Education · 1 of 4

The path

Ten or eleven years after high school. You qualify as a dentist first, then specialize.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry and physics, plus anything that trains your hands. Dexterity is tested at every stage.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, as long as you finish the science prerequisites and take the Dental Admission Test.

3. 3

   Dental school

   4 years

   Four years for a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. The two are the same qualification with different names.

4. 4

   State licensure

   Final year and after

   Pass the national written dental exam and a clinical examination, then register with your state dental board.

5. 5

   Endodontics residency

   2 to 3 years

   A postdoctoral program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Microscopes, surgery, and hundreds of supervised cases.

6. 6

   Board certification, optional

   After residency

   The American Board of Endodontics grants Diplomate status after written and oral examinations. Not required to practice, but it is the mark of the field.