How to Become a Dentist: A Step-by-Step Path
Becoming a dentist is a long path, and it can feel hard to know where to start. The good news is that the main steps are clear. Once you see them in order, it becomes easier to plan your next move.
This guide explains how to become a dentist step by step. You will learn what to focus on in high school and college, how the Dental Admission Test and the application work, what happens in dental school and how licensing works after graduation. You will also learn when specialty training fits in, so you can see the full picture before you commit. Each step links to official sources, so you can check the details for your own situation.
How to become a dentist: the steps before dental school
Step 1: Build a strong base in high school
High school is a good time to explore. Take the science and math classes your school offers, such as biology and chemistry. Look for ways to learn about health careers, like volunteering or talking with a local dentist about their work.
Step 2: Earn a bachelor's degree and complete prerequisites
The BLS notes that most dental programs require at least a bachelor's degree and certain science courses. You can choose any major. Most schools ask for biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with labs. Our guide to the best pre-dental majors explains how to fit prerequisites into any field.
Step 3: Gain experience in dental settings
Dental schools want to know why you chose dentistry. Shadowing dentists, volunteering in your community and working in health settings help you understand the profession. Keep notes on what you see and learn. They will help later with essays and interviews.
Step 4: Take the Dental Admission Test
The Dental Admission Test (DAT), run by the American Dental Association, is accepted by all U.S. dental schools. Most students take it after finishing their science prerequisites. Our Dental Admission Test guide explains how to plan for it.
Step 5: Apply to dental school
Most U.S. dental schools use ADEA AADSAS, a centralized application. You apply about a year before you want to start. Your application usually includes transcripts, DAT scores, letters of evaluation, a personal statement and a list of your experiences. To see how these steps line up by year, read our pre-dental timeline.
Dental school, licensure and specialty training
Step 6: Complete dental school
Dental school usually takes four years. The first years focus on biomedical sciences and lab work on models. The final years focus on supervised patient care. Graduates earn a DDS or DMD, which are equivalent degrees.
Step 7: Get licensed
BLS explains that dentists must be licensed in the state where they work. Most states require a DDS or DMD from an accredited program, a written exam and a state or regional clinical exam. Check the dental board in the state where you plan to practice, since rules vary.
Step 8: Decide whether to specialize
Many dentists practice general dentistry right after licensure. Others choose a specialty, such as orthodontics or oral surgery. BLS notes that specialty training is usually a two-to-four-year residency, and oral and maxillofacial surgery programs typically take four to six years.
Tips to make the path easier
A long path feels more manageable when you break it into smaller goals. These habits help at every stage:
- Plan your courses early. Map prerequisites against your major in your first year.
- Track your experiences. Record dates, hours and supervisor contacts as you go.
- Reflect often. Write down what you learn after each shadowing or volunteer day.
- Ask for guidance. Pre-health advisors and dental students can answer questions you cannot find online.
- Protect your wellbeing. Rest and support make long-term goals easier to reach.
Experience also helps you confirm that dentistry fits you. A dental service learning trip is one way to see dental work in a new setting. On Smiles Movement trips, students shadow local dental professionals at mobile clinics and help with oral health education for children in partner communities.
Take your first step toward dentistry
Every dentist started with one small step. Yours might be a shadowing day, a science class or a conversation with a mentor. If you want to learn alongside dental professionals and partner communities, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.
Frequently asked questions about how to become a dentist
How many years does it take to become a dentist?
Most dentists complete a four-year bachelor's degree and four years of dental school. Specialists add a residency, usually two to four years, or longer for oral surgery.
What do you need to become a dentist?
You need a bachelor's degree with science prerequisites, DAT scores, a DDS or DMD from an accredited program and a state license.
Can I become a dentist with any major?
Yes. Dental schools accept any major as long as you complete their required science courses.