How Long is Dental School? Your Complete Guide to Becoming a Dentist

Want to know how long it takes to become a dentist? You’re in the right spot. I’ll walk you through every step you’ll need to take, from starting out all the way to getting your dental license. You’ll learn about dental school, what you need to do before you start, options for moving faster, how long everything takes, and more. After you read this, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for and if becoming a dentist is the right fit for you.

Why Should You Read This Article?

Let’s be honest: becoming a dentist is a huge step. You want easy, real answers. You want to know how many years dental school takes, what you need to get in, and what happens after you finish. Maybe you’ve heard about DDS and DMD, or you’re not sure what comes next. I’ve helped lots of people start their path to dental school and do well. This guide gives you all the basic facts and easy tips. No confusing words—just easy advice anyone can use.

What Does a Dentist Do?

Dentists are doctors who look after your teeth, gums, and mouth. They fix cavities, straighten crooked teeth, and help keep your smile looking good. Some dentists work with kids, some make fake teeth, and some even do surgery. Dentists can work in clinics, offices, or even hospitals.

To keep it simple, dentists look after your mouth and help people keep their teeth healthy. It takes a lot of practice, hard work, and learning to do the job well.

It’s not easy to become a dentist. There’s lots to learn, from the science of teeth to using pointy tools the right way. But after you finish school, you’ll get to help people every day. If you like science and want a job helping others, you might enjoy being a dentist.

What is Dental School and How Many Years Is It?

Dental school is where you learn everything you need to know to be a dentist. You work toward a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Don’t let the names fool you—these degrees are the same.

So, how long does dental school take? Most people finish dental school in four years. Sometimes you see programs that go a bit quicker, but most students spend four years at dental school.

Here’s how it works:

• First two years: You study teeth, gums, sickness, and basic science (like biology, chemistry, and anatomy).
• Last two years: You practice on real people, learn how to fix problems, and get ready for the big final test.

Think of dental school as college, just focused on teeth!

What Do You Need Before Dental School?

Here’s the thing—you can’t go to dental school straight from high school. First, you’ll need to finish four years of college (usually called your pre-dental years). In college, you’ll:

• Take a bunch of science classes (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics).
• Get ready for and take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
• Keep your grades up.

You’ll also need letters from people who can say you’re a good student, time spent watching a dentist work (shadowing), and a note about why you want to be a dentist (personal statement).

After college, you’ll apply to dental school. Getting in isn’t easy, so you want to be as ready as you can.

What Happens During Dental School?

Dental school is tough but exciting if you like science and working with people. Your training comes in two big chunks:

Years 1-2: Building the Basics

• You’ll learn all about tooth sickness and how the body works.
• There are classes in science, body parts, and how medicine helps people.
• You’ll get lots of practice on fake teeth in labs.

Years 3-4: The Real Work

• Now you work on real patients (with a teacher watching).
• You learn how to do fillings, pull teeth, clean, take x-rays, and even do small surgeries.
• You’ll spend time in different parts of the dentist’s office, like working just with kids or doing surgery.
• You get ready for big tests like the Integrated National Board Dental Exam (INBDE).

When you finish, you’re ready to treat patients as a general dentist. If you want a special job, you’ll have to do even more school.

What Happens After Dental School?

After you graduate, you’ve got two main options:

1. Start work as a general dentist. In most places, you won’t need more school, just your state test.
2. Do extra training. Some people do a General Practice Residency (GPR) or an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), which is one more year. This gives you practice with tougher cases.

If you want to be a specialist—like a braces doctor or a surgery dentist—you’ll have to do even more training. Sometimes, that means up to 7 more years in school!

Here’s a simple chart:

Can You Finish Faster?

Good news—accelerated programs or combined programs can help you finish sooner. For example, some BS/DDS programs let you do college and dental school together, usually in 6 or 7 years. These are rare and hard to get into, but they save you time.

Some people take a year off before dental school to work or get more practice (gap year). That can help your application, but it does mean an extra year.

What are Dual Degree Programs?

You can also get another degree while you study dentistry—like a DDS/PhD (for research), DDS/MBA (business), or DDS/MPH (public health). These take a little longer—maybe 1 to 3 extra years.

Can Dentists Be Specialists?

You bet! There are lots of areas you can specialize in:

• Braces (Orthodontics): 2-3 more years
• Mouth surgery (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery): 4-6 more years (sometimes you get an MD, too)
• Root canals (Endodontics): 2-3 more years
• Kids’ dentist (Pediatric Dentistry): 2-3 more years
• Gums (Periodontics): 2-3 more years
• Fake teeth (Prosthodontics): 3 years

Trying to be a specialist takes more time and is tougher to get into, but it can mean more pay and more choice in jobs. Think about what part of being a dentist you like most.

How Do You Get a License?

Even after all those years, you can’t work as a dentist unless you get a license.

To do that, you must:

• Pass the Integrated National Board Dental Exam (INBDE)
• Do a state clinical exam or a regional test (usually working on real or fake teeth)
• Meet your state’s own rules

Every state is different. Some want a hands-on test with real patients. Some only let you do it on a computer. Always check what the state you want to work in says.

If you want to be a specialist, you might need to take even more tests.

What’s Life Like After Dental School?

Once you get your degree and license, you’re ready for the real world! Dentists can expect:

• Good pay (most dentists in the US make over $150,000 a year!)
• The chance to help people and make a difference
• Lots of job offers—the world needs more dentists
• Flexibility—many dentists run their own offices or work part-time

It’s not all sunshine—student loans can be a lot and the job is hard sometimes. Still, most dentists say it’s worth it because they help people and enjoy what they do.

Dentists also keep learning after school with continuing education classes. Most states make you do this, so you’re always up-to-date.

Is It Worth the Time?

Let’s ask the big question: Is it worth spending 8 to 15 years to become a dentist?

It depends on you.

School takes a long time and can cost a lot. But you get skills that matter, a good paycheck, and a job that makes people’s lives better.

Think about these benefits:

• You’ll feel good helping people
• You’ll make good money
• You can run your own office
• People look up to dentists
• Jobs are always there

If that’s what you want, the time and work might feel worth it.

FAQs

Q: How many college years before dental school?
A: You usually need 4 years in college with lots of science classes.

Q: Can I become a dentist in 6 years?
A: Some fast programs let you do 6-7 years, but most people take at least 8 years.

Q: What’s the quickest way to be a dentist?
A: A combined BS/DDS program—if you get in—might only take 6-7 years, but you have to start right after high school.

Q: DDS vs DMD—Any difference?
A: No, they’re the same. Both take 4 years and let you be a dentist.

Q: Do all dentists need to do a residency?
A: Not always. Only some jobs or states require it. Most general dentists can work right after school if they have a license.

Main Things to Remember

• Dental school takes 4 years after college.
• You need 4 years of college first, with lots of science and the DAT.
• Extra training or specialty school can add 1–7+ years.
• There are some fast-track programs that combine college and dental school in 6–7 years.
• You must pass tests and get a state license before you can work.
• Specialists make more but go to school longer.
• Dentistry pays well, lets you help people, and gives lots of options.
• It’s a long path, but for many, being a dentist is worth it.

References:

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists

Want to learn more? Reach out for advice, ideas, or help picking the right program. We can help you get started on your dentist career!