Should I Become a Dentist? – Quiz & Self-Assessment Test

Should I Become a Dentist ? Are you considering a career in dentistry, but not sure if it is the right fit for you? Check out the questions below and find out if you have the qualifications that make dentists great!

Would I Make A Good Dentist?

A career as a dentist requires patience, focus and a high level of patient care. How do you know if dentistry is the right path for you? Take the self-assessment quiz below and find out if you’re a good match for the role!

How many of the attributes below describe you?

Are you comfortable with close one-on-one interaction? Yes or No
Are you a good conversationalist? Yes or No
Do you pay close attention to detail? Yes or No
Are you trustworthy? Yes or No
Are you passionate about oral hygiene? Yes or No
Are you sensitive to the needs of others? Yes or No
Do you like helping others? Yes or No
Do you work well with others? Yes or No
Are you coordinated and dexterous? Yes or No
Are you willing to continue your education throughout your career? Yes or No
Why Does a Dentist Need These Qualities?

Are you comfortable with close one-on-one interaction?

Dentists will not only be interacting with patients, but will be working within very close quarters and will need to be comfortable with this closeness.

Are you a good conversationalist?

Patients often can’t make conversation when they’re getting dental work done, so the dentist must be able to keep the environment relaxed and be comfortable keeping up one-sided conversation.

Do you pay close attention to detail?

Because of the aesthetic nature of their work, dentists need to pay close attention to detail and be able to perfect the craft and art of dentistry.

Are you trustworthy?

A patient must be able to trust their dentist to work on their teeth including while patients are under anesthesia.

Are you passionate about oral hygiene?

Having a passion for oral hygiene is critical for dentists, as they will be promoting it and committing their work time to it as well.

Are you sensitive to the needs of others?

A dentist must be sensitive to any pain or discomfort their patients may be experiencing while they are having dental work done.

Do you like helping others?

Dentistry is a career that is dedicated to the service of others, so dentists should be passionate about helping people.

Do you work well with others?

Dentists often work on a team with hygienists and assistants and should be good at cooperating and collaborating.

Are you coordinated and dexterous? Should I Become a Dentist

In order to work efficiently and carefully, a dentist needs to have great dexterity and the ability to multitask.

Are you willing to continue your education throughout your career? Should I Become a Dentist

Dental technologies and techniques are always evolving, and a good dentist will continue learning in order to stay up to date with new trends and methods.

Getting Your Dental Career Started: Should I Become a Dentist

Did you answer yes to the majority of the questions above? If so, you may be on track to become a great dentist. Aspiring dentists must complete a dental training program in addition to training in one of the nine available dental specialties.

THE BASICS: Should I Become a Dentist

Aspiring dentists need to complete years of education, training and residency before starting a practice of their own. They also need to decide on the type of dentistry they plan to pursue, whether general, pediatric or some form of oral or maxillofacial surgery. In addition to formal education, many future dentists may benefit from training in communication and management, specifically to hone the skills needed to run an office and hire, train and maintain a staff.

The path to dentistry: Should I Become a Dentist

may seem straightforward, with beginnings at the bachelor’s level and progression to dental school and residency. However, this path also requires students to consider a variety of questions and options before moving to the next level. For example, which undergraduate degrees give me the best chance to get into dental school? Does is matter? When do I apply for dental school? What does the exam cover? The following guide answers these questions and others, and discusses many of the details involved in the multi-year training process.

WHAT DOES A DENTIST DO? Should I Become a Dentist

In general, dentists are responsible for the oral health of their patients. This might include everything from offering advice on foods or hygiene to repairing fractured teeth or performing more invasive procedures. Dentists might handle regular cleanings and hygiene, filling cavities, extracting teeth, applying sealants or whitening agents, creating dentures, straightening teeth and writing prescriptions.

