How to Become a Dentist: My Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

• Focusing on Core Subjects
• Extracurricular Activities & Early Exposure

• Choosing a Major & Must-Have Prerequisites
• Keeping Your GPA High
• Getting Relevant Experience (Shadowing, Volunteering, Research, Hobbies)

• Understanding the DAT
• How I Prepared for the DAT
• When to Take the DAT

• Application Services and Components
• Crafting My Personal Statement
• The Importance of Interviews and Picking Schools

• DDS vs. DMD
• The Dental School Curriculum
• Developing Clinical Skills

• The National and State Board Exams
• Handling State-Specific Requirements

• Completing a Residency or Advanced Training
• Exploring Dental Specialties

• Job Outlook and Average Salary
• Work-Life Balance and Practice Settings
• Continuing Education

Introduction: The Start of My Dental Journey

If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a bunch of time searching for exactly what you need to do to become a dentist. When I first started thinking about dentistry, I just wanted a simple map. I didn’t want a bunch of confusing words. I wanted steps, real stories, and a little encouragement for the hard parts. This article is the thing I wish I had at the beginning.

Below, I’ll take you through every part of the process—from working hard in high school to getting your dental license and more. I’ve added lessons I learned, things from real students (who got feedback from professionals like Dr. Joe Dental), and tips you don’t find in college flyers.

Let’s get started—your road to dentistry begins here.

Laying the Foundation in High School

Focusing on Core Subjects

Back in high school, I didn’t know how useful all those science and math classes would be. Looking back, my teachers were serious: biology, chemistry, and physics are the basics for what you’ll face later in college and dental school. If you can take AP or honors, do it—it helps you get ready for tough college science, and schools like seeing you work hard.

Math matters too. You’ll need it in labs or when you measure things for dental tools, whether it’s at a digital dental lab or in class.

Extracurricular Activities & Early Exposure

School isn’t everything. In my early years, I joined science clubs, helped out at local clinics, and found ways to get good with my hands—like playing guitar and building model planes. These things matter. Dentists need steady hands, but schools also want to see that you can work with people and be part of a team.

After my sophomore year, I asked a family friend, who was a dentist, if I could watch him work for a week. That was awesome. If you can, reach out to local dentists or clinics. Even just watching will show you what really happens every day.

Excelling in Undergraduate Studies (The Pre-Dental Track)

Choosing a Major & Must-Have Prerequisites

When I got to college, I thought I had to major in “Pre-Dental.” That’s not true! Most people pick biology or chemistry, but some choose engineering, psychology, or even music! What matters is that you finish the classes you need:

• General Biology (with lab)
• General Chemistry (with lab)
• Organic Chemistry (with lab)
• Physics (with lab)
• English or Writing
• Biochemistry (more and more schools want it)
• Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology (these help a lot)

Each school is a little different, so always check. Your pre-health advisor is important—mine helped me avoid missing a physics lab that could’ve set me back.

Keeping Your GPA High

Let’s talk grades. Dental schools look at your science GPA almost as much as your total GPA. It’s really competitive. The usual accepted student has a GPA of 3.5 or better. If you have a bad semester, don’t freak out—just get back on track. I had to work hard after getting a C+ in organic chemistry, but I brought it up by asking for help and spending extra time in lab.

Getting Relevant Experience

Shadowing

Shadowing isn’t just something to check off—it shows you what being a dentist is really like. I did about 120 hours in three offices (general, ortho, and kids’ dentistry)—and I kept a notebook for each visit, writing what I saw and what I learned.

Volunteering and Community Service

Schools want proof that you care about others. I helped at a free clinic on weekends and also spent time at a nursing home. Being kind and helping is just as important as skills (you’ll see).

Research Experience

Many don’t think of doing research, but it makes your app stronger. I joined a lab that studied mouth bacteria. Even if you’re unsure, try it. It shows you like to learn and stick with hard stuff.

Manual Dexterity Hobbies

Schools love seeing hobbies that need hand skills. I liked painting and 3D modeling. Friends played piano or did origami or woodworking. You’d be surprised how these things help later.

Conquering the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Understanding the DAT

The DAT (Dental Admission Test) was really hard for me. It’s a big test on natural sciences, how well you see and understand shapes, reading, and math. Most U.S. and Canadian schools want it. The average accepted score is about 19 or 20 out of 30.

How I Prepared for the DAT

I spent the summer before my junior year just studying. I used online courses, old tests, and made a study group. Best advice: practice like it’s the real test and work on what you’re not good at. For me, the shape/space section was tough, so I did puzzle books and tracing to get better.

When to Take the DAT

Most people take it after finishing the key science classes, usually in the middle of college. I took mine in June after my third year, so I’d have time if I needed to try again before the applications started.

