Many professionals spend years studying and go through an internship process before becoming full-fledged members of a profession. Dentists are no different. The amount of education and clinical training required to earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine / Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree is relatively the same as those required of a medical doctor (MD).1 Whether your dentist has the DDS or the DMD degree doesn’t matter, as they are both essentially the same degree.
Many dentists begin their education as far back as high school, where they are encouraged to take Physics, Chemistry and Biology courses.
A four-year undergraduate degree, preferably in a field such as Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry or a related field is generally required to apply for dental school. Then applicants must get through some other hurdles such as passing the American Dental Association’s Dental Admissions Test (DAT) with a score of 19 or better on a scale of 1-30.
Another hurdle is securing letters of recommendation, as well as being formally interviewed for the program. Even if an applicant has succeeded to this point in the admission process, they still may not be accepted to dental school.
Accredited dental schools are rigorous and selective, ensuring that dental students will succeed in their chosen profession. Once accepted into dental school, dental students, just like their medical student counterparts, will complete four additional years of education.
During their dental education they will study subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, immunology and pathology. During the second two years, dental student’s coursework focuses on clinical practice – diagnosing and treating oral diseases.2
Once they graduate, dental students must be licensed in the state in which they work.3 In Michigan, the Bureau of Professional Licensing requires that dentists applying for their first license be graduates from an accredited dental school. Then they have to pass both parts of the National Board Dental Examination as well as the ADEX Dental Examination.4
You would think that a dentist’s education would be complete after a minimum of 8 years of post-high school education and completion of the rigorous exams necessary to meet state licensure requirements. To administer local anesthesia, dentists must also be certified in basic or advanced cardiac life support and have completed training in the administration of local anesthesia.
Finally, dentist must renew their license every three years. To do so, they have to complete 60 hours of board-approved continuing education during the three-year period prior to renewal.5
Clearly, it takes a lot of intelligence, perseverance, education and skills to first graduate from dental school and then to maintain licensure over a dental career. So, when you sit in a dental chair at Sedki Dentistry, Commerce Twp, you can be comfortable knowing that your dentist, the head of your oral care team, has gone through a lot of studying and preparation to provide you with the highest possible level of care.
Sedki Dentistry, Commerce MI is a complete family dental clinic that offers services for all dental health concerns. Dr. Sedki and his experienced staff are professional and committed to providing uncompromised care to their patients. Maintaining long term dental health and a beautiful smile is their goal. Call Sedki Dentistry today and get started on a healthy, beautiful smile!
1,2 American Dental Association, Dentists: Doctors of Oral Health
Link: https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/dentists-doctors-of-oral-health
3 United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists
Link: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-4
4 Bureau of Professional Licensing, State of Michigan, Michigan Dentistry Licensing Guide
Link: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Dentistry_517621_7.pdf
5 Continuing Education Requirements for Michigan Dentists
Link: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/LARA_Dentist_CE_Brochure_5-11_376427_7_512436_7.pdf