WHAT KIND OF SKILLS ARE REQUIRED? Should I Become a Dentist

When contemplating a career as a dentist, take a quick inventory of your personal traits. In addition to having the patience and diligence required for oral health work, dentists must have excellent people skills in order to communicate well with colleagues and patients. They must be very good at working with their hands, trained with a variety of instruments, and very attentive to detail. For those who run their own offices, organizational and leadership skills are also a must.

THE STEPS: BECOMING A DENTIST: Should I Become a Dentist

COMPLETE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE: Should I Become a Dentist

In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is required before admittance to dental school. Occasionally, some dental schools admit students who have completed a three-year pre-dental program. Each dental school has its own list or prerequisites. Make sure you research and understand them before advancing too far in your undergraduate studies.

Examples of common prerequisites include:

Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biology
Statistics
Physics

TAKE THE DENTAL ACCEPTANCE TEST (DAT): Should I Become a Dentist

Admission to dental schools is competitive, and DAT results are one of the many factors that dental programs consider when it’s time to choose applicants. Aspiring dentists should take the DAT during their junior year of undergraduate studies. The DAT is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and is made up of four multiple-choice tests that cover natural sciences, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning and perceptual ability. You may take the DAT up to 3 times, if needed, but must wait 90 days between exams. The DAT can be taken a fourth time with special permission.

COMPLETE A DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (DDS) OR DOCTOR OF DENTAL MEDICINE (DMD) DEGREE

The ADA hosts a list of all the accredited dental education programs in the United States: Should I Become a Dentist

There are two types of degree programs that prepare students to work as a general dentist: DDS and DMD. The only difference between the two degrees is the name itself. Both degrees are accepted by state licensing boards.

Whether you choose to complete a DDS or DMD degree, your education will be based on curriculum requirements set by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Coursework includes a mixture of didactic and clinical courses, for example:

Anatomy
Biochemistry
Physiology
Microbiology
Pedonotics
Restorative Dentistry
Endodontics
Oral Surgery
Oral Diagnosis
The ADA recognizes nine dental specialties. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a dental specialist, additional post-graduate training may be required. This specialized training typically lasts one or two years and involves completing a residency.

PASS NATIONAL AND STATE LICENSING EXAMS FOR DENTISTRY: Should I Become a Dentist

All states require dentists to be licensed, but licensing laws vary. You should contact your state’s dental board for information on licensing requirements.

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations developed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), a pass/fail test that must be passed to practice dentistry in any state. The NBDE is broken into two parts. The first part focuses on basic sciences, while the second part focuses on dental topics. Your dental school may arrange for you to take this test with the rest of your class.

Depending on where you live, you may need to complete a state or regional exam. These are clinical tests that require students to perform real dental procedures on patients.

SALARY: Should I Become a Dentist

When choosing the right career, it is important to understand what you can expect to make when you enter the profession. Those who choose to become dentists often do so not only because they want to help people, but because it is a career with a reputation for high salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists made a median annual wage of $163,240 in 2012. The top ten percent of dentists made greater than $187,199 per year. Those who choose to specialize might make even more.

WHAT DO RELATED OCCUPATIONS MAKE ? Should I Become a Dentist

When learning how to become a dentist, you might find that another, similar course of study is more suitable for your career goals. Those who choose the professional healthcare path might move into areas related to dentistry, including careers in podiatry, optometry, surgery and other medical professions. These related occupations have the following average annual salaries:

Dentist and Related Job Salaries

10th PercentileMedian Salary90th PercentileDentistsOrthodontistsDoctorsChiropractorsOptometrists$0$75.000$150.000$225.000$300.000

Year 10th Percentile Median Salary 90th Percentile
Dentists $73.840 $149.310 $249.348
Orthodontists $67.530 $112.775 $188.334
Doctors $60.070 $100.317 $167.529
Chiropractors $31.030 $66.160 $142.950
Optometrists $52.590 $97.820 $184.530
Keep in mind that salaries for any professional can vary widely depending upon the region, state or city you work in. This salary comparison tool can help you compare the salaries of dental professionals in your area.

Should I Become a Dentist? – Quiz & Self-Assessment Test