Getting into Dentistry....

[Ann]

Hi there denistry people,
My name is Ann and I'm currently studying dentistry in Sydney, Australia.

I'm just wondering, what do you guys have to do to get into dentistry there?

Here in Australia (NSW) you have to get an undergrad degree (any), sit for a 7hr test called the GAMSAT, go for an interview then go for a wax carving and wire bending test.

Is entry that complex in the US and Canada?

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[UBTom]

Hi!

Here in the U.S., if one wants to become a dentist, one has to finish at least 90 credit-hours of university education first (such as in a bachelor's degree program), fulfill the course requirements, take the Dental Admissions Test (also an all-day exam encompassing reading comprehension, mathematics, biology and chemistry, and spatial perception), then apply to dental school.

If someone does all that without any interruptions in one's education, one can graduate from dental school with a DDS/DMD degree around age 25.

Glad to see someone studying dentistry in a country other than the U.S./Canada on this board!

 

[Ann]

Thanks, glad to be on board.

One more question.....

Once your in Dentistry over there, how long do you have to study for before you get your degree, and how many years before you start to practice?

Over here Dent goes for 4 years, and you can pratice as soon as you have your degree, which is right after the final exam.

 

[UBTom]

Yep, dental school is 4 years here too. As long as one passes both portions of the National Board exams at various times during dental school, and a licensing board exam right before graduation, one can practice right away.

That's what I plan to do.. 😀

Right now, with the weather getting cold here in the northern U.S., I wish I can take a vacation down there in the Southern Hemisphere where summer is just beginning. 😎

 

[Ann]

Good plan

There are 2 major exams we have to pass here to, one during second year, and the other at the end of forth year.

And true, summer may be comming here, but whether patterns here are really strange at the moment. About a month ago the temp was up to 40-45C (not sure how the conversion goes) for a good week or so. But just this evening it dropped to 15C.....very cold at the moment....

Hey how big is your dental class??

 

[RoyalAlbatross]

Hi Ann

As a dental graduate from Down Under, now located in the Eastern US, I can tell you that the dental education here and Down Under is pretty much the same! I am now located in a dental school completing my M.S. and AEGD residency. I also worked at Westmead Dental Hospital and had been down to the UDH during my time in Sydney... and the dental schools here and there are pretty similar in terms of quality of education.

One benefit of the Australian dentists is that you don't have to sit the clinical state licensure exams upon graduation! The US grads have to provide their own patients (any means necessary!) for Class II amalgam, gold inlay and periodontal scaling. The exam fees could be staggering too if you already have a huge student loan. Aussie docs should count their blessing that their licencing requirement is not as antiquated and exhausting as is here!

I also took GAMSAT for the sake of it! It is one exam that you don't want even your worst enemy to go through twice! It was that draining and pointless!

Cheers,


2ed