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Dentist
Healthy teeth and good oral hygiene are both vital not only for oral health but for overall health, as infections of the mouth and gums have proven to be fatal.  Helping people maintain or restore good oral hygiene and educating them on dental care is a service that is honorable and widely-needed.  If you consider yourself personable, have a passion for helping people of all ages, are of sound dexterity, and love Science, Math, Health, and technology, then you should seriously consider becoming a Dentist.

Dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.  They also treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth, in addition to fitting dental appliances and providing preventive care.  Yet, providing advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health is another essential role.  Tools and equipment include x-ray machines, drills, mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels, in addition to lasers, digital scanners, and other computer technologies.

The duties of a Dentist include but are not limited to:  removing decay from teeth and filling cavities; repairing cracked or fractured teeth and removing teeth; straightening teeth to correct bite issues; placing sealants or whitening agents on teeth; giving anesthetics to keep patients from feeling pain during procedures; writing prescriptions for antibiotics and/or other medications; examining x-rays of teeth, gums, the jaw, and nearby areas for problems; making models and taking measurements for dental appliances, such as dentures, to fit patients; and teaching patients about diet, flossing, use of fluoride, and other aspects of dental care.

High school students interested in becoming a Dentist benefit from taking Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology/Anatomy, Nutrition, Health, Chemistry, and Physics.  Students entering Pre-Dentistry Bachelor's of Science programs with no previous Dentistry training should expect a period of 4 years to complete said program.  Dentists must be licensed in all states; requirements vary by state.  To qualify for a license in most states, applicants must graduate from an accredited dental school and pass written and practical exams.  Before practicing dentistry, graduates must complete additional training in the form of a 1- or 2-year residency in a program.  Dentists who wish to practice in one of the nine specialties must attain a license in that specialty, which usually requires 2 to 4 years of additional education after dental school and completion of a special state exam.    

The nine specialties of dentistry are:  Dental Public Health Specialists (promote good dental health and dental-disease prevention in communities); Endodontists (perform root-canal therapy); Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists (diagnose diseases in the head and neck through use of imaging technologies); Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (operate on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck, and head); Oral Pathologists (diagnose oral diseases such as oral cancer, lesions, ulcers, etc.); Orthodontists (straighten teeth with braces, etc.); Pediatric Dentists (children and special-needs patients); Periodontists (gums and bone supporting the teeth); and Prosthodontists (replace missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures).

As studies continue to link oral health to overall health, Dentists will continue to see an increase in public demand for their services.  And though employment of Dentists is expected to grow by 21 percent over the next decade, it is not expected to keep pace with the increased demand for dental services, as there are still areas of the country where patients have little access to dental care.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $142,740

Salary Range:  ~$74,490 - $192,450+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming a Dentist have been to attain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Pre-Dentistry, Biology (Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Health Professions, or Medical Technology concentration), Chemistry (Pre-Dentistry concentration), Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Medical (Dentistry concentration), or Medical Technology.

All dental schools require applicants to have completed certain required science courses, such as Biology and Chemistry.  Majoring in a science, such as Biology, might increase the chances of being accepted, but no specific major is required to enter most dental programs.

College students who plan on applying to dental school must take the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) during their junior year.  Dental schools use the DAT, GPA, and recommendations to admit students into their programs.  Required classes in dental schools include:  Local Anesthesia, Anatomy, Periodontology, and Radiology.  All dental schools include practice where students work with patients in a clinical setting under the supervision of a Licensed Dentist.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have a School of Dentistry, specialty of dentistry programs, and/or related undergraduate majors are:  Howard University (Washington, DC); Meharry Medical College (Nashville, Tennessee); Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, California); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Albany State University (Albany, Georgia); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); Paine College (Augusta, Georgia); and Morris College (Sumter, South Carolina).
Available Scholarships