advice about dentistry

[Curious 138]

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Hello there. I have some questions regarding dentistry and I was hoping you could answer them for me.
I grew up in Vietnam around medicine. Both my grandparents were pharmacists, both my parents were pharmacist techs and my uncle graduated as a doctor. There's a lot of push and pull for me to aim for medical school or pharmacy school and I've always thought I would go into one of the two. Lately, however, dentistry is what really interest me. I'm 16 and a freshman in college (doing post-secondary). Do you have any advice regarding what classes I should take or just advice in general in regard to the dental path? I don't really know much when it comes to this topic.
-Thank you.
Nguyen

 

[DINI]

Hello there. I have some questions regarding dentistry and I was hoping you could answer them for me.
I grew up in Vietnam around medicine. Both my grandparents were pharmacists, both my parents were pharmacist techs and my uncle graduated as a doctor. There's a lot of push and pull for me to aim for medical school or pharmacy school and I've always thought I would go into one of the two. Lately, however, dentistry is what really interest me. I'm 16 and a freshman in college (doing post-secondary). Do you have any advice regarding what classes I should take or just advice in general in regard to the dental path? I don't really know much when it comes to this topic.
-Thank you.
Nguyen

first of all how do you know you like dentistry? you should volunteer somewhere and find out for yourself. Don't do anything for your anyone...you do it for yourself. You don't need to make your final dicision now...take the following classes
OCHM-1 and 2
Gchem-1 and 2
Bio-1 and 2
Basic math and trig
Maybe a psychology (some schools actually require this course)
Work on your perceptual ability by practicing
last but not least, talk to your health advisor or get a hold of your health science club at your college and find out exactly what courses you need to take
BTW, by the time you take your DAT, there will be even more competition and you need to have a bachelor's...pick a major that you like and take your pre-reqs at the same time...
DON'T forget about volunteering a lot of hours and do community work. good luck

 

[yorkiepoo]

Basic math and trig

I really don't know about that. I think 1 semester of Calculus is basically standard as a requirement plus 1 semester other math.

I'd go for 2 semesters Calc or 1 Calc and 1 Stats or something else

 

[NewMexDent]

I really don't know about that. I think 1 semester of Calculus is basically standard as a requirement plus 1 semester other math.

I'd go for 2 semesters Calc or 1 Calc and 1 Stats or something else

Really? I think you just need 1 semester of math - Stats of Calc.

 

[NewMexDent]

Really? I think you just need 1 semester of math - Stats of Calc.

Oh, and to the OP - take some time and figure out what you are really interested in - don't rush into a career or you may end up unhappy. Get out there and experience life - travel is my suggestion - before you decide what you want to do.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Hello there. I have some questions regarding dentistry and I was hoping you could answer them for me.
I grew up in Vietnam around medicine. Both my grandparents were pharmacists, both my parents were pharmacist techs and my uncle graduated as a doctor. There's a lot of push and pull for me to aim for medical school or pharmacy school and I've always thought I would go into one of the two. Lately, however, dentistry is what really interest me. I'm 16 and a freshman in college (doing post-secondary). Do you have any advice regarding what classes I should take or just advice in general in regard to the dental path? I don't really know much when it comes to this topic.
-Thank you.
Nguyen

Being Vietnamese and having my father as an MD as well as being around his MD friends, I can understand your situation. Parents always want the best for their childdren so the default career that they want their children to have is medicine. I cannot tell you how many times Vietnamese parents would tell me " We want so and so to become a doctor" and this kid is barely in highschool ! Infact, many of my dad's friends asked him " Why don't you let him study medicine?" when they found out I was in dental school. So you see, the pressure the parents place on their kids can be tremendous. From my experience growing up, in most cases, if the father/mother is a physician, it is EXPECTED that their children become physicians too. As good as their intention maybe, their pressure can be so detrimental to their children. There is nothing worse than having a career that you hate. My parents never pushed me into medicine (see my SDN profile) and I am glad for that. I can tell you that I am so blessed with my career now and I would not trade anything for it. So you need to see what is right for you. If it ends up in medicine then that's good for your parents. If you find other careers then it's too bad for them. It is your life that you are living, not theirs. This is the time for you to explore about different careers and do not rush into making a big mistake. DP

 

[Montserrat]

Being Vietnamese and having my father as an MD as well as being around his MD friends, I can understand your situation. Parents always want the best for their childdren so the default career that they want their children to have is medicine. I cannot tell you how many times Vietnamese parents would tell me " We want so and so to become a doctor" and this kid is barely in highschool ! Infact, many of my dad's friends asked him " Why don't you let him study medicine?" when they found out I was in dental school. So you see, the pressure the parents place on their kids can be tremendous. From my experience growing up, in most cases, if the father/mother is a physician, it is EXPECTED that their children become physicians too. As good as their intention maybe, their pressure can be so detrimental to their children. There is nothing worse than having a career that you hate. My parents never pushed me into medicine (see my SDN profile) and I am glad for that. I can tell you that I am so blessed with my career now and I would not trade anything for it. So you need to see what is right for you. If it ends up in medicine then that's good for your parents. If you find other careers then it's too bad for them. It is your life that you are living, not theirs. This is the time for you to explore about diffefent careers and do not rush into making a big mistake. DP

Yeah... pretty much what Dr. Phan said. My dad is Vietnamese, so I can understand the pressure. From what I've seen, a lot of viet and half viet progeny out there should start a support group and rebel against the "expected norms," as far as vocation.

To get to know dentistry better, call up a local dentist, and ask if you can volunteer at his/her practice. It can be something structured/unstructured, and the older dentists I have spoken to seemed quite happy to have me come in, observe, and ask questions.

As far as coursework, you requisite courses will vary a bit from school to school, but the must haves are usually intro to bio I and II, gen chem I and II, calculus, english, organic chem I and II, and biochem seems to be a growing fad. I would ask your career services department about their information on dental schools and coursework, consult your academic advisor, and then decide how you want to map out your courses in the coming years so that you won't feel overwhelmed in any one semester. Good luck dude.