How Much Schooling to Be a Dentist? Your Complete Guide to the Educational Path
If you’ve ever sat in a dentist’s chair and wondered, “How long did my dentist go to school?”—you’re not alone. Many curious minds want to know how much time and effort it takes to become a dentist. This guide will lay out every step, from college through dental school, as well as what happens after graduation. Thinking about a career in dentistry? Let’s find out if it’s right for you, and why all that schooling might just be worth it.
Table of Contents
What Does It Take to Be a Dentist?
Before you look at how long it takes, you should know what being a dentist involves. Dentists are doctors who help people keep their teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. They fill cavities, fix broken teeth, and teach you how to brush and floss. There are also dentists who work in special fields like straightening teeth, putting in fake teeth, or helping kids with their dental needs.
Most people become a dentist because they want to help others and like working with their hands. You’ll need to be smart in school, have patience, and be able to talk to people. You have to work hard and stick with it, because becoming a dentist takes a lot of time, work, and money. Still interested? Keep reading to see if this job is right for you.
How Long Is Dental School in Total?
Let’s get right to the big question—how many years of school do you need? Here’s a simple answer:
| Stage | Years Required |
|---|---|
| College (Undergraduate) | 4 years |
| Dental School (DDS/DMD) | 4 years |
| Minimum Total | 8 years |
| Specialty Training | 2-6+ extra years |
So, to become a regular dentist, you need at least 8 years after high school. If you want to train for a specialty like braces or jaw surgery, you need 2 to 6 more years.
Let’s break down each part step by step.
What Do You Study in College Before Dental School?
Before you go to dental school, you need to finish college—usually a Bachelor’s degree. Most people pick majors like biology or chemistry, but you don’t have to. You can study anything you like, as long as you take the classes dental schools ask for.
Usual Required Classes:
- Biology (+ lab)
- General Chemistry (+ lab)
- Organic Chemistry (+ lab)
- Physics (+ lab)
- Biochemistry
- English
- Math (like calculus or statistics)
Some students start at community college, then move to a university. As long as you check what each dental school needs, you’ll be okay.
Things You Should Do:
- Keep your grades up. Most dental schools want science grades between 3.5 and 3.7.
- Volunteer or help out with research, especially in health.
- Watch a dentist work—try to get 100-200 hours.
- Get good letters from your teachers or bosses.
- Join groups or clubs to show you are a team player.
All of this helps you look good when you apply. Lots of dental schools also like people who help their community.
What Tests Do You Need to Take?
There’s one big test you need: The Dental Admission Test (DAT).
The DAT checks your science smarts, reading, math skills, and even how well you can see shapes and spaces (the Perceptual Ability Test). It’s a tough test—most people study for months!
Average DAT Scores:
- Academic Average: 20-21 (out of 30)
- Perceptual Ability: 20-21
Most schools want you to get at least 20 in every part.
Once you’ve finished the DAT, you apply to dental schools through a system called AADSAS. You fill out your classes, grades, experiences, personal story, and sometimes answer more questions. If you do well, schools ask you in for an interview.
What Happens in Dental School?
Dental school is tough. You’ll have to handle a lot of science classes, practice on fake teeth, and then start treating real people—all in four years. Here’s what it looks like:
Years 1-2:
You’ll read a lot. You study things like body parts, how your body works, sickness, chemicals, medicines, and basic dental stuff. You’ll work in labs on fake teeth (no real people yet!).
Years 3-4:
Now you work on real people, but with your teacher watching very closely. You’ll do everything from simple fillings to root canals and dentures. You’ll also try out different areas like mouth surgery, kids’ teeth, and braces.
You’ll take tests all the time—even some big countrywide ones like the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
You’ll also get ready for more tests to get your license, write a personal story, and look for a job or more training.
Almost all US dental schools are approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Always check your school is on the list!
If you want to see what a real dental lab looks like, check out a digital dental lab to see the tools dentists use every day.
What’s the Difference Between DDS and DMD?
You might hear about two degrees: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Here’s the truth—they mean the same thing! Both let you learn everything you need.
- DDS: Some schools give this degree (like the University of Michigan)
- DMD: Other schools give this one (like Harvard)
Both let you take the tests to be a dentist. Which one you get depends only on the school name, not what you learn.
