What is the level of post secondary education for a dentist?

The level of post secondary education for a dentist is a doctorate degree. A Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree typically takes four years to complete and provides students with the clinical skills necessary to practice dentistry. In addition to classroom instruction, DMD and DDS students spend a significant amount of time in laboratories and clinics applying their skills to real-world situations. They complete hundreds of hours of supervised patient care as a part of their clinical training. Upon completion of dental school, dentists must also successfully pass board examinations and obtain a license in order to practice. Depending on the jurisdiction, a dentist may continue their education, training, and specialization following dental school in a dental residency before practicing, especially to specialize in an area such as endodontics (root canal therapy), orthodontics (braces/teeth straightening), pediatric dentistry (serving children's needs), and more.