Dentistry is a profession with a tradition that goes back as long as civilization itself.
At one time, believe it or not, most dentistry was performed by barbers! Today, however, in the United States and in most other countries there are specific schools that must be attended and degrees that must be earned to work as a dentist, just like an attorney.
While dentists are called doctor, it may be confusing to some people because they cannot perform general medicine like many other doctors.
How does this occur? Read on to learn the details of becoming a dentist, and why they are indeed doctors in their own right.
The path to becoming a dentist begins with college, like any other doctor.
They are not required to be "pre-dental," however many study a science as it will relate more to medical training.
Biology is popular, although any fleshed out scientific course of study will be beneficial.
This is effectively the same track as any other pre-medical student.
Dental schools require a bachelor's degree for entry, again just like any other medical school, and are just as competitive as any other graduate level program.
Students with below a 3.
0 GPA will have a difficult time finding entry.
The curriculum at dental school follows a similar path as medical school.
The first two years is basic medicine and science followed by clinical training.
The clinical training may include time spent as an understudy to a working dentist or performing services as a dental hygienist.
The two most common degrees awarded to dentists in the United States are the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
These, it should be understood, are for all practical purposes identical.
Just like one school may award a degree as a Bachelor of the Arts and another as a Bachelor of Science, the DMD and DDS degrees require the same amount of training and education.
The reason DDS and DDM's do not perform general medicine is the highly specialized nature of working in dentistry.
We have high expectations of dentists and accordingly their training is extremely specific.
You may not want your dentist to examine your knee (although many probably could) just like you would not want your physical therapist to give you a crown! So, next time you are talking to your dentist, call him or her doctor! They earned it.
Plus, you sure don't want them mad at you when they're putting a bridge in!