High School to Dentist: What Steps to Take?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I want to become a dentist after college. What steps should I take right now and throughout college to make sure I'm on the right track? Are there any specific courses or extracurriculars I should focus on?

Hi there! It's great that you've already decided on a career path. To become a dentist, you'll need to follow a few key steps during high school and college, and I'll outline them for you below.

1. High school coursework: Focus on taking science and math classes, like biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus, as they will build a strong foundation for pre-dental courses in college. If your school offers AP courses in these subjects, try to take those as well, as that will demonstrate to colleges your readiness to handle rigorous courses, and build up your overall skillset.

2. Extracurriculars: Join clubs or activities related to the healthcare field or consider volunteering at a dental clinic, participating in a healthcare-related internship, or shadowing a dentist. These opportunities will give you firsthand experience in the dental profession and show your dedication to this career path. For more ideas, you can check out CollegeVine's list of medical internships and programs for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/medical-internships-for-high-school-students/. While they might not relate to the dental field specifically, you will still learn skills and have experiences that are relevant to your eventual career as a dentist.

3. College selection: When researching colleges, look for schools with strong pre-dental or pre-health programs. Some colleges even have direct-entry dental programs or early assurance programs that can streamline the process of getting into dental school.

4. College coursework: In college, you'll need to complete pre-dental courses, which typically include general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Some schools might also require additional courses such as biochemistry and anatomy. You don't have to major in science, but you'll need to complete these courses regardless of your major, so keep in mind that majoring in something else might mean you need to take summer courses, or an extra term to graduate, to fulfill both your major and pre-dental requirements.

5. Extracurriculars in college: Continue to gain experience in the dental field through volunteering, internships, or research. Joining a pre-dental or pre-health club at your college can be helpful, as they can provide resources, networking opportunities, and support.

6. Dental Admissions Test (DAT): You'll need to take the DAT, which is a standardized exam that measures your knowledge of natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. Aim to take the test at the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year in college, so you have time to retake it if needed.

7. Dental school applications: Start preparing your dental school applications early, as they can be time-consuming. You'll need to submit your academic records, DAT scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, among other things.

8. Dental school: Once admitted to dental school, you'll complete four years of professional education to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.

9. Licensing and residency: After graduating from dental school, you'll need to pass a licensing examination and complete a dental residency (if required in your state or if you're pursuing a specialty) before you can practice dentistry.

These steps should give you an idea of the path to becoming a dentist. Remember to work hard, stay motivated, and seek out opportunities to gain experience and make connections in the dental field throughout your high school and college years. It's a long journey, but I have no doubt you'll end up becoming a great dentist one day!