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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A long path feels more manageable when you break it into smaller goals. These habits help at every stage:
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.
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.
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.
You need a bachelor's degree with science prerequisites, DAT scores, a DDS or DMD from an accredited program and a state license.
Yes. Dental schools accept any major as long as you complete their required science courses.