Dentistry
What does a dentist do?
Dentists perform a wide array of activities in their profession, such as “providing preventative care, delivering restorative procedures, eliminating pain or correcting dento-facial esthetics” (ADEA).
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) describes the responsibilities of a dentist as:
- Evaluates the overall health of their patients while advising them about oral health and disease prevention.
- Performs clinical procedures, such as exams, fillings, crowns, implants, extractions and corrective surgeries.
- Identifies, diagnoses and treats oral conditions.
- Performs general dentistry or practices in one of nine dental specialties.
Choosing This Field
When figuring out if this profession is right for you, make sure to explore various resources to inform you about careers in dental medicine, engage in self-reflection regularly, and seek out relevant clinical and service experiences.
The ADEA has a variety of resources to help prospective pre-dental students explore the field, including: Why Be a Dentist? and Common Personality Traits of a Dentist.
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There are several different ways to use your degree to practice dental medicine, so it is important to explore those options as well before deciding on this career path. Explore the ADEA’s page about Career Options that gives information both about using your degree, practicing general dentistry, as well as possibly choosing a dental specialty.
You can also learn more on the American Dental Association‘s website, as well as the American Student Dental Association site.
How can I prepare for Dental School?
There is no required major for pre-dental students. We encourage students to explore their major options.
As a student completing an undergraduate degree, applicants will need to complete the prerequisite course requirements for admittance to dental school (see as well the Prerequisites listed by the ADEA).
See below for a list of common prerequisites, along with experiential learning suggestions:
Entrance Exam: DAT
In addition to undergraduate preparation, applicants are also required to sit for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a five-hour exam that tests on understanding of foundational concepts and big ideas from science coursework.
Applicants are also expected to have accumulated a certain number of clinical hours (direct patient care and shadowing experiences) and service hours (community service and volunteer work).
Dental school training takes four years to complete. To understand the curriculum, visit the ADEA’s Dental School Curriculum page. For information on the application process, visit the ADEA’s AADSAS page about the application to dental school.
Find a Program
To find dental schools, look at the ADEA’s Dental School Explorer and the Official Guide to Dental Schools.