Dentist: Know the Education Required of Your Dentist

Most people do not relish the thought of getting work done on their teeth, especially if they are worried about the quality of care they will get. If you feel more comfortable knowing the education that a dentist has to have before getting their own office, in addition to the certifications and experience they must have first, you should find out. It is not easy to become a caretaker of teeth, and fortunately most practitioners are well prepared. 

Of course anyone looking to become a dentist has to finish high school, and usually does well in courses like biology, chemistry, and physics. This is because like any other medical field, dentistry revolves around science, so most successful practitioners are quite interested in this subject. The majority of dental schools also require incoming students to have an undergraduate college degree. Scientific courses are also expected, similar to in high school, but usually with the addition of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. 

Most dentistry schools require a good college grade point average, as well as a successful personal interview, good recommendations, and some experience in the field, such as volunteering or internships. The Dental Admissions Test is also given, and those scores are heavily considered before students can enter school. The best schools are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, as they make sure that future dentists are taught all the skills they will need to be successful. 

Most schools for dentists involve four years of training, including labs and experience in an actual office, assisting professionals in this field. At the end of this schooling and training, they are usually given either a Doctor of Dental Medicine, or DMD, or Doctor of Dental Surgery, or DDS. The last step is becoming licensed in their state, after which they can usually open their own practice if desired. This typically requires a written exam to make sure that they know all the details of dentistry. 

Before you choose a dentist, you should find out how much education and experience they have. This might help you feel better about getting procedures done, as most dentists with adequate training and experience have the least amount of mistakes. You can find out their history of malpractice suits to further quell any fears before you make an appointment. That way, you will feel as relaxed as possible before your appointments, which means that you will likely not avoid getting routine care like many people do.