In the United States, dentists must complete a bachelor's degree, four years of dental school, and pass a national board exam to practice. Dental school includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical experience. Graduates of dental school earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
A college diploma is required to apply to dental school. Most dental schools require applicants to have completed a bachelor's degree in a science-related field, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Some dental schools also accept applicants with bachelor's degrees in other fields, such as liberal arts or business. However, these applicants may need to complete additional science coursework before they can be admitted to dental school.