Navigating the Dental School Application Process

Application Services and Components

To apply, you use the American Dental Education Association’s AADSAS system. It’s like a hub for everything: school records, test scores, essays, letters, and your experiences.

• Transcripts: Send from every college, no skipping.
• DAT Scores: Sent straight from the ADA.
• Personal Statement: The most important essay you’ll write.

Crafting My Personal Statement

I spent weeks fixing my personal statement. My tip? Don’t just say you want to “help people.” Share what got you into this, what you learned while shadowing, and how hard times made you stronger. Ask people you trust to read it. My best draft happened after a dentist told me to start with a story, not just a long list.

The Importance of Interviews and Picking Schools

If you get interviews—good job! I visited four schools. Each felt different, so ask lots of questions about seeing patients, school culture, and extra things like research or volunteering. Good schools are approved by the [Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)], which you’ll need later for your license.

Some schools let you apply early or finish faster—if you want that, ask early.

Life Inside Dental School (DDS or DMD Program)

DDS vs. DMD

You might wonder: DDS or DMD? The difference is just the name. Both mean you’ve learned and done the same things. That’s confirmed by dentists like Dr. Joe Dental.

The Dental School Curriculum

Years 1–2: Didactic and Pre-Clinical Years

Dental school starts with a lot of basic science—anatomy (lots on the head and neck), biochemistry, microbiology, and body systems. My first year felt like college, with lots of classes and labs. By year two, I was in the sim lab, practicing drilling on plastic teeth. Having a good hand drill saved me a lot of pain.

Years 3–4: Clinical Training

Now you get to work with real patients at school, rotating through all types of dental work: regular dentistry, kids, surgery, root canals, gum health, fake teeth, and even helping the community. Helping my first patient was amazing—I still remember the look on their face after I put in the crown I made at the crown and bridge lab.

Developing Clinical Skills

Dental school isn’t just about books. You learn how to talk to people, make quick choices, and fix problems. Those hand-work hobbies really help! And you’ll become great at managing time—juggling classes, clinic, and studying for tests.

Earning Licensure: Exams & State Requirements

The National and State Board Exams

You need to pass both written and hands-on exams to be a real dentist. I started with the National Board Dental Exam (now called INBDE)—it covers everything learned in school. Next, you take a local hands-on exam to show you can treat people safely.

Handling State-Specific Requirements

Every state is a bit different—some want you to take a law test, others want more classes or background checks. Get in touch with your state dental board early. Because I went to college out of state, I had to do extra paperwork.

If you want to work in another state or country, check the rules first—sometimes it’s easy, sometimes not.

Post-Doctoral Training & Specializing in Dentistry

Completing a Residency or Advanced Training

Some dentists start working right after school and passing their test, but many do extra training. I did a General Practice Residency (GPR) to get better with tough cases and more surgery.

Some go into an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). Both are good if you want more experience, especially with hospital work or if you want to keep learning.

Exploring Dental Specialties

If you want to do things like braces, root canals, kids’ dental, surgeries, fake teeth, or gum health, you need more training. These programs are tough to get into. They look at grades, class rank, test scores, letters, and research.

A friend of mine became an orthodontist after doing two years of research and shadowing at a china dental lab. That helped a lot during his interviews.

What to Expect as a Dentist

Job Outlook and Average Salary

Now, for the part everyone wonders about. Dentists are usually in the top jobs for job security. The American Dental Association says jobs will keep growing because people need dental care, especially older folks.

Pay is different in each area, but most U.S. dentists make between $150,000 and $200,000 each year. Specialties like surgery or braces usually pay more, but you go to school longer.

Work-Life Balance and Practice Settings

Dentistry has choices: private offices, group clinics, public health, the military, teaching, or company jobs. You can often pick your hours. I know dentists who work just four days a week, and some who run more than one office. You might also work with a dental ceramics lab or a denture lab to help fix smiles fast.

Continuing Education

Learning never stops. Most states want you to keep training as you work. Some dentists learn about new tools (like 3D-printing at 3d dental lab), while others take up new specialties or teach.

Dentistry is great for people who love learning forever. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

Conclusion: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Becoming a dentist isn’t easy. It takes work, patience, and a real wish to help. Looking back, every late night, every weekend helping out, every hour in the practice lab got me ready for a job I love.

If you’re just starting, remember: everyone’s story is a bit different. Use what makes you unique. Ask for help, find mentors, and remember, both hard times and little wins matter.

You’re starting out on a path that can help others—and change your own life too. Start building your base now, and don’t let fear stop you. People always need good dentists. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the one giving advice to the next group.

This article is from my own experience and tips from professionals like Dr. Joe Dental. Every step is another brick toward your future. Go in confident, and good luck!