How to Become a Biological Dentist: My Personal Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
- Understanding Biological Dentistry
- Continuing Education and Advanced Programs
- Mentorship and Networking
Introduction: What Is a Biological Dentist?
When most people think of a “dentist,” they picture someone who fixes teeth and cleans them. But a few years back, I heard about biological dentistry—something very different. Biological dentistry isn’t only about fixing teeth. It’s about looking at the whole body and seeing how the mouth and body connect. Every choice I make when treating teeth can change someone’s health in ways I never expected.
I found that this way of doing dentistry means thinking about the whole body, not just the teeth. I use safe, body-friendly materials and try not to do anything more than I have to. When I help someone, I look at food, possible toxins, or even old root canal work that could be hurting their health—not just their teeth.
Why did I choose this path? More and more people want gentle and natural care. When you help the whole person and not just the tooth, people feel better—not just in their mouth, but everywhere. I found making this switch made me happier both at work and at home.
My Educational Journey Toward Biological Dentistry
Getting started as a biological dentist took a few steps. Here’s how I did it.
Undergraduate Preparation
It all began in college. Like most people who want to be dentists, I needed to take a lot of science classes. I took classes like biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math, and English. Majoring in biology or pre-med worked best for me. But it wasn’t just about hitting the books.
I started watching dentists work and helped out at local clinics. This real-life experience helped me understand what being a dentist is all about. It also helped me see how I could one day treat people in a healthier way.
Dental School Insights
Getting into dental school was tough. You need good DAT (Dental Admissions Test) scores, a good GPA, letters from people who know your work, and essays. Interviews aren’t just about what you know either—they want to see if you can talk to other people easily.
Dental school lasted four years and was really hard. My classes covered everything from anatomy and microbiology to how to fix teeth. Most of my days were in tough classes, and the rest of the time I was practicing with real patients.
If you’re asking, “Did dental school teach much about biological dentistry?”—the answer is no, not really. I had to look for extra info and remind myself why I wanted this. The early years got me ready, though, and you need that for any type of dentistry.
Getting Licensed
After graduation, I had to pass a big test—the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE, now called INBDE). Every state also has its own hands-on test. Passing these is needed before you can work as a dentist.
Moving Beyond: Specialized Training in Biological Dentistry
Getting out of dental school is just the beginning. To really be a biological dentist, I needed more learning and special classes.
Understanding Biological Dentistry
I had to look at teeth in a brand new way. Biological dentists think the mouth is tied to everything in the body. Some main ideas I learned:
- The mouth and body are connected: Gum health can change things like your heart or blood sugar.
- Use safe, non-allergic materials: Stay away from things like mercury, and try to use stuff the body can handle.
- Do the least amount: Save as much natural tooth as you can, focus on stopping problems before they start.
- Detox and nutrition: Helping people heal isn’t just about teeth—it’s also about how their body works as a whole.
Continuing Education and Advanced Programs
Where I really learned was in groups made for biological dentists. Two big ones are the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine (IABDM). Here, I found teachers and people who thought like I did.
Classes and workshops covered things like:
- How to safely remove mercury fillings (the SMART way)
- Ozone therapy to fight infections
- Testing which dental materials are safest for each patient
- Food and natural remedies that help teeth
- Finding and treating hidden jawbone infections
- Using stronger, non-metal implants instead of metals
Each class taught me something new. Not everyone likes change, but in my experience, bringing these ideas into my work made my patients healthier.
Mentorship and Networking
You can’t grow all by yourself. I reached out to more experienced dentists for advice. They shared important lessons like: “Be patient, keep learning, and always put your patient’s safety first.”
Going to meetings and classes didn’t just teach me new skills, but also gave me friends to talk with. We help each other, share ideas, and solve hard cases together.
Certifications and Fellowships: Raising Your Credibility
If you want to show you’re a real biological dentist, certifications help a lot. For me, getting the IAOMT’s SMART Certification was huge. It showed me the safest way to take out mercury fillings, and made me confident with harder cases. IABDM offers a well-rounded certificate too, showing you do gentle, whole-body care.
Some people get certificates in things like natural medicine, acupuncture, or nutrition. I mostly stuck with dental credentials, but I often work with doctors in other fields to help my patients.
Fellowships are another way to go deeper if you want. More learning makes you better known as a dentist and lets your patients know you take their care seriously.
Launching Your Own Biological Dental Practice
Changing my practice from regular to biological was both exciting and a little scary. Here’s what I learned.
Integrating Biological Principles
If you’re already a dentist, you can’t just change everything in one day. I took small steps like:
- I stopped using mercury fillings and switched to safe ones
- I started offering tests to see what materials work best for each person
- I brought in ozone therapy and other gentle treatments
- I changed my whole style to focus on eating right and stopping tooth problems before they start
Keep learning and adjusting—that’s the key.
Setting Up a New Practice
If you’re just getting started, you can set everything up to match these ideas from the beginning. You’ll want tools like an ozone machine, strong air filters, digital x-rays, and safe supplies. Your helpers—like hygienists and assistants—need to know why this way is different too. I did small classes with my team so they could share our story with patients.
Finding the right lab matters a lot. For natural crowns and fillings without metal, working with a zirconia lab or a dental ceramics lab let me give my patients top restorations without giving up safety.
Marketing and Patient Education
Many people still don’t know what biological dentistry is. It’s extra important to share how you’re different:
- Show things like mercury-free fillings, SMART removal, and special checks on your website and social pages
- Let people know about your certifications—it helps them trust you right away
- Ask happy patients to share their stories, and post before-and-afters (if they say yes)
Being easy to find online, especially if someone searches in your area (like “biological dentist Chicago”), can help the right folks find you.
My Perspective on the Career Outlook and Future Trends
More people than ever are tired of “drill and fill” care. Now, they’re looking up whole-body care, asking about the mouth’s healthy bugs, if metal is safe, and if vitamins matter for their teeth.
I think biological dentistry is here to stay. There are new tools like fancy 3D x-ray machines and ways to quickly test what material is best for a patient. Dentists that find the real causes—not just patching up teeth—have never been more wanted.
People in holistic dentistry work together a lot. We share what works, try out new materials, and always want something safer. The field keeps changing—if you like learning, you’ll love it here.
If you’re interested in cool lab tech, check out a digital dental lab or look into 3D printing. Better, more custom work means healthier and happier patients.
Conclusion: Charting Your Course to a Rewarding Career
Becoming a biological dentist is the best choice I ever made. It took years of hard work, extra studying, and being willing to try something different. But when I help a patient get healthy—often after they’ve tried everything else—I know it’s worth it.
If you like the idea of whole-body health, or if you want to connect better with patients, biological dentistry could be just what you’re looking for. The way to get there is simple: start with normal dental training, then look for special classes, get certifications, find good mentors, and always keep your mind on what’s best for your patients.
The field is growing, and you get to pick what you want to focus on—kids, big repairs, or mixing in things like healthy food or detox.
It doesn’t matter where you start. If you work hard, keep learning, and care about helping people, you can make a real difference—not just for people in your chair, but for the whole future of dentistry.
Related Reading:
If you want better results for crowns and bridges, building a good partnership with a crown and bridge lab can help you hit your biological dental goals. And if you like cosmetic improvements, a trusted veneer lab gives natural and safe upgrades any patient will love.
For dentists working with removable teeth or full arches, good support from a denture lab can make sure your patients get the healthiest care.
In summary: My path in biological dentistry changed the way I work, how I connect with patients, and how I see health itself. The world needs more dentists who look at the whole picture. If that sounds like you, maybe it’s time you got started.
