The dental school involves rigorous training, hundreds of hours of study and several exams. Schooling begins with undergraduate work. Dental students need to complete four years at an accredited college or university before being accepted into dental school. Once accepted into dental school they begin basic studies that will lead them to get a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). These degrees that dentists have differed only in name.
The Competition for Dental School
Those interested in becoming dentists must realize that it requires determination for a person to achieve in undergraduate school the grades and skills necessary to successfully compete for entrance into dental school. After taking the dental school entrance exam, thousands of students apply each year for schools which can only take 10 percent or less of the qualified applicants. Some dental schools accept less than 5% of the applicants. Regardless of the ranking of the school, the competition is fierce.
Research, Clinical Studies, and Hands-On Experience
Obviously, all would-be dentists need to have hands-on experience at some point in their dental schooling. Some schools offer students more time working with patients than in other schools. Some dental schools have a priority in the area of research. Prospective dental students need to look at the mission of the school they are interested in and find out what the overall focus of study will be.
Just like other schools, dental schools do not have a cookie-cutter template for educating their students. While there is basic knowledge to be had by all who study to become dentists, different schools will graduate students with strengths in various areas. There are private and public schools of dentistry. Some schools, such as Harvard are known for their challenging curriculum. Harvard dentists also have the advantage of the school name to lend credence to their abilities.
Lesser-known schools graduate highly skilled dentists as well; however, those dentists may not have the ready-made credentials that a Harvard or University of California dentist may have. Schools vary in cost and what they can offer their students, but the basic training is very similar between schools.
Additional Training for Dentists
Dentists have the option of going further in school to get training in a specialty. Orthodontia, oral surgery, endodontics are just a few of the specialties available for dentists. The specialty usually takes two or more additional years of training.
A good dentist is not only skilled in providing excellent care for his or her patients, but a good dentist also knows how to help patients feel at ease and performs procedures keeping the patient’s comfort in mind. At Dynamic Dental Solutions, we take pride in offering our patients excellent dental care as we help them relax during dental procedures. If you are looking for dentists who care, contact us for an appointment.