« Go BackPre-Dentistry - What can I do with this major?

Career Links »

Area Employer Information/Strategies

General Information and Strategies

Strategies For Gaining Admittance Into Professional Programs

  • Choose an appropriate undergraduate major and include prerequisite courses required by the professional program, e.g. biology, chemistry, and physics, if they are not a requirement of the chosen major.
  • Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
  • Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in the sciences, to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school.
  • Develop excellent computer, mathematics, and verbal and written communication skills.
  • Build good relationships with professors and/or employers in order to secure strong recommendations.
  • Join related student organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta, and assume leadership roles.
  • Obtain summer jobs, volunteer positions, or internships to test fields of interest and gain valuable experience.
  • Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
  • Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions. Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.
  • Talk to professionals already in your desired field regarding their backgrounds. Arrange a shadowing experience.
  • Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
  • Read scientific journals related to your area of interest.
  • Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, etc. If possible, speak with current students.

General Information and Strategies

  • Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
  • Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the medical professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
  • Study the demands required by each of the medical fields. Many physicians work very long, irregular hours. Consider your tolerance for such a schedule.
  • All fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency.
  • Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay abreast of new trends in the field and to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.
  • In some medical fields, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
  • Some medical fields offer the opportunity for post doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.

Dentistry

  • Some Areas of Specialization
    • Endodontics
    • Oral Pathology
    • Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
    • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
    • Orthodontics
    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Periodontics
    • Prosthodontics
    • Public Health
    • Research

    •  

    • Private practice (80% of dentists)
    • Armed services
    • Federal, state, & local health departments
    • Correctional facilities

     

    • Test Required: DAT
    • Schooling Required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) requires 4 years of dental school (last 2 years are clinical rotations).

     

     

    Dental Hygiene

    Specific areas of activity for dental hygienists include:

    • Gathering data for a dental diagnosis
    • Recording medical and dental histories
    • Screening and charting oral structures and conditions
    • Exposing and processing oral radiographs
    • Dietary analysis
    • Providing oral disease prevention information and instruction
    • Monitoring oral health status of individuals
    • Providing therapeutic services
    • Removing calculus and plaque from the teeth
    • Applying fluoride and dental sealants to the teeth                         

     

    • Private dental offices and dental clinics
    • Federal, state, and local health departments or associated institutions
    • Hospitals and nursing homes
    • School districts or departments of education
    • Private business/industry
    • Correctional facilities
    • Private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric, and other individuals or groups with special needs
    • Managed care organizations

     

    • Associate's or bachelor’s degree is required to enter the field in nearly all states.
    • A passing score on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and state or regional clinical examination is also required for licensure, RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist).
    • A master’s degree in dental hygiene is available at some institutions.
    • The scope of practice for dental hygienists is determined by individual states.
    • Opportunities for practice are available throughout the world, particularly with the military, the US government, and US owned corporations.
    • Dental hygienists with bachelor's or master's degrees may work in teaching, research or administrative positions.