Can anyone tell me how to go into dentistry,i know we have to do pre-dentistry 1!
Question:
Can anyone tell me how to go into dentistry,i know we have to do pre-dentistry 1st,but wht after that,& time?
i was thinking of being a dentist. i found that i need to do pre-dentistry,,but how long does it take,,and where do i go after doing pre-dentistry,,
Answers:
Be prepared for an incredible amount of work, both in college(undergrad) and dental school. You can major in just about anything, but you need to have all the correct courses to be considered for admission. Your best bet major is a science major -- biology, chemistry, or physics. Take as much science as you can. Many courses in dental school are virtually repetitive ones that you would have taken in undergrad (e.g. microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy & physiology). This will make your study load alot easier -- you'll need to with the amount of work you'll get in dental school. Plain and simple: IT'S TOUGH!!!
Plan on 4 yrs each of undergrad and dental school. To specialize, up to 5 or 6 yrs more beyond dental school, depending on the specialty (oral surgery is the most length of time). If you live in a state that has a school of dentistry (as a state university), you might get a break in tuition if you are a resident of that state.
Now for the honest truth for me, since I am a dentist and have been practicing for 24 yrs, would I do this all over again ??
NO WAY! ! I hate to say it, but it's true. If you are in it for the
money, you really should consider medical school instead. You'll put in the same amount of time and effort into that as well. I do have a fairly successful practice and am doing well, but running a practice has alot of headaches (but that's another chapter in this book!!).
Anyway, best of luck to you. Hope I gave you a good starting idea.