I want to be a dentist. Where do I start?!

I want to be a dentist. Where do I start?

This is something I've been thinking about for quite some time now.

I'm in my mid 20's, I have a B.S. in management, and I'm resigning my commission in the Air Force in two months (honorable discharge).

Where do I start? What are some good schools? What are my chances?

AFJosh:

You might want to consider staying in the Air Force.. The USAF has a Health Professions Scholarship program that will pay your dental school tuition bill, and that is quite substantial-- We are talking anywhere from $150,000 (at a state-funded school) to $300,000 (at a private university school) in return for a commitment to stay in the service for a number of years after you earn your DDS.

12 of my classmates in dental school did it in the HPS program and I think they got a really good deal.

You might want to talk to someone in the Air Force Dental Corps (how about the dentist officers in the Medical Group in your unit?) and see if you can get time off to take pre-dental courses, take your DAT, and apply to dental school.

Hope this helps!