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What classes do you need to take in college to become a dentist ? ?
What classes do you need to take in college to become a dentist ?
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Charlie Crenshaw IV
Senior Business Manager - Communications Specialist
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Charlie’s Answer
Hello Juana! So, you need to complete a bachelor's degree and enroll in a graduate professional degree program, typically spanning four years. But, before you event go that route, I think you should explore job shadowing. Find a local dentistry that would allow you to intern for a day and ask a ton of questions! You are the future and this could possibly lead to a future job with at that dentist.
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Each dental school is different. Basically go for a bachelors in science and you should be good. prerequisites are found in the dental school’s website.
For USC
Required prerequisites are:
General biology and lab (1 year)
General physics and lab (1 year)
Inorganic/general chemistry and lab (1 year)
Organic chemistry and lab (1 year)
English composition (1 year)
Philosophy, history or fine arts (1 year)
One letter of recommendation from a biology or chemistry professor.
This info is from this link below
https://dentistry.usc.edu/admission/doctor-of-dental-surgery-dds/
Visit the dental school in questions website under prerequisites
https://dentistry.usc.edu/admission/doctor-of-dental-surgery-dds/
https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/prerequisites
For USC
Required prerequisites are:
General biology and lab (1 year)
General physics and lab (1 year)
Inorganic/general chemistry and lab (1 year)
Organic chemistry and lab (1 year)
English composition (1 year)
Philosophy, history or fine arts (1 year)
One letter of recommendation from a biology or chemistry professor.
This info is from this link below
https://dentistry.usc.edu/admission/doctor-of-dental-surgery-dds/
Rachel recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Juana
Updated
Tolulope’s Answer
Most programs require at least eight hours of biology, chemistry, physical science, organic chemistry, and English courses as an undergrad before applying. Most dental schools are four-year programs. Schools either award a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).
The dental school curriculum varies by school and often changes, but most schools follow the general structure outlined below. For more details on the curriculum of a specific school, visit the school website
In the first two years of dental school, students spend most of their time studying basic biological sciences and learning the structure and function of the body and the diseases that can affect it.
Classes often include:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Dental-oriented sciences
Oral anatomy
Oral pathology
Oral histology
Students also often learn about how to care for a diverse array of populations and may interact with patients to provide very basic oral health care. Most of their training outside of the core classes in the first two years involves practicing procedures on models of the mouth and teeth.
Third and Fourth Years: Mostly Clinical
The last two years of dental school mostly involve clinical study (direct patient care) and some practice management instruction. Students will learn to care for chronically ill, disabled, special care and geriatric patients as well as children to ensure they have a wide variety of experience caring for all types of people.
At many schools, students often rotate through various clinics, hospitals and other off-campus community settings, and work under the supervision of a clinical instructor. This gives students the opportunity to work closely with other health professionals and health professions students, giving them the appreciation of a team approach to health care delivery.
Dental schools change their curriculums often to meet the needs of a constantly changing population, but this general outline tends to stay the same across all schools.
The dental school curriculum varies by school and often changes, but most schools follow the general structure outlined below. For more details on the curriculum of a specific school, visit the school website
In the first two years of dental school, students spend most of their time studying basic biological sciences and learning the structure and function of the body and the diseases that can affect it.
Classes often include:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Dental-oriented sciences
Oral anatomy
Oral pathology
Oral histology
Students also often learn about how to care for a diverse array of populations and may interact with patients to provide very basic oral health care. Most of their training outside of the core classes in the first two years involves practicing procedures on models of the mouth and teeth.
Third and Fourth Years: Mostly Clinical
The last two years of dental school mostly involve clinical study (direct patient care) and some practice management instruction. Students will learn to care for chronically ill, disabled, special care and geriatric patients as well as children to ensure they have a wide variety of experience caring for all types of people.
At many schools, students often rotate through various clinics, hospitals and other off-campus community settings, and work under the supervision of a clinical instructor. This gives students the opportunity to work closely with other health professionals and health professions students, giving them the appreciation of a team approach to health care delivery.
Dental schools change their curriculums often to meet the needs of a constantly changing population, but this general outline tends to stay the same across all schools.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Juana