DDS degree requirements?

What are the general requirements to get a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree? How many years does it typically take and what courses should I focus on in college?

To obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, you will need to follow a multi-step process that generally takes around 8 years to complete. Here is a breakdown of the steps and requirements involved:

1. Bachelor's degree (4 years): First, you should earn a bachelor's degree, which typically takes 4 years. Many dental schools don't require a specific major, but they do have prerequisite coursework. Common pre-dental requirements include courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math. You may consider majoring in a science field such as biology or chemistry to easily fulfill these requirements, although you can also major in something else and fulfill your pre-dental requirements through electives.

2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT): Dental schools require applicants to take the DAT, which measures your academic ability and scientific understanding. Many students take the exam during their junior or early senior year of college. Preparing for the DAT may involve enrolling in a prep course or using online resources to study.

3. Apply to dental schools: Use the American Dental Education Association's Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) to submit applications to dental schools in the United States. In addition to ensuring that you've completed the dental education prerequisites, dental schools typically look at your GPA, DAT scores, extracurricular activities, clinical experience or shadowing hours, and letters of recommendation.

4. Attend dental school (4 years): Once accepted into a dental school, it takes an additional 4 years to complete the DDS program. The first two years usually focus on foundational sciences and preclinical training, while the last two years involve clinical practice and rotations in various dental specialties.

5. Licensure: After graduating with a DDS degree, you must pass a national board examination (National Board Dental Examination) and a state or regional clinical board exam before you can practice dentistry in your state. Licensure requirements vary by state, so be sure to familiarize yourself with your state's specific requirements.

6. Optional specialty training and certification: If you're interested in a dental specialty such as orthodontics, endodontics, or pediatric dentistry, you'll need to complete additional postgraduate residency programs that typically last 2-4 years. Each specialty also has its own board certification process.

In summary, the typical pathway to earning a DDS degree takes around 8 years, with 4 years for a bachelor's degree and another 4 years of dental school. Pre-dental college coursework should focus on fulfilling prerequisite requirements, which usually include courses in the sciences. After dental school, you will need to acquire a license to practice, and optionally, you can pursue further specialization in a dental subfield, in which case your overall journey would take longer than 8 years.

Best of luck with your pursuit of a career as a dentist!