How To Become A Licensed Dentist: My Personal Step-by-Step Guide

When I first started thinking about being a dentist, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Like a lot of people, I thought dentists just fix teeth, but I quickly learned there’s a lot more going on. Dentistry is about science, art, and working with people—it always keeps things interesting, and sometimes it’s pretty tough.

Let me show you every step I went through to become a licensed dentist in the United States. I’ll talk about what helped me, where I made mistakes, and give you some tips I wish someone had shared with me earlier. No matter if you’re just out of high school or already doing science classes in college, I hope this guide helps you.

Step 1: Undergraduate Education & Pre-Dental Requirements

Before you get to dental school, you need a good base in college. When I went through it, I noticed dental schools really care about what classes you take, your grades, and even how you spend your free time.

Choosing a Major

I picked Biology as my major, which lots of pre-dental students do. Some of my friends went for Chemistry or Health Sciences, and a few even did Psychology or Art. What’s important is learning your science basics well. The major doesn’t matter as much as getting those science classes done. I had a tough time in Organic Chemistry, but all that work paid off.

Prerequisite Courses

Every school is a little different, but here’s what I had to take for most dental programs:

General Biology (with lab)
General Chemistry (with lab)
Organic Chemistry (with lab)
Physics (with lab)
English
Math (sometimes Calculus or Statistics)

I also took some other classes like Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Microbiology. Anatomy especially helped me later. For a full list, most schools post their class requirements on their websites, so you can plan ahead.

GPA Expectations

I have to be upfront: grades really count. Most dental schools want to see an average GPA between 3.5 and 3.7, and your science GPA should be pretty high, too. I had friends who got a bad grade early, but they worked hard in later classes and bounced back. Schools like to see improvement, so don’t give up if you mess up once.

Extracurricular Activities

This is where you get to stand out. I spent time shadowing a local dentist and volunteered at free clinics. Most schools want at least 100 hours watching dentists work, sometimes in different settings. I also joined the pre-dental club at my college, which was great for meeting other students and learning more.

I didn’t realize how much being good with your hands matters until my first lab, when I dropped an instrument. Doing stuff like pottery, playing a musical instrument, or painting can really help you get better with your hands.

Step 2: Conquering the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

Up next was the DAT. This test is no joke—it covers a lot.

What is the DAT?

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a big exam with:

Natural Sciences (Biology, General and Organic Chemistry)
Perceptual Ability (like seeing 3D shapes and patterns)
Reading Comprehension
Math Reasoning

It tests both what you know and how you think. Dental schools look at your DAT score just like your GPA.

DAT Preparation Strategies

Best thing you can do? Start early. I gave myself about three months. I used prep books, took practice exams online, and even took a review class because I wasn’t so great at reading fast. Practice tests saved me—they showed me where I was weak.

Some people studied together in groups, some studied alone. The main thing is sticking with it—study a bit every day and increase your time as the test gets closer.

Target DAT Scores

Most schools want an average DAT score around 19 to 21. My first practice test was a 16, and I felt pretty down. But with more studying and changing my plan, I reached my goal. Don’t just focus on the hard science parts. The Perceptual Ability part is weird and hard, and you need to practice for it.

Step 3: Applying to Dental School (DDS/DMD Programs)

After the DAT and my college degree, it was time to fill out applications. Here’s how I handled the process.

The AADSAS Application

The main application is called the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). You fill out one application and send it to lots of schools, which is really helpful. You’ll need your school transcripts, DAT scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Double-check every school’s separate rules because I almost missed out on one school by not sending a certain document.

Crafting a Strong Personal Statement

Don’t write something boring here. I wrote about helping an older neighbor eat better after getting dentures, and that’s when I realized dentistry was for me. Schools read hundreds of these—yours needs to show who you are and why you picked dentistry for real reasons.

Have a teacher or mentor read your personal statement—they catch things you won’t after reading it ten times.

Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation

Most places ask for two science teachers, one non-science teacher, and sometimes a dentist. The best letters come from people who really know you, not just someone whose class you got an A in. I worked in the chemistry lab for one teacher, so he had plenty to say about my work. Keep in touch with your recommenders early and remind them about what you did when it’s time to write the letters.

The Dental School Interview

Getting invited to an interview was awesome and scary. Some schools use a regular panel, others do Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI), which are fast questions. I practiced with friends, recorded myself answering questions, and looked up common scenarios (like handling tough situations or introducing yourself).

Just be yourself. Schools want to know your real thoughts, not just if you have a perfect answer. My interview at one school turned into a chat about new dental technology, which I read about on digital dental lab pages.

Financial Considerations

The cost is a shock. Public dental schools can be $40,000 to $60,000 a year, and private ones are even more. Scholarships are hard to get but worth a shot. I took out student loans, like most people I know. Don’t forget about the cost for books, tools, and living costs. Planning ahead kept me from freaking out when I saw my bills.

Step 4: Excelling in Dental School (DDS or DMD Degree)

That first day in dental school made me feel like a little kid again—except now, everyone was smart and motivated. Once classes started, I realized this was the real test.

