How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist?

Similar to how long it takes to become a doctor, becoming a dentist takes between 8-10 years.

This timeline is based on the time it takes to get an undergraduate degree (four years); plus, the time it takes to finish dental school (another four years).

Here is one of our consultant’s experiences becoming a dentist – it took her 11 years – but she explains why!

“My fate [to become a dentist] was set from a young age. When I was a child, my dentist had a wall of Polaroid pictures of children after their first dental visit. The wall consisted mostly of crying faces. If you searched the wall for my photo, you were met with a huge smile and a double thumbs up! I went on to complete four years of undergrad at Boston University, then a two-year master’s program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (now Rutgers), then completed four years of dental school at Case Western Reserve University. I also did a one-year General Practice Residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center after graduating dental school. That’s 11 years of higher education for me to become a dentist!" - Dr. Amanda Thompson, General Dentist, Case Western Reserve University

Unlike medical school graduates who have to complete at least one year of residency to take their licensing exams, dental school graduates have more choices after graduation.

You can either:

• Get certified in a dental specialty or sub-specialty
• Take either a hospital or community-based residency program
• Enter private dental practice

If you decide on the first two options, you’ll usually spend another year or two in training or performing your residency, which will add more time to your timeline. But if you decide to enter private practice by yourself or with a group of other dentists, then you can start practicing as soon as you pass your licensing exams.

Whichever path you take is based on the goals you set for yourself back when you were asking yourself, ‘why do you want to be a dentist?’ Of course, the goals you set yourself can always change, especially during dental school.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist: Traditional Student (~ 8 Years in Total)

Undergraduate Degree (4 years)

One of the most universal dental school requirements is having a four-year bachelor’s degree. Although, there are exceptions. Many dental schools in both Canada and the US will accept applications from students with at least 90 credits completed and a GPA above a certain threshold – 3.5, for example.

Choosing to go to a dental school without prerequisites is one way that you could possibly shorten the time it takes to become a dentist.

The most common type of dental school prerequisites are science-based and cover:

• Biology
• Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
• Physics

Depending on the dental school, they may require more prerequisites in non-science areas such as the humanities, English or psychology. But if you are able to cover at least the three science-based courses and get grades at or above C or C- then you will still be a viable applicant, provided you cover other important aspects, such as getting enough dental school extracurriculars and having a significant number of dentist shadowing hours.

“I shadowed a general dentist and an oral surgeon prior to applying to dental school. I loved seeing how the general dentist moved seamlessly from appointment to appointment, each different from the last. I enjoyed seeing the technical aspects of oral surgery. It amazed me that it took more time to administer the anesthesia than it did to extract four wisdom teeth. Seeing these providers in their element made me want to combine science, art, and connection even more!” – Dr. Amanda Thompson, General Dentist, Case Western Reserve University

Knowing how to shadow a dentist is something you need to learn in order to get the most from the experience, as many dental schools now have a certain number of shadowing hours you have to complete to apply.

Dental School (4 Years)

As of this writing there are only two dental schools in the United States that offer accelerated three-year programs:

1. Roseman University College of Dentistry
2. University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry

Three-year dental schools are not as widespread as 3-year medical schools, so, unless you attend one of these two schools, you’ll be in dental school 4 years – there is no real ‘fast track’ in dentistry, nor should there be!

Medical and dental schools last four years for a reason – to prepare you for a challenging, high-stakes profession where you are responsible for the health and well-being of patients. In dental school, as in medical school, your four years are usually divided in two:

• Preclinical years (first two years) – where you are introduced to the science and art of dentistry, through classes, lectures, seminars and labs
• Clinical years (last two years) – where you interact directly with patients and learn more about patient care, management, while also performing rounds at local hospitals and clinics

For many, including our own consultant, Amanda, working with patients is the best part of the process (and, of becoming) a dentist:

“I love the connection dentistry provides me. I really enjoy seeing patients every 6 months, sometimes more often. You get to know your patients personally and form wonderful bonds.” - Dr. Amanda Thompson, General Dentist, Case Western Reserve University

Every dental school will have variations on this curriculum. Some dental schools pride themselves on introducing you to direct-patient care in your first year. Others emphasize the longitudinal nature of their curricula, as they introduce different aspects of being a dentist and healthcare, in general, such as public health and social determinants to health, throughout the entirety of your four years.

A dental school advisor can help you navigate the application process:

Should I Do a Dental Residency?

Only a small percentage of US dental graduates pursue residency programs, mainly due to the additional cost.

The following is a list of the many different specialties within dentistry that you can get certified in, if you decide to pursue a particular specialty.

• Oral Medicine: 2-3 years
• Oral Surgery: 4-6 years
• Orthodontics: 2-3 years
• Prosthodontics: 2-3 years
• Pediatrics: 2-3 years
• General Practice: 1 year
• Endodontics: 2-3 years
• Periodontics: 2-3 years
• Dental Anesthesia: 3 years
• Oral Radiology: 2-3 years

You only need your DDS or DMD to be able to write the Integrated National Board Dental Examination in the US. In Canada, the process is similar for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada Exam. And, unlike medical residencies, where residents are paid, most dental residencies require payment from applicants, making immediate practice more financially appealing.

While specialty certification may yield higher earnings in the long run, the initial investment in time and money can pose challenges, impacting loan repayment and income. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist: Non-Traditional/Mature Student (~4-6 years)

Mature students, typically over 25, may face unique circumstances in their journey to becoming a dentist, influenced by factors like gap years since leaving school.

For those out of school for less than five years, the process generally takes around four years, encompassing DAT preparation, building a DAT study schedule, and potential pre-dental coursework.

However, if out of school for more than five years, additional time, typically one to two years, may be needed for prerequisite completion, potentially extending the how long it takes to become a dentist to five or six years.

Post-Bacc/Health Professions Certificate (1-2 years)

The good thing about most post-bacc programs is that they usually only last one year, maybe two, depending on the program. The downside is that they also charge tuition, even though it is not as expensive as four years of dental school.

You’ll find that programs can charge anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000. But many post-bacc programs are aimed at people from disadvantaged and historically underrepresented communities, so you may be eligible for scholarships or grants if the program has specific criteria for incoming students.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist: International Dental Graduates (2 years)

International graduates seeking to pursue dentistry in the US or Canada face challenges due to accreditation standards and citizenship requirements.

While some schools offer alternative tracks for foreign dental school graduates, the process typically involves additional training to align with North American standards.

For instance, programs like the University of Alabama's International Dentist Program (IDP) provide preparatory courses before integration into the domestic curriculum, facilitating a smoother transition into the cultural and professional aspects of dentistry in the US. Upon completion, graduates receive the same credentials as domestic students, enabling them to pursue licensure and practice in the region.

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To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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