Dental Years People Receive Dentist Study Pass Schools

According to the "Bureau of Labor Statistics" (part of the U.S. Department of Labor), people who want to become a dentist need to have at least two years of "pre-dental education," or "courses" (classes) related to dental work, such as biology and "human anatomy" (the study of the parts of the human body). Most people need to "obtain" (get; earn) a college degree before they apply to "dental school" where they receive specialized training.

All "aspiring" (wanting to do or have something, especially a job or position) dentists need to pass the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Dental schools consider the applicant's DAT score, GPA (grade-point average, a measure of one's academic success), "recommendations" (the opinions of people who know the candidate), and performance during an interview. In 2008, there were 57 "accredited" (recognized by a leading organization as meeting certain criteria) dental schools in the United States, and it can be difficult to "get in" (be admitted; be invited to enroll in an academic program).

Dental school usually lasts four years. The first two years are spent mostly in science courses and "lab work" (conducting experiments in a laboratory). The last two years are spent in "clinics" (medical facilities) working with patients under the "supervision" (observation and guidance) of a "licensed" (having a certification) dentist. At the end of the four years, the students receive their DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.

Finally, aspiring dentists need to pass written and "practical" (actually doing something) exams to receive a license from the states in which they wish to "practice" (work as a dentist). Specialization can require an additional two to four years of study and an additional licensing exam.