Dental School Curriculum

Dental school is usually four years—two years with classes, then two years with real patients. Here’s some stuff I learned:

Anatomy (way more than I thought I’d ever do)
Physiology
Oral Disease
Medicine about how drugs work
Dental materials
How to fix teeth
Making false teeth
Kids’ dentistry
Braces

Each year built on the last. If you like pictures or models, anatomy class will be cool (and sometimes gross). I used 3D models to really see what was going on.

Clinical Rotations and Patient Care

By third year, I was seeing real patients with a teacher nearby. It was scary, but each time I got better. I saw young kids, older folks, people with tough cases—everything.

Talking and working with others became just as important as fixing teeth. We had a dental ceramics lab on campus, so I could see how crowns and bridges were made, which made me appreciate the work even more.

DDS vs. DMD

People always ask: “What’s the difference between a DDS and a DMD?” There’s really no difference. Both do the same thing; the school just decides what to call your degree.

Step 5: National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE / ADEX / INBDE)

Finishing dental school isn’t the end—you still have to pass a board exam.

Overview of Licensure Exams

In my last year, I took the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), which now covers everything. Most people also take a regional hands-on exam—mine was ADEX.

Each state wants different tests, so check what your state needs.

Preparing for Board Exams

For the written part, I used test prep books and online questions. Studying in groups helped, especially for the patient cases, since you get to see how other people think. For the hands-on part, treating real patients (sometimes friends) was scary but helpful.

Most people from US dental schools pass these tests, but don’t take it for granted. Sitting in the test room with years of work on the line is stressful.

Step 6: State Licensure Requirements

Once I passed my boards, I just had to get my state license to start working.

Applying for State Licensure

Each state’s dental board is a little different. I had to send my test scores, school transcripts, give fingerprints for a background check, and pay a big fee. Some states want you to take another test about the law and ethics. Check everything carefully—it’s easy to miss something small and get delayed for weeks.

I learned to be patient. The paperwork is boring but important, and being careful helped me a lot.

Continuing Education (CE)

Getting your license doesn’t mean you’re done. Every year, I have to finish continuing education to keep my license. You learn about things like how to control infections, ethics, and new dental gadgets. Staying up-to-date helps me do a better job and keeps things fresh.

Step 7: Post-Graduation Pathways & Career Options

When I finally got my license, there were so many paths to pick.

General Dentistry

Most new dentists (me included) start as general dentists. Some join a group, some open their own office. I liked the mix of things you can do and the flexible hours. Public clinics and some big dental companies are other places to start—each has good and bad points.

Dental Specialties

Some of my classmates wanted to specialize—like braces, surgery, root canals, gum treatment, false teeth, or kids’ teeth. You have to do 2-6 more years of training, and it can be tough to get a spot, but specialists usually earn more and focus on what they like.

If you enjoy technical stuff or fixing tough teeth, check out prosthodontics—you’ll see how things happen in an implant dental laboratory.

Other Career Paths

Not everyone stays with just treating patients. Some of my teachers went into teaching, research, or even worked for dental tech startups. The military is also an option—it gives good training and benefits.

Is Becoming a Dentist Worth It? Key Considerations

Looking back, it’s not an easy choice. Here’s what I thought about.

Pros

Pay and Security: Most US general dentists make about $170,000-$200,000 a year, and specialists make even more. People will always need dentists.
Good Schedule: If you have your own office, you can set your hours and take time off—though owning a business can be tough.
Helping People: Making someone smile or get out of pain feels really good. No day is the same.
Job Outlook: The government says dentist jobs will keep going up as fast as average jobs.

Cons

Debt: Most people finish dental school owing about $300,000 to $400,000. It’s scary, but with good planning you can handle it.
It’s Hard Work: Dental school is tough on your mind and body. Long hours, standing up, bending over patients—it catches up.
Business Stress: If you open a clinic, you’re not just a dentist—you’re a boss. You have to handle money, hire people, and fix problems.

Conclusion: Your Future in Dentistry

If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about becoming a dentist. Ask yourself, “Why do I want to do this job?” If you like helping people, science, and making connections, you’re headed in the right direction.

Every step—college, DAT, dental school, exams, license—tested me in a new way. Sometimes I wanted to quit, but little wins kept me on track.

Always ask questions. Find mentors early. Don’t be scared to get your hands dirty, in any way. Whether you love the look of new teeth (like those made in a veneer lab) or just want to master new tools, dentistry has something for everyone.

Want to get started? Go shadow a dentist, improve your science skills, and ask questions. Becoming a dentist is hard work, but seeing a patient smile or finally eat pain-free makes it worth it.

Ready to start? Your story will be different from mine, but if you work hard and care about others, you can become a licensed dentist too.

Want to know more about how digital technology is changing dentistry? Take a look at what’s happening in today’s digital dental labs and see how the field is changing!

How to Become a Licensed Dentist: My Personal Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction: My Journey to Dentistry