What qualification do you need for a dentist?
- Bachelor's degree: Most dental schools require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in any field. Some common majors for predental students include biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Dental school: After completing a bachelor's degree, students must complete four years of dental school. Dental school includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and other dental topics. Students also gain clinical experience by working with patients under the supervision of licensed dentists.
Licensing requirements:
- National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE): All dentists in the United States must pass the NBDE, which is a three-part exam that covers basic sciences, clinical sciences, and patient management.
- State licensure: In addition to passing the NBDE, dentists must also obtain a license to practice in each state where they wish to work. State licensing requirements vary, but they typically include passing a state jurisprudence exam, completing a certain amount of continuing education credits, and undergoing a background check.
Additional qualifications:
- Residency: Some dentists choose to complete a residency program after dental school. Residencies provide advanced training in a specific area of dentistry, such as oral surgery, orthodontics, or pediatric dentistry.
- Continuing education: Dentists are required to complete a certain amount of continuing education credits each year in order to maintain their license. Continuing education courses help dentists stay up-to-date on the latest advances in dentistry.
Personal qualities:
In addition to educational and licensing requirements, dentists also need certain personal qualities in order to be successful. These qualities include:
- Compassion: Dentists must be able to understand and empathize with their patients' concerns.
- Communication skills: Dentists must be able to communicate effectively with patients, staff, and other healthcare professionals.
- Dexterity: Dentists must have good manual dexterity in order to perform dental procedures.
- Problem-solving skills: Dentists must be able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
- Attention to detail: Dentists must be able to pay close attention to detail in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.
Career outlook:
The job outlook for dentists is expected to be excellent over the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for dentists will grow by 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by increasing demand for dental services as the population ages and more people seek preventive care.