Education · 1 of 5
The path
Eight years after high school, and the hard part is getting in, not getting through.
- 1
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Any major, but finish the required biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with high grades.
- 2
Dental Admission Test
Junior year of college
A national exam covering sciences, reading and perceptual ability. The perceptual section tests spatial reasoning, not memory.
- 3
Apply through the national service
A year before you start
Most schools use the application service run by the American Dental Education Association, which sends one application to many schools.
- 4
Dental school
4 years
Four years for a DDS (doctor of dental surgery) or DMD (doctor of dental medicine). They are the same degree with different names.
- 5
Board exams and state license
Final year plus a few months
The Integrated National Board Dental Examination, a hands-on clinical exam, and registration with your state dental board.