FAQs

Dentists remove tooth decay, fill cavities, and repair fractured teeth. Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.

A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry (the diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity and other aspects of the craniofacial complex including the temporomandibular joint).

A dentist is an accredited medical professional who specializes in the care of teeth, gums, and mouths. As with most medical professions, a keen eye for detail, comprehensive medical understanding, manual dexterity, and strong interpersonal skills are important.

eight years

It generally takes eight years to become a dentist: four years to earn a bachelor's degree as an undergraduate and four years to earn a DDS or DMD in dental school. If you're interested in specializing, you'll also need to complete a dental residency (more on that below).

Being a dentist can be hard, it is challenging, and you'll spend various years studying. You might be convinced to be a dentist now, but is it really the right path for you? Sure, dentistry is interesting, however, you will need to be genuinely interested and dedicated to teeth and oral health in general.