Help becoming a dentist

[lolitsjoey]

Okay, so I am going into Highschool at the end of the current summer. I'd like to go into the dental field. I do have a GI bill since my Mother was in the army. So that should help pay for college. I do have a few questions if any of you'd care to help.

-What courses can I take in Highschool to help me get accepted into dental school/college

-If I wanted to become a General Dentist, please tell me all the education I need. This being college courses, how many years of college, how many years of dental school, etc.

-If I were to pursue being a General Dentist, could I go back to Dental School to become an orthodontist?

-I live in North Carolina, any schools that you could recommend? My main source of tuition would be the GI bill, I really don't want to take out any loans.

And with that, please leave any other advice you feel that I need. I do appreciate it.

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[DetermineDent]

Maybe you can look into accelerated programs. I don't know anything about them. But if you want to go the traditional route...
Do well enough in high school to go to a university after high school.
Then major in something that encompasses the pre requisites for dental school. (Or major in something you like more, and take the pre reqs on the side)
Pre reqs would be general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry. This is subject to change because you won't be applying for another 7-8 years or so....

So 4 years of college (undergraduate) then 4 more years of dental school. Then if you want to be a specialist, like an orthodontist, that's another 4 years or so.

Look up undergraduate colleges in North Carolina, UNC chapel hill has a dental program...

It's really early to be thinking so far into the future. But you may be a boy/girl genius.

 

[tooth knockn]

Okay, so I am going into Highschool at the end of the current summer. I'd like to go into the dental field. I do have a GI bill since my Mother was in the army. So that should help pay for college. I do have a few questions if any of you'd care to help.

-What courses can I take in Highschool to help me get accepted into dental school/college

-If I wanted to become a General Dentist, please tell me all the education I need. This being college courses, how many years of college, how many years of dental school, etc.

-If I were to pursue being a General Dentist, could I go back to Dental School to become an orthodontist?

-I live in North Carolina, any schools that you could recommend? My main source of tuition would be the GI bill, I really don't want to take out any loans.

And with that, please leave any other advice you feel that I need. I do appreciate it.

Take all college level courses you come across while in HS.

Go to your dentist and do an internship with the dentist.

Call your local dental university and ask for guidance, there are accelerated programs catered to HS students, UOP Is an example.


Do your research, asking questions and getting answers will not inform you the most ideal way.... Search through this site....


On average 4 years HS
4 years college
4 years dental school
(Optional) 2-6 years for specialization
So by the age 24-27 you could become a dentist if you desire to.

Go ask shadow/assist/intern at your local dental office...,

Be sure of why you want to do something in life, money is not everything, sometimes parents will be guided to tell their children become this become that.... But the child must follow their happiness and enjoyments, responsibly, to become a positive individual in society....

 

[Typical Average Student]

Okay, so I am going into Highschool at the end of the current summer. I'd like to go into the dental field. I do have a GI bill since my Mother was in the army. So that should help pay for college. I do have a few questions if any of you'd care to help.

-What courses can I take in Highschool to help me get accepted into dental school/college

-If I wanted to become a General Dentist, please tell me all the education I need. This being college courses, how many years of college, how many years of dental school, etc.

-If I were to pursue being a General Dentist, could I go back to Dental School to become an orthodontist?

-I live in North Carolina, any schools that you could recommend? My main source of tuition would be the GI bill, I really don't want to take out any loans.

And with that, please leave any other advice you feel that I need. I do appreciate it.

1. Take as many AP classes as possible in high school to get you a head start in terms of college credits.

2. By the time you're applying to dental school, prereqs may or may not change but right now the general classes are: 2 years of bio + lab, 2 years chem +lab, 2 years physics +lab, 2 years english, biochem, microbio, 2 years organic chem +lab, and certain schools have certain requirements. So you'll have to look into that. The general span of education is: 4 years in high school, 4 years in university, 4 years in dental school, and an optional 2-6 years of residency to specialize.

3. There is a possibility to go back to school for residency (after dental school) if you score high enough on your national boards and ranked high enough during dental school.

4. You might want to look into your state schools. (UNC and East Carolina). I'm not entirely sure, but generally, GI bills will only cover you if you attend your public state university and usually won't be enough to pay for your entire tuition if you go to a private university.

It's great to see someone so young being proactive in their future education. I suggest looking into some accelerated dental programs that would accept you in high school to complete a 3+4 program. Anywho, you have a long way to go, my suggestion right now is to focus in high school and earn high marks to get you into a good university. Another note: I agree with toothknockin, make sure you're going into dentistry for the love of dentistry, and not only for the money. It's a tough job and takes a certain character to pursue dentistry. Choose wisely, good luck!

 

[BeaverLover]

My biggest regret in high school was not taking advantage of the AP/college credits, I came into a university with slightly above none and had trouble numerous time registering for courses. It's a real bummer to fight for spots. Just make sure to do extremely well in the classes that count toward college GPA as I believe some college credits are just Pass/No pass.

 

[ajj70]

I agree, take all of the AP classes you can, I would stay away from taking any CC or DE classes if possible, unless your school doesn't have AP. The CC classes and DE classes will need to be reported and if you don't do well messes up your GPA--even if you do reasonably well, B's, it still will lower your overall GPA for dental school. Get involved in school, volunteer in your community and don't forget to have some fun, but keep it clean and legal. You don't want to have to explain an arrest on your dental school application. Same with your social media, don't put anything on there you wouldn't want your grandmother to read.

Take as much math and science as you can in high school but also, the AP Lit and Lang classes will be very helpful in college. If you are not a good writer, learn to be. Freshman year in college can make or break your GPA, don't overload your classes that year and work hard to get good grades.

