What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

• Oral Surgery: An oral surgeon may work in a doctor's office or a dentist's office, and will provide surgical care to those who need it, for whatever reason. For example, the removal of wisdom teeth is generally done by an oral surgeon. 
• Orthodontics: When people wish to correct their teeth- usually because they are crooked- they will see an orthodontist. Orthodontists often work with children and teenagers who have crooked teeth, and their offices stay busy. They are often some of the highest earning dental professionals. 
• Periodontics: Periodontic dentists specialize in the gums, and work primarily with patients with gingivitis. They will diagnose and provide treatments for people who are suffering from gum diseases. 
• Prosthodontics: Prosthodontic dentists deal with "prosthetic teeth," meaning partial or total replacement of teeth. If a person has lost teeth due to an injury, for example, he or she will see a prosthodontic professional to help replace them with false teeth. 
• Endodontics: Endodontics is the treatment of the dental pulp chamber and canals, rather than just the care of teeth. 
• Pedodontics: Pedodontics is the dental equivalent of pediatrics. While pediatricians specialize in child medicine, pedodontic experts specialize in child dental problems. They particularly specialize in providing information on proper dental care to children and parents. 

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What degree levels are available?

• Associate's Degree in Dental Hygienist: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree in Dentistry: 4 years to complete
• Doctor of Dental Surgery: 4 years to complete
• Doctor of Dental Medicine: 4 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

In order to become a fully qualified and licensed dental professional, meaning you have the authority to run your own office, perform complex procedures, and work without the advisement of other professionals, one must complete an undergraduate degree (there are some exceptions to this, as certain dental schools allow students to earn a degree while completing their dental training), followed by a dental program. There are only 57 accredited dental schools in the United States, and completing dental training requires approximately four years of full time study. In order to be admitted to a dental school, applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (ADA).

Dentists take the National Board Dental Examinations after finishing school, which is a series or written and practical examinations. Once a student has passed the necessary exams and earned a degree, he or she may become licensed to practice any type of dentistry in any of the 50 states. Licenses have to be periodically renewed. 

One can become a dental assistant immediately after finishing high school with no additional education, as some offices are prepared to train their assistants on-site. However, it is necessary for prospective dental hygienists to complete some kind of formal education at a community college or technical training school. One to two years of further study is usually required for dental hygiene work. A dental assistant does not need to be licensed or certified, but a dental hygienist does (BLS).  

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take? 

• Anatomy: Not surprisingly, dentists need to have some understanding of anatomy, including both oral anatomy and general physiology. Because they will prescribe medications on occasion, dentists must be aware of how they are interacting with a person's entire body. 
• Laboratory Sciences: Laboratory science classes will continue throughout a dental student's course of study. Early on in their program, dental students will take courses to train them in proper laboratory procedures. 
• Pharmacology: Dentists, especially surgeons, do need to be prepared to administer and prescribe medication. Therefore, while in dental school all dentists will take courses in pharmacology to help them better understand the medicines that they administer to their patients and determine which prescriptions a patient is in need of. 
• Dental Hygiene: Maintaining proper hygiene is important in a doctor's office, and it is an essential skill to teach patients. Though dentists usually pick up on the theories behind dental hygiene throughout their course of study, a prospective hygienist will be asked to take classes that train them specifically in dental care, and how to help others learn proper care. 
• Periodontology: All dentists and dental hygienists will need to be trained in periodontology- the study of gum diseases and gum care. Gum disease related complaints are common in doctor's offices, and it often falls to the hygienist to help patients learn proper care techniques.

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What are the on-site training requirements?

Dental assistants will likely be trained on-site to help them learn office and dental procedures. Dental hygienists may receive much of their practical education on-site as well, learning how to operate and maintain certain equipment. Dental students usually participate in practical training activities while still in school. 

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

• Laboratory Technician: Lab technicians help medical professionals take samples and conduct medical tests. They usually need to have at least an associate's degree and proper certification to work in this career. 
• X-Ray Technician: X-rays are used in dental and medical offices alike to take images of people's skeletal system. They are used to ensure that all is well or determine whether or not there are breaks and sprains. 
• Medical Coding: Dentists must keep medical records in the same way that doctors must, and they rely on other professionals to help them keep track of all the necessary information. Properly trained medical coding and billing specialists may be able to fulfill this role in dental offices. 
• Healthcare Administrators: A health care administrator or manager helps manage the particulars of a medical office. Most dentists are private practitioners and fulfill this role themselves, or delegate to an assistant or secretary, but in large offices full-time health care administrators may be necessary. 
• Patient Care Technician: A patient care technician is generally responsible for assisting their advisory medical professional in whatever way they can, whether it be taking blood pressure or medical history or monitoring a patient during a procedure. Dentists do not often hire such people as hygienists and assistants are responsible for filling this role, but some duties will overlap. 

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