- ReasonBehindCollege.

[Saikyo-Shikai]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I was wondering if only the US requires us to have taken college at some degree, or if this was implemented in other countries as well. The traditional way for american dental education is that of having to do college and then dental school.
And also, why do we have to do 3 to 4 years of college? is it really needed? is it really useful? I've heard that highschool in other countries is tougher in science content and preparation. Does highschool level science in the US lack what is needed to go to dental school prepared?
Please post what you know or believe. 😕

 

[rocknightmare]

I was wondering if only the US requires us to have taken college at some degree, or if this was implemented in other countries as well. The traditional way for american dental education is that of having to do college and then dental school.
And also, why do we have to do 3 to 4 years of college? is it really needed? is it really useful? I've heard that highschool in other countries is tougher in science content and preparation. Does highschool level science in the US lack what is needed to go to dental school prepared?
Please post what you know or believe. 😕

hs content is lacking, not very standardized, and no 3 to 4 years of college is not necessary.. but since most hs kids are not mature enough to attend dental school it becomes a necessary evil. other countries have standarzided tests after hs. the kids *seem* more mature in certain aspects..

 

[ItsGavinC]

I don't know that college is necessary, but I do think it's extremely beneficial.

A high school student could easily learn to practice dentistry, but that really places our role into the realm of teeth technicians rather than healthcare professionals.

 

[TKD]

I don't know that college is necessary, but I do think it's extremely beneficial.

A high school student could easily learn to practice dentistry, but that really places our role into the realm of teeth technicians rather than healthcare professionals.

A high school student could easily learn to practice dentistry??? I beg to differ. Perhaps a hs student could learn some simple restorative, but practice dentistry - in terms of managing a practice, professionalism, ethics, taking a full medical history, medical precautions, and moderately complicated prostho, endo, oral surg, etc. Dude, unless you're talking about Doogie Howser, tell me what high school this is, I'll sign my nephews up ASAP!
Saikyo, I think the poster is talking about some simple technical aspects of dentistry.
I personally feel the 4 years increases our knowledge base, and provides maturity and experience. Many use it to gain a special skill (i.e. classmates of mine had bachelors in speech pathology, education, forensics). Also, it makes 1st and 2nd yr. dental school much more palatable.

 

[gryffindor]

From what I understand, the pre-reqs for dental school, besides the 90 hours of college coursework, are -

1 year Math
1 year Biology + Lab
1 year General Chemistry + Lab
1 year Organic Chemistry + Lab
1 year Physics + Lab
1 year English

At my high school, it was possible to take enough AP courses and have all those requirements except the Organic Chem completed by the time you graudate. Some students were even so motivated that all of those AP courses (Math, English, Bio, General Chem, Physics) would be done by the end of junior year, and they could take Organic senior year at an area university b/c there was a rule - if the high school didn't offer a class, you could take it at a local college/university.

These students were very bright, focused, and mature. They consistently scored high on the AP exams required at the end of the AP courses as well. I would bet if you put them into dental school right out of high school, they would do amazing in those classes too since it's mostly memorization and with practice you can teach anyone to operate a high speed. They'd probably rank high too b/c ranking at our high school was just as competitive (maybe worse) as what I encountered in my dental school. I think the older age of starting dental school out of high school vs. college (18 vs 22) could bring maturity and added life experiences when it comes to treating patients. But I don't see why academically you can't teach a bright 18 year old about perio and oral surgery, if they have the interest in dentistry.

However, most of the motivated students at my high school ended up pursuing medical school and are scattered at the big name med schools around the country. And I would have to say that I doubt most high schools in the US have a good science education, so college level courses are necessary to bring students up to speed and prepare them for dental school.

 

[toofache32]

I think part of it comes down to competition and who wants it the most. If college wasn't required, I would think that people with college degrees would still be more competitive than those without.

 

[issa]

one of my cousins went to a dental school right away after high school in jordan. almost 400 students got accepted, but 12 students made it and she was one of them. in her high school she took chemistry in 9th grade and from 10th to 12th grade she took organic 1 and 2. and biology in 10th grade to 12th grade. her brother is 2 years younger than me and he came to america for a visit and he know more than me in orgainc chemistry and biology and math. she spent only 5 years total in a jordan university and now she is a a dentist working in bethlehem,israel.

 

[phremius]

I was wondering if only the US requires us to have taken college at some degree, or if this was implemented in other countries as well. The traditional way for american dental education is that of having to do college and then dental school.
And also, why do we have to do 3 to 4 years of college? is it really needed? is it really useful? I've heard that highschool in other countries is tougher in science content and preparation. Does highschool level science in the US lack what is needed to go to dental school prepared?
Please post what you know or believe. 😕

who cares? high school kids aren't ready for jack ****. start your own dental school that doesn't require college, what does it matter? in the meanwhile, if you want to go to US dental school, you gotta go to college. case closed.

 

[ItsGavinC]

A high school student could easily learn to practice dentistry??? I beg to differ. Perhaps a hs student could learn some simple restorative, but practice dentistry - in terms of managing a practice, professionalism, ethics, taking a full medical history, medical precautions, and moderately complicated prostho, endo, oral surg, etc.

You're kidding, right? Half of the dentists that graduate probably can't manage patients worth a damn, and going to college certainly doesn't give you superior ethics.

I still say that the actual practice of dentistry isn't that difficult. Some cases are more complex than others, but mastering procedures (for the most part) seems to be attached to the process of repitition.

 

[vaio]

i think it is the maturity factor plain and simple. They are too young, have no experience of the real world, and just not ready. Send the suckers to college

 

[vaio]

You're kidding, right? Half of the dentists that graduate probably can't manage patients worth a damn, and going to college certainly doesn't give you superior ethics.

I still say that the actual practice of dentistry isn't that difficult. Some cases are more complex than others, but mastering procedures (for the most part) seems to be attached to the process of repitition.

i do agree with the mastering procedures part....even a kid could master an art by repitition/practice....but that is only one aspect of being a health care professional/dentist