Hey! Guys, If I want to become a dentist, where should I go?

[EBHSSAT]

<p>I’m trying to go In-state College and take another major, such as Economic or Pharmacy. Then, i just need to have the requirements and take
dentist examination(?) in my junior year of college. I don’t know the name</p>

<p>of the test or should I just go to another college that has strong
dental program?</p>

[warblersrule]

<p>

Before making a decision to become a dentist, find out about the profession. Job shadow or volunteer at your family dentist’s office, or visit a dental specialist such as at an orthodontist’s or pediatric dentist’s office. Contact your local dental society. (The American Dental Association (ADA) can provide contact information for the dental societies). Find out if there are any programs for high school or college students at nearby dental schools.</p>

<p>While in high school, get a broad exposure to math and science; enroll in college preparatory courses such as chemistry, biology and algebra. Liberal arts courses are helpful also. General biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and physics are recommended courses to take in college. Majoring in science is not a must, but completion of the predental science requirements is necessary. A college undergraduate degree is recommended in preparation for dental school. Most dental students have completed four years of college.</p>

<p>Contact several dental schools and find out about the school’s specific admission requirements. A counselor or advisor who is knowledgeable about the health professions can assist you with dentistry career information. Ask about the kind of courses you should be taking and other admission information. Many science or predental clubs are available to offer additional information on dental careers.</p>

<p>Admissions committees review credentials such as academic qualifications, the results from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), grade point average (GPA), information from letters of evaluation, personal interviews and dental office shadowing experiences. Keep in mind that these are general admissions criteria and other admission requirements can vary from school to school.</p>

<p>It is recommended that students take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) a year prior to seeking admission to dental school. This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. Completion of at least one year of college-level courses in biology, and general and organic chemistry is recommended for participation in the examination program. Information on the Dental Admission Test is available at on our web site.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ada.org%5B/url%5D”>www.ada.org</a>
<a href=“http://www.ada.org/public/education/careers/index.asp[/url]”>Internal Server Error | American Dental Association;
<a href=“http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp[/url]”>www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp</a></p>

[gatordan]

<p>if you just want to be a regular practicing dentist, I don’t think it makes much difference where you went to dental school. Just like doctors, who here actually knows where their dentist when to school? As long as you can pass any required boards or whatever you need to do for dental school, you just set up your practice and work for yourself.</p>

[UndeadRussian]

<p>Go to a school you’ll enjoy going to, I don’t think there’s a “top dental school” per se.</p>

[CondePrestigioso]

<p>Two schools you want to try to get into are Tufts and Johns Hopkins. Tufts, in particular, has a fantastic quality and reputation in the field of dentistry.</p>

[Shark_bite]

<p>Yeah, but if you get a degree from a top college like harvard (medicine) you can be much more successful in private practice.</p>

[Mike99]

<p>tufts is a great education, and i would much rather attend tufts then harvard … tufts has a nationally renowned dental school and even offers some combined admissions for undergrad and dental school for qualified applicants. </p>

<p>trust me, when u go to a dentist , do you run up to the wall and see where that D.D.S. or D.M.D. is from? Probably not, you just go in and see if he/she is a nice person who does a good job on your teeth at a reasonable price. </p>

<p>In the end I’d rather have the SUNY Stonybrook graduate fixing a cavity for me then a Harvard graduate, because the Stonybrook graduate would probably be nicer, cheaper, and more down-to-earth.</p>

[emadz89]

<p>yea i agree ^^ i’m goin into dentistry myself and i’m aimin towards UCLA but if I don’t get in, ill just go somewhere else.</p>

[CondePrestigioso]

<p>I think Shark_bite was referring to gatordan’s post.</p>

<p>I know that most people don’t pay attention to the degrees of their particular dentist; however, I believe that it is safe to assume that a dental degree from Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Harvard Med, etc is the result of of a better education in the field, the learning of the newest techniques, etc. But, I could be wrong, and maybe most schools could provide a very similar education.</p>

[gatordan]

<p>how do you say it results in a better private practice? what advantages would it give you, considering the vast majority of patients don’t know or care where their dentist went to school.</p>

[Fandango]

<p>If you’re considering a combined degree program, check out the programs offered by University of Pacific (<a href=“http://www.uop.edu)%5B/url%5D”>www.uop.edu)</a>, Penn, and NYU.</p>

[kchen]

<p>University of the Pacific has a really nice Accelerated Dental Program. Pretty competitive.</p>

[evanescenteuphoria]

<p>let me warn you that i remember hearing in psychology class and confirming on various site mention that dentists might have one of the higest suicide rates. although there is no conclusive and reliable data, that dentists have one of the highests suicide rates is a common belief.</p>

[kchen]

<p>^ Way to go on killing someone’s dream right there…</p>

[EBHSSAT]

<p>What? that does not help evanescenteuphona.</p>

[Samian_Quazi]

<p>yeah, NYu has a BA/DDS program i believe</p>

[Shark_bite]

<p>Im not saying Harvard med makes you a better doctor, its just that when you go in for plastic surgery in beverly hills, you might want to have a harvard grad checking you out.</p>

<p>bascially you can advertise better and convince people you know what you are doing.</p>

[Spetsnaz_Op]

<p>

@lolololol

let me warn you that i remember hearing in psychology class and confirming on various site mention that dentists might have one of the higest suicide rates. although there is no conclusive and reliable data, that dentists have one of the highests suicide rates is a common belief.

</p>

<p>Lol…so? I doubt it is because of their job…if they are a dentist chances are they would be smart enough to change careers before killing themselves. Maybe it attracts a certain kind of person? lol</p>

[Jlime18]

<p>Yeah I was just gonna say I heard how suicidal they are.</p>

[gatordan]

<p>

Im not saying Harvard med makes you a better doctor, its just that when you go in for plastic surgery in beverly hills, you might want to have a harvard grad checking you out.

</p>

<p>95% of doctors do not practice in circumstances like that, of course if you’re looking to do research than the name will help, and maybe for the elite sugeons like that, but few doctors practice like that, most just own small practices where it would make no difference where you go to school.</p>