Any advice on getting started in dentistry?

[7g54fd6]

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[PapaGuava]

I'm beginning highschool and have been considering a dentistry for awhile, any words of wisdom from anyone in the field?

I also had a few questions:
How much math does dentistry require
How much time will it take to earn a degree
Does it pay off? Is it worth the time, money, etc.?

Thanks to anyone who can answer!

Although im only graduating highschool this year, I've grown up my highschool years with a stepfather who is a sucessful Dentist.

Dentistry is truly growing and at a good rate from what I've observed, heard, and studied. More practices and types of dentistry are being added to the whole field. My stepfather recently got into the field of lasers, which is painless and kills germs, bacteria etc. There are many opportunities for new dentists and with the veterans retiring in the next coming years, there is a push for more dentist and to get students involved in these fields. I'm not sure if i will ever get involved in Dentistry but it is a wonderful field in my opinion if you truly love it and who knows maybe i will in my college years.

 

[Toothshucker]

I'm beginning highschool and have been considering a dentistry for awhile, any words of wisdom from anyone in the field?

I also had a few questions:
How much math does dentistry require
How much time will it take to earn a degree
Does it pay off? Is it worth the time, money, etc.?

Thanks to anyone who can answer!

You have lots of time to make a decision. The only thing you should be worrying about right now is enjoying high school. If you want to learn more about dentistry, the best thing to do would be shadowing a dentist. Once you're in college, that's when you'll start putting together an a well rounded application - good gpa, good DAT score, good ECs, LOR, volunteering, shadowing (this is required by the schools), etc.

There are not a lot of math requirements for dental school right now. There is no school that requires higher than calc 2, and I'm pretty sure the highest requirement is calc 1. I don't recall statistics being a requirement at any school, but who knows, that could change in 8 years if you apply.

The traditional path is: 4 years of college + 4 years of dental school. So you would graduate dental school at 26. There is one school that is only 3 years (but year round, no long breaks) => age 25. If you are able to graduate college in 3 years, you could also shave a year off that way. If you want to continue your education at a residency (ortho, perio, omfs, gpr, etc), that adds 1-6 years depending on what you choose.

Dental education is definitely worth the time. Since you would be starting in 8 years, there's no way to predict what the student loan situation will be. In terms of loans, it's worth it right now for most people. Some people end up with $400,000 for dental school and/or $500,000+ before interest (undergrad included). Who knows what it will be like in 8 years.

Dentistry pays very well. And offers a good life style, except omfs residency

 

[nysegop]

Advice:

-Do well in high school.
-Do well in college. (And do some dental shadowing to get some experience. Just talk to a pre-health advisor when you get accepted to college)
-Get into dental school.
-Do well in dental school.

For the time being just do well and have fun. Don't worry.