How To Become A Dentist
"For there was never yet philosopher That could endure the toothache patiently."
- Famous English playwright William Shakespeare, in his Much Ado About Nothing.We often remember our dentist only when we feel that pain in our teeth, for even the bravest of men, and stoic philosophers as Shakespeare said, cannot endure toothache. Dentistry is a respected and rewarding profession, but it requires years of study, practice and experience to excel in. Moreover, the expenses of dental education are nothing to scoff at. Therefore, before you make your final decision on a career in dentistry, you should think long and hard.
Once you have decided to become a dentist, you must ensure that you have a consistently good academic record. Dentistry requires a lot of study and admissions are highly competitive; so demonstration of academic acumen is a must. You must enroll in pre-undergraduate science courses. The most important courses will be biology and chemistry. The grading system in the UK marks the highest academic achievement at AAA. The top dentistry schools in the UK (there are 13) will only accept AAA scores in the basic science courses.
The degree course will usually last five years or more, during which you will be required to take classes on subjects such as anatomy, pathology, psychology, biochemistry and numerous other science courses. You will also complete a practical component, which ensures that you can put the theoretical learning into practice. You can opt for an accelerated track if you want, and are eligible for one. Some dental schools offer accelerated four-year plans, usually only to the highest-scoring students.
You must remember that the costs are considerable. In addition to the fees, you may have to include living expenses among the costs if your home is not near the university you decide to attend. Once you have decided to become a dentist and before you apply to be one, you should assess your financial options. How will you pay for school? Are your parents willing to help out with the costs? Do you have any scholarships? Will you be able to get financial aid for school? If none of these are an option for you, you might consider approaching a bank for a student loan to pay for your education. While working your way through dental school is an option, it can be very difficult with the large course load.
On graduating, all successful students will be qualified to practice. However, before entering any public or private practice, you must register with General Dental Council, which is the governing body for the profession in the country. Usually, you will have to undergo vocational training for a year before you can work without supervision. If you join a hospital, you would have additional practical training there. If you want to specialise in a certain area of dentistry such as orthodontics or periodontics you will need to obtain further education.
In addition to the above, for a successful career in dentistry, you should a very relaxed, personable and calm demeanour that can reassure patients during treatment. Visiting a dentist has gained a wrong reputation of being a painful experience and your communication skills will determine how the patient feels before, during and after treatment.
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