Dental School??? Help???

I have a 4 year degree in Biology. How long will it take me to complete dental school?? ( 2 or 4 or 6 years) For a DDS??

Dental School??? Help???
Dental School Program





Earning a doctoral degree in dentistry usually requires four academic years of study. Dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The four years of study leading to the DDS or DMD degree progress as follows:





Years One and Two





Classroom and laboratory instruction in basic health sciences (including anatomy, biochemistry, histology, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology), with an emphasis on dental aspects


Basic principles of oral diagnosis and treatment, may practice on manikins and models, and may begin treating patients later in the second year


Years Three and Four





Students treat patients under the supervision of licensed dental faculty. Procedures cover the broad scope of general dentistry and include opportunities to work in a variety of settings, e.g., community clinics, hospitals and outpatient clinics.


Practice management courses include instruction in effective communication skills, the use of allied dental personnel and business management





If you intend to specialize you need to plan on up to another 2 years after the 4 for the DDS (if you want to be an orthodonist, oral surgeon, etc)





Here is some admission advice-


Dental School Admissions





Prerequisites





Students should contact individual dental schools for specific prerequisite information. Required courses generally include:





8 hours Biology with lab


8 hours Physics


8 hours English


8 hours General Chemistry with lab


8 hours Organic Chemistry with lab


Majoring in science is not a must, but completion of predental science requirements is necessary.





A college undergraduate degree is recommended in preparation for dental school. Most dental students have completed four years of college.





Dental Admissions Test (DAT)





Take the DAT at least a year prior to seeking admission to dental school. This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. Completion of at least one year of college level courses in biology and general and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT.





Applying





Admissions committees review credentials such as academic qualifications, the results from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, personal interviews and dental office shadowing experiences. Admission requirements can vary from school to school.





Most dental schools require personal interviews with candidates to assess qualities such as desire to help people, self-confidence, ability to meet challenges, ability to get along with people and capacity to work independently. The personal interview also provides an opportunity to ask about the school.





Apply for admission at least a year in advance of the planned enrollment date. Most dental schools participate in the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). For a fee, students can subscribe to this service and complete a single application to apply to multiple dental schools. An online application to the schools participating in AADSAS can be completed at http://www.adea.org/aadsas/ . The AADSAS toll-free number is 800-353-2237








Hope that helps!


JAMRDH -a dental hygienist
Reply:84 years
Reply:maybe 3 more years








*frustrated dentist
Reply:It usually takes about 4 years to complete dental school in the U.S., although I believe schools like UOP have a three year program. But remember, it takes about a year from when you apply to actually get in because of the interview process! So you have to apply now to get into the fall 2008 cycle. (but if you do apply now, it's kind of late. The later you are, the less chances of getting in. And plus, the application process takes a loong time). Good luck.
Reply:In the book I have called medical and dental schools says that it will take 4 years to get your degree in DDS.

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