental school gives every student the possibility to not only acquire excellent theoretical knowledge, but also master their skills during practicum. 
How to Become a Dentist in a Certain Field
Acquiring education in some specialty is quite a challenge. You have to become a generalist first, and only then choose a certain field. There are 9 areas of dentistry, acknowledged by the American Dental Association:
• Public health dentistry – providing dental care within community
• Endodontistics – dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp
• Oral radiology – detecting oral illnesses using radiology images
• Pediatric dentistry – dealing with dental problems of children and teenagers
• Periodontics – treating gum diseases, bone regeneration and surgical implant procedures
• Prosthodontics – performing dentures, implants and crowns treatments
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
• Oral and maxillofacial pathologist 
• Orthodontist
To become a professional in one of these fields, you will have to spend from 2 to 6 years for additional studying. Still note that specialists earn more that generalists. 
These are the main guidelines on how to become a dentist. Now you should look for the best possible dental school to undergo all the steps mentioned above! 

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