How do you become a Pediatric Dentist or Orthodontist?
What does it take to become a Pediatric Dentist or Orthodontist?
In addition to being the right kind of person, patient, smart, kind, good manual dexterity, and good people skills, it requires, well, lots of schooling. I often run into people who assume dental school is sort of a trade school you do after high school for a couple of years. In fact most dentists must complete a 4-year university degree before even entering dental school. Dental school is at least 4 years. At that point you may want to put out your shingle and start practice. You receive either a DDS, doctor of dental surgery, or a DMD, doctor of dental medicine. I am not going to go into it here, but suffice it to say there is no substantive difference between these two degrees, especially as far as the patient is concerned.
Most dentists go on for further schooling! Many do a general practice residency in a hospital setting to refine their skills. Some go on to obtain a PhD for a career as an educator or in research. Some obtain an MD degree in addition to their DMD or DDS. Many do, as I did, and specialize in one of the recognized dental specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, or Public Health. Most of these require at least two additional years of intense study. I’ll have more on these specialties later.
Let’s see, that’s at least ten years after high school to become a Pediatric Dentist or Orthodontist! Not exactly the local trade school.
*February 10, 2006 Update: check out this new post on this topic The Dental Specialties
If you want more, go back to the home page or click here:Pediatric Dentistry
Labels: Dental School, Orthodontics
posted by Dr. Dean Brandon @ 8:40 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
Dr. Dean Brandon, your infomation on how to become a dentist was very inightful for me.However I am currently a college student, and recently completed 2 years of school with an undecieded major. I now have a passion to become a dentist. But I only have just some of the prerequisites needed to attend dental school or to take the DAT. Do you think that it is too late in my college career to go after a pre-dental degree. Thank you for you time. Contact: april_marie0427@yahoo.com
April,
It is never too late! One of my partners was an accountant before entering dental school.
You don't necessarily have to complete a "pre-dental" degree to get into dental school. I would concentrate on finding a major you enjoy and/or are quite adept at. Some majors require you to get some of the prerequisites for a medical or dental program just as part of the curriculum. So, if you major in History (and I had a guy in my class who did), make sure you get the Chemistry and Biology classes you need , say as part of your minor, double major or the like.
There are no set rules on this other than the basic science requirements which vary a little from dental school to dental school. They want someone who has good grades and has the interest, skills and drive to succeed. Those academic skills can be demonstrated by good grades in whatever path you take.
If you get good grades, you have the flexibility to not only apply to dental school, but medical school or engineering, or anything else. You may find as you go along that your interests lie elsewhere. If you do, you will be prepared either way. Good Luck! Let me know how things go!
Dr. Dean Brandon,
i am currently a high school senior and i am interested in becoming a dentist. i will be attending uc berkeley and i will like to know more about the dental school you went to and which ones would you recommend. ten years may seem a lot, but i will take the challenge. i am currently doing a research report on the field of dentistry so all the information you can provide me w/ is really helpful.
thank you.
e-mail:jessica0104_saxophone@yahoo.com
I went to the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Based on National Board Scores, my biased self would say one of the best.
There are many good ones out there. Which one is best for you depends on you. Other schools with which I am familiar and know are well respected are: Univ. of North Carolina, Iowa, Michigan, Washington, and UCLA (nearer to you). I have a fellow resident that teaches at Loma Linda. UC San Francisco would be a good bet too.
Here is a complete list:
US Dental Schools
Also, check out This Link to all my posts on dental school.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a 15 year old 9th grader, and ever since i went to the dentist, i always wanted to be the one doing the work, not the one laying down. my parents and teachers are really stressing me over which classes to take in high school, and i am so frazzeled!!! i don't know what to do! i don't want to waste 4 years of my high school career learning things that are useless to me. i want to be a......i guess a, " surgical....pediatric....Orthodontist.?"
i'm not shure thats what you call it....i just put words together!
But, no one takes me seriously, and i really hope you can help me.
-Emily
Most dentists and physicians knew what they wanted to be as early as high school. Having said that you would not be wasting anything by taking any particular courses. Don't stress out. What do you "want" to take, if there is a choice? Whatever you study do it well and ot the best of your ability. You may want to read my comments to others who have asked similar questions. You may change your mind once you are in college, who knows. If you do, good grades will help no matter what. No knowledge is useless.
By the way high school is not a career as much as a way to explore academic disciplines and develop social and academic skills. Good grief, Have fun too!
Dr. Dean Brandon,
I am a 9th grader and I am doing a career project on an Orthodontist. I was wondering if you could go more detailed on how you can become an orthodontist, like more information on the schools and tests/exams you would go to and take. Thank you.
Can't get too much detail now. Basically, once you are in about the third year of Dental School, you apply for a residency or postgraduate advanced education program in Orthodontics. No special test, just as applying for any specialty residency, a good academic record in Dental School. Most specialties take two additional years of school. Check out my other post on the Dental Specialties.
Hey all, I found a good site for those wondering about the intricacies of the dental school experience:
DMD Student-a Dental School Student Blog
Dr. Dean Brandon,
I have a quick question:
So basically, the amount of schooling would generally be to complete 4 years at any college, then apply for 3 years of dental school, and in the third year, apply for the education program in orthodontics, am I right? So this would add up to approximately 9 years to become an orthodontist?
Not quite correct.
Dental School is 4 years. Yes, in the third year of dental school you would apply, but you still have to finish the fourth year to get your Doctoral degree then start your two year residency in ortho. So, 10 years after high school.
hey Dr. iam very happy to go on your site and thanks about your informations , i am currently acollege student .
my name is Ahmed Shehata
Faculty of Dentistry
SINAI University
Egypt
0020126092008
ahmedchehata@yahoo.com
ahmedchehata@live.com
Dr. Dean Brandon,
I am in my very early 20s, and I have taken some Technical Colleges Courses (actually I am about 4 courses from having my AAS degree)
I have always had a passion for education, but never knew what I really wanted to do in life, so I never hassled my parents with wasting money for me to attend a 4yr universtiy. But I am at a stage in which I really want to not only make a huge difference in my life but also others.
In addition to my love for education (Especially: English & Science) comes my extreme talent and passion of art. But I really consider that more of a hobby. So with that in mind (among other reasons) Denistry is a career that I seriously intend to pursue.
I really had great grades in high school, and even at my technical college, but I guess my question is, my aspiration to become a dentist, female, and even a minority, is this goal truly achieveable, at my age? With my current educational background? I am very fortunate in that I have UNC in a fairly decent proximaty, and I plan on applying as a transfer student.
I earnestly have the will and the time, and the desire, and the discipline. I suppose I was really curious is that enough?
Thank you immensely,
...a future successor....
(Please Contact: burrisks@gmail.com)
wow I like your note here. artistic tendencies/talent are of value in dentistry. Good luck!!!
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