Becoming a Dentist: Educational Requirements, Licensing & Career Outlook

Education

• Bachelor’s degree: Any major; common pre-dental: biology, chemistry, physics, math.
• Dental school (4 years): Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, clinical sciences; supervised patient care.

Licensing

• NBDE: Three-part national board exam (basic sciences, clinical sciences, patient management).
• State license: Jurisprudence exam, continuing education, background check (requirements vary).

Additional Qualifications

• Residency (optional): Advanced training in oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, etc.
• Continuing education: Required annually for license maintenance.

Personal Qualities

• Compassion, communication skills, manual dexterity, problem-solving, attention to detail.

Career Outlook

BLS projects 19% job growth (2019–2029)—much faster than average—driven by aging population and preventive care demand.