The dental profession is one of the most popular specialties in the medical field. Every year, the number of students who want to study dentistry is increasing worldwide. That’s why it can be difficult to get into dental training programs, and getting a quality undergraduate education becomes especially important for successful job placement.
Dentistry can be studied in colleges, dentistry schools, and universities. That said, the quality of the education you receive will determine your future specialization. The three main specialties in the field of dentistry are dental assistant, cosmetic dentist, and dentists.
Dental assistant
A dental assistant is a lower-level professional in the profession. Earning a diploma or associate’s degree in this specialization can usually be completed in 1-2 years. A high school education, which can be obtained from a college, technical school, or dentistry school, is sufficient to perform such work. For the specialization, students take courses such as clinical practice concepts, dental assisting, medical ethics and principles, oral radiography, infection control, and dental materials.
Aesthetic dentist
To begin working as a cosmetic dentist, you must have at least an Associates degree. It takes 2-3 years to obtain this qualification. However, such education is usually not enough for career growth, development and good salaries. Most students earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cosmetic dentistry, after which they become eligible to practice not only as doctors, but also as teachers and researchers.
Bachelor’s degree programs last 4 years, Master’s degree programs – 2 years. The academic program includes subjects such as clinical practice, dental anatomy, clinical hygiene, periodontics, dental radiology, oral pathology, and so on
Dentist
Dental specialty training is the most serious and time-consuming in the field of dentistry. Obtaining an academic qualification usually takes between 4 years, after which most young dentists go into working practice, which lasts between 2 and 6 years. Throughout their training, students master both the theory and practice of working with patients.
There are two most common academic qualifications in this specialty – Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). To qualify, it is mandatory to study disciplines such as clinical practice and medical ethics, immunology, infection control, dental surgery, oral periodontics and radiology, orthodontics, anesthesiology, and so on
Because there are so many students who want to study dentistry – an additional entrance exam, such as the Dental Admission Test (DAT), is usually required for admission to the course. After graduation and work experience, you must also pass the testing and obtain the license required to begin your professional career. For example, in the United States, you need to pass the National Board Dental Examination.
