Are You Prepared for Dental School?

What is dentistry to a future dental student? For some, dentistry is just a viable career choice. Some people choose to go into dentistry for the purpose of helping patients maintain good health, others because the job requires a lot of interaction with and education of people. Still others do it for the salary, which averaged 192,680 dollars for a private practitioner owning their business in 2009. Specialists that year averaged about 305,820 dollars!

Whatever the reason for pursuing a dental career, interested students will find that their educational journey can be challenging. The American dental association recognizes more than 50 schools in the United States for dental education. These schools have been accredited by CODA, the Commission on Dental Accreditation put together by the ADA.

If you want to go to a top dental school, you will have to be financially and emotionally committed to a challenging education. An actual dental student has recommended that undergraduate students should take microbiology, human anatomy, bio medical Latin and Greek, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, pathology, and endocrinology to better prepare themselves for dental school.

Dental school life is marked mainly by bio medical science education in the first year, and more hands on work in a lab in the second year. Dental school life is without a doubt demanding, and is not complete until passing both part one and part two of the National Board Dental Examinations, and an additional dental hygiene examination.

A dentist lifestyle will vary depending on your career choice, either in private practice, or in a specialization, and whether you choose to own your own practice. For many dentists, life after dental school will likely include advanced and continuing education to stay current with the latest science, techniques, and procedures. If dentistry still sounds like a desirable career, then start preparing as soon as you can.