Steps to become a dentist

I'm a junior in high school and thinking of pursuing dentistry as my career. What are the steps I need to take, starting from my remaining high school years, to become a dentist?

It's fantastic that you already have a career goal in mind! Here's an outline of the steps you need to take to become a dentist, starting from your remaining high school years:

1. High school preparation: Focus on taking relevant coursework like biology, chemistry, physics, math, and any other science-based courses offered. If your school offers AP courses, try taking AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics. Keeping your overall GPA and your science GPA as high as possible is important since dental schools have high academic standards.

2. Extracurricular activities: Start developing your interest in dentistry by participating in relevant extracurriculars. You could volunteer at a local dental clinic, join a pre-health club, or shadow your local dentist to gain first-hand experience in the profession.

3. College selection: Research colleges with strong pre-dental or pre-health programs. When choosing a college, consider factors such as the support provided by their pre-health advising program, opportunities for research, dental-related internships, and clinical experiences.

4. College coursework: As a pre-dental student, you'll need to complete the required prerequisite courses, which typically include general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, and sometimes other courses like biochemistry or anatomy. Keep your GPA high, with a particular focus on your science courses (colleges will consider your science GPA during the screening process).

5. Extracurriculars in college: Continue building your dental experience through volunteering, internships, or research opportunities in dental fields. Join a pre-dental/health club or organization, and consider taking a leadership role to demonstrate your commitment to the field.

6. Dental Admission Test (DAT): Prepare for and take the Dental Admission Test, typically in the spring or summer of your junior year or early in your senior year. It's essential to achieve a competitive score since dental schools place significant weight on DAT scores during the admissions process.

7. Dental school applications: Begin researching dental schools and preparing your applications during the summer before your senior year in college. Dental schools have a centralized application system called the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), where you can apply to multiple dental schools at once.

8. Letters of recommendation and personal statement: Gather strong letters of recommendation from your professors, dentists you've shadowed or worked with, and other relevant individuals. Craft an engaging and personal statement that showcases your passion for dentistry and highlights your experiences, skills, and accomplishments in the field.

9. Dental school interviews: Prepare for dental school interviews by practicing common questions and becoming comfortable discussing your passion for dentistry, experiences, and aspirations.

10. Dental school: You will typically spend four years in dental school earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Dental school includes both classroom learning and hands-on clinical experiences.

11. National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE): During dental school, you will need to pass both parts of the NBDE to be eligible for a dental license.

12. Dental residency: Upon completion of dental school, you must complete a dental residency, which typically takes 1-6 years, depending on the specialty you choose (if any).

13. Licensure: Obtain your dental license by passing a state or regional clinical examination, as required by your state's dental board.

Following these steps, you'll be on your way to a successful career as a dentist. Good luck on your journey!