What Does It Cost to Become a Dentist?
Now, let’s talk about money, because being a dentist is expensive.
| Type of School | Tuition Per Year | Total for Four Years |
|---|---|---|
| Public, In-State | $39,000 – $65,000 | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| Public, Out-of-State | $60,000 – $95,000 | $220,000 – $350,000 |
| Private | $70,000 – $100,000+ | $300,000 – $400,000+ |
This is only for classes—it doesn’t count rent, food, or books. Most students use loans, and the typical dental school grad owes $300,000-$400,000.
But here’s the good part! Scholarships are out there if you apply early. Some dentists even work with a china dental lab to help patients save money on crowns and dentures. Saving money now can help you a lot later.
Are There Extra Years for Dental Specialties?
Yes! If you want to be a specialist, there’s more school after dental school.
Some Dental Specialties and Years Needed:
- Orthodontist (braces): 2-3 more years
- Oral Surgeon: 4-6 more years
- Pediatric Dentist (kids): 2-3 more years
- Endodontist (root canals): 2-3 more years
- Periodontist (gums): 3 more years
- Prosthodontist (dentures): 3 more years
Specialty schools are hard to get into, with more tests and tough classes. Sometimes, you study even longer for an extra skill.
Want to design crowns, bridges, or veneers for patients? Working with a good crown and bridge lab helps you give the best to your clients.
Is It Hard to Get Into Dental School?
Dental school is known for being hard to get into. Every year, about 12,000-15,000 students apply, but only about 6,000-6,500 students get in. So the chance of getting in is only 5-15%.
Who gets in?
- GPA: Most have over a 3.5 in science and 3.6-3.8 overall.
- DAT Scores: 20-21 is usually needed.
- Experience: Volunteering, shadowing a dentist, being in clubs helps you look good.
- Personal Story & Interview: These show you care, and that you can talk to people.
If you were a dental hygienist, assistant, or have foreign training, you might have more steps, but it’s still possible.
Is It Worth All the Schooling?
Let’s stop and think. Eight years (or more) is a long time. Owing lots of money is scary, too. So, why do people still want to do dental school?
Here’s why: Dentistry is a strong, well-liked job. Dentists have freedom, good pay, a safe job, and can help people every day.
| Job Title | Average Salary (2022, USA) |
|---|---|
| General Dentist | $163,220 per year |
| Orthodontist/Oral Surgeon | $200,000 – $300,000+ |
The U.S. government says dentist jobs will grow about 4% in the next ten years, which is pretty normal. Working for yourself is another big reason people like dentistry.
You’ll need to know how to handle money and be ready to pay back your loans. And there will always be more to learn, even after you finish school.
FAQs About Dental School
Q: Can I go to dental school with a non-science major?
A: Yes! You just need the science classes each school wants.
Q: How important are DAT scores?
A: Very important. Schools use them to pick the best students.
Q: Do I need to volunteer or shadow?
A: Yes, just about every dental school wants 100-200 hours of shadowing. Volunteering also helps.
Q: Is it worth the debt?
A: That depends. Dentists get paid well, but you’ll have to make loan payments for years.
Q: Can I work while in dental school?
A: Dental school takes so much time, most students can’t work during the year.
Key Things to Remember
- Becoming a dentist takes at least eight years—four in college, four in dental school. Specialties add even more years.
- You need good grades in science, and a solid DAT score.
- Dental school costs a lot, but you can get help from scholarships or loans.
- You’ll get real practice working on patients before you finish.
- Dentistry pays well, gives job safety, and lets you control your hours.
- You can learn more, and work in cool areas, like braces, surgery, and more.
- It’s tough to get into dental school—start early, shadow, volunteer, and keep your grades up.
- You don’t have to study science in college as long as you take the needed science classes.
- You can use new tools in dentistry, like in a digital dental lab or a crown and bridge lab.
- If you like helping people and enjoy science, being a dentist could be a great fit!
References:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Dentists page)
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
Contact your local or national dental group for the latest advice. For a peek into the dental world, learn about a [digital dental lab or crown and bridge labs for more info.]
