Dental Specialties

Most dental school graduates practice general dentistry, treating all patients (adults and children). Some may opt for additional education through general practice residency (GPR, required for some states) or Advanced Dental Education Programs to specialize in one of these areas:

• Dental Anesthesiologists provide anesthesia services for in office visits as well as surgery centers, hospitals, and educational institutions to share their training in pain and anxiety control with colleagues and future dentists.

• Endodontists diagnose and treat injuries that are specific to the dental nerves and pulp (matter inside the tooth)

• Oral and maxillofacial pathologists study and research the causes, processes and effects of diseases with oral manifestations

• Oral and maxillofacial radiologists take and interpret conventional, digital, CT, MRI and allied imaging modalities of oral-facial structures and disease

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide diagnostic services and treatment for injuries, diseases and defects of the neck, head, jaw and associated structures

• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedists diagnose and treat problems related to irregular dental development, missing teeth and other abnormalities

• Oral medicine specialists are responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for the diagnosis and management of medically related diseases, disorders and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.

• Orofacial pain specialty encompasses the diagnosis, management and treatment of pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck.

• Pediatric dentists treat children from birth to adolescence

• Periodontists provide corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum disease

• Prosthodontists restore and replace teeth damaged by decay or lost from trauma or disease, with fixed or removable appliances constructed with newly developed dental material

• Dental public health specialists develop policies and programs, such as health care reform, that affect the community at large

Preparing for Dental School

Dental-Related Experiences

What exposure do you have to dentistry beyond seeing your own dentist? You can gain experience to the dental field by interacting directly with patients in a clinical setting through working, shadowing, and/or volunteering in a dentist office or clinic. Or perhaps your volunteer work or research are related to dentistry. Use your network to find opportunities! This is extremely beneficial for your own professional development, so that you know for sure that you will enjoy working as dentist. Moreover, when dental schools review applications, they will look for indications that you are truly enthusiastic about health care and have sought out opportunities to learn more about the field. 

• Shadow Penn Dental students and faculty (scroll down to "Shadowing")

• Use your State Dental Association to find member dentists to contact!

  • NJ Dental Association

  • Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA): Find a Member Dentist

DAT & Assessments

Click the link above to learn about preparing for the Dental Admission Test. You'll also learn about the CASPer and other assessments dental schools may ask you to take when applying.