 

[BYU4you]

An eight grader may be the youngest I've seen around here!
Congrats on being prepared.


All the advice you need is to do well and have fun. Don't be a loaf and start doing stuff. Sports service etc.

Just get in the habit of being a good student and person.

Most of all, enjoy yourself!

 

[bco99]

This is really really awesome that you are asking these questions at such a young age!

Here is my advice and answers:

1. I can't answer the GI bill question because I am not familiar with that. But I am sure someone has or will. Otherwise, paying for dental school is not a big deal because most kids take out loans that they pay off after they are working.

2. In high school, the teachers/advisors should tell you what classes to take if you want to base it around going to dental school. Make sure to take a lot of science courses since that is what college will mostly consist of. I also think calling up a dental school that is in your state and asking these questions will be very helpful.

3. To become a dentist, you have to go to college for 4 years, then you have to go to dental school for 4 more years. It may sound like a lot, but it goes by very fast and college can be a lot of fun! Don't worry right now about what college courses you have to take. Focus on high school, and when you get into college that is when you will find out what courses to take.

4. If you want to be an orthodontist, you have to go to school 2 more years after dental school. Like I said, 4 years of college, 4 years of dental school, then 2 more years of orthodontist training.

5. I am not sure about North Carolina schools, but you will find that information out in high school.

This is a lot of information for someone your age. The main point is to work hard in high school, but have fun too. You will learn a lot more information about dental school when you are in highschool and college. Don't really worry a lot about all that yet, just focus on high school. You are picking a great career to pursue so keep at it!

 

[lolitsjoey]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate it. When I go to Highschool I will update most likely in this thread, and hopefully you can rate my grades/sportsman things/electives. Thanks for the help.

 

[midman19]

Nothing you do in high school as far as extra curricular goes will be put on your dental school application. That will all come after high school. Work hard and get involved but don't stress yourself out too much. The stuff your involved in during high school doesn't have to be dental related. Have fun while your young and don't worry too much about the future relating to dental school. That will all fall into place after you graduate!

 

[lolitsjoey]

1. Take as many AP classes as possible in high school to get you a head start in terms of college credits.

2. By the time you're applying to dental school, prereqs may or may not change but right now the general classes are: 2 years of bio + lab, 2 years chem +lab, 2 years physics +lab, 2 years english, biochem, microbio, 2 years organic chem +lab, and certain schools have certain requirements. So you'll have to look into that. The general span of education is: 4 years in high school, 4 years in university, 4 years in dental school, and an optional 2-6 years of residency to specialize.

3. There is a possibility to go back to school for residency (after dental school) if you score high enough on your national boards and ranked high enough during dental school.

4. You might want to look into your state schools. (UNC and East Carolina). I'm not entirely sure, but generally, GI bills will only cover you if you attend your public state university and usually won't be enough to pay for your entire tuition if you go to a private university.

It's great to see someone so young being proactive in their future education. I suggest looking into some accelerated dental programs that would accept you in high school to complete a 3+4 program. Anywho, you have a long way to go, my suggestion right now is to focus in high school and earn high marks to get you into a good university. Another note: I agree with toothknockin, make sure you're going into dentistry for the love of dentistry, and not only for the money. It's a tough job and takes a certain character to pursue dentistry. Choose wisely, good luck!

So I have to take all of those science and lab classes, or only a few? Please elaborate, it sort of confused me. Thanks

 

[ajj70]

So I have to take all of those science and lab classes, or only a few? Please elaborate, it sort of confused me. Thanks

Most colleges will want to see at least 3 lab classes, usually bio, chem and physics, so you will need those for that. Then, in college, having that experience in high school will help you do better in college.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

These are all great advices. I just finished watching the kids and teen edition of Chopped on the Food Network so I would also recommend learning how to cook as a hobby! Plus, it would give you great things to talk about in the future if you get an interview.

 

[futurepredent2016]

http://www.adea.org/GoDental/Events/Jumpstart_your_Dental_Career_in_High_School.aspx

 

[Pro-Dentite19]

Like others have said, anything you do in high school (unless it includes getting arrested) will have no impact on getting into Dental School, including your grades. You can literally get C's and go to the worst college in the country as long as once your are there you get straight A's and crush the DAT.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

I'm a recent college grad, so if I could tell my lil' high school self nuggets of wisdom of what I know now, they would be:

• Take as many AP courses as you can to receive college credit, especially ones that can knock out general education requirements and not typical science prerequisites. For instance, I took AP chemistry, biology, and psychology. My AP credits for chemistry and bio did squat because all pre-meds/pre-dents at my school had to take general bio and general chemistry anyway. You couldn't AP out of it. This was at my school, so I don't know if this applies everywhere else. If I could go back in time, I would've taken AP calculus, statistics, government, US history, literature, Spanish, etc.
• Out of all the colleges you got accepted into your senior year, go to the easiest college to achieve a high GPA. To some extent, I guess it doesn't matter where you go for undergrad, so don't worry too much about reputation. Like others have echoed before, you can be at least a decent student in high school with decent extracurricular activities (or none), and go to the cheapest college you can find so you don't have expensive loans to pay after you graduate. However, don't be just decent; be the best you can be while still enjoying your high school experience. Get involved, make friends, have fun. If you develop good study skills early on, I'm sure they'll come in handy throughout your undergraduate career. I was a hardcore procrastinator in high school, and I still was in college .... Don't be like me lol.
• Get to know some of your high school teachers because you'll need some people to write you letters of recommendation.
• Don't overwork yourself because ultimately, dental schools don't care about what you did in high school. Relax