How long is the dds program

First off, you have to pass the DAT before you can be considered for admission into the dental school of your choice.

Your undergraduate academic performance will also be considered during the admissions process, yet another proof of the highly competitive aspect of dental school admission. It is also worth noting that you can take the DAT even before you graduate college, as mentioned above.

The number of years you spend in dental school will depend on your academic performance, compliance with clinical requirements, and student status. During the first two years in dental school, you will learn subjects related to general and dental science in both the classroom and laboratory.

Your classes usually include histology, oral anatomy and microbiology, radiology, dental anesthesiology, and neuroscience. And our DDS curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of the modern dental practitioner. The curriculum offers innovative educational programs as well as an even wider range of professional development opportunities for students.

We strive to provide the next generation of oral health practitioners with not just the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their field, but the expertise to address and embrace the changing role of technologies in health care. To create a generation of forward-thinking professionals, a new unit was formed, Innovative Digital Dentistry Systems, with a mission to lead a digital transformation in dental education and oral health care through creativity, innovation, and research.

Our 4-year Doctor of Dental Surgery DDS program is distinguished by its academic excellence, world-renowned faculty, and diverse student body. Our graduates possess the preventive, diagnostic, and technical knowledge to provide comprehensive dental services in a variety of health care systems.

Children and teens have unique dental concerns, as they are still growing and developing. An oral and maxillofacial radiologist focuses primarily on the evaluation and interpretation of diagnostic images. Oral radiologists will often assist other dental professionals when evaluating the results of X-rays. An oral surgeon focuses primarily on the surgical side of dentistry.

They may conduct surgery to repair damaged tissue or to correct misalignments with the jaw. A periodontist focuses primarily on periodontal disease. They use diagnostic tools to determine the extent of periodontal disease and develop a treatment plan to address it. A prosthodontist creates crowns and dental implants and focuses on improving the overall cosmetics of the teeth.

An endodontist treats tooth conditions that extend to the root of the tooth. They evaluate, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries to the interior part of the teeth. Dental specializations can offer aspiring dentists even more career opportunities but additional education and training are required. Dental students who want to specialize in one of the nine approved ADA specializations will need to enroll in a dental program that offers the additional required training.

Becoming a dentist requires the completion of two degrees. First, students will need to complete an undergraduate degree before applying for dentistry programs. Then, you will need to complete all the requirements of your dentistry program before taking the state exam.

The following education levels typically apply to dentists:. The completion of a bachelor's degree is required before applying to any dental school. Some dental programs combine a bachelor's degree with a Doctorate of Dentistry, which can decrease a student's time in school by two years.

After completing a bachelor's degree, students will need to complete the Dental Admissions Test and begin applying for dentistry programs.

After completing a bachelor's degree, aspiring dentists will need to complete a dental program. Dental program students can expect to take courses in dental anatomy, biology, oral microbiology and dental radiology. Students will also complete multiple internships and residencies during their dental program to receive on-the-job dental training.

Students who want to specialize in a specific area of dentistry will need to complete additional training. This training usually takes place in the form of a residency, which often takes between one and two years to complete. More in-depth specializations can require even more time to complete.

Oral surgery, for example, requires a four-year residency or a six-year program to become a medical doctor. To minimize this risk, the school has adopted an Infection Control Policy that requires the wearing of a clinical overgarment, disposable gloves, a mask, and protective eye covering when oral examinations and dental procedures are being performed. State regulations require health care workers, including students, who perform surgical or dental procedures or who assist in such procedures in a way that may result in an exposure of patients to their blood, and who know themselves to be infected with HIV or HBV, to report their status to the state health director.

See UNC's policy. To be awarded a degree or certificate, students must satisfactorily complete all requirements of their respective program. Regular class and clinic attendance is a student obligation. No right or privilege exists that permits a student to be absent from any given number of sessions.

Students are granted the privilege of participating in the patient care system of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry and are expected to provide care consistent with our person-centered philosophy. Patients are a central part of the health care team and are involved in the planning of their care. It is the responsibility of the dental student to provide patients with the information needed so they make informed decisions about their treatment.

The dental student has the responsibility to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to all their assigned patients in a timely manner and to uphold the ethical responsibilities as outlined in the school's Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Clinical Behavior. Current academic policies and procedures can be found online.

However, policies are subject to change at any time. The manual provides guidelines for governing the UNC Adams School of Dentistry educational programs and advises students, faculty, and staff of academic policies and procedures related to the respective programs. Contact unccatalog unc. Search Catalog Search. Doctor of Dental Surgery, D. Julie Byerley, Interim Dean. Admissions The D.

Admission Requirements Students preparing for the study of dentistry are encouraged to complete a residential four-year curriculum leading to the B. Prerequisites Course List Code Title Hours Biology The basic requirement is eight semester hours two courses, laboratories required, one laboratory must include dissection, one of which must be human anatomy or vertebrate zoology with a laboratory.

BIOL CHEM PHYS Prospective dental students should consider the following recommendations when preparing for the dental school admissions process. Both the development of a strong preclinical science knowledge and a broad exploration of the liberal arts are valued in our applicants.

Experiences in functioning as part of a team are critical in the health professions. Prospective students should demonstrate the ability to function as both a leader and a productive team member. We want our students to be able to work with diverse populations. Experiences working in diverse communities or with diverse groups of people is suggested. Exploration of dentistry through shadowing is important in informing perspective and confirming interest in the profession.

While no minimum number of shadowing hours is required, we strongly recommend that applicants thoroughly explore the dental field with a strong emphasis on the practice of general dentistry. Multiple, long-term experiences are more highly valued than short-term interactions.

Local and global experiences are equally valued; the significance of an experience is more important than the location. Requirements The predoctoral curriculum is current as of the — academic year but it remains subject to change. First Year Courses The first year of the D. Student Membership in the Dental Community In addition to serving in various class and student organization officer positions, students are active members of the dental school community.

International Opportunities As 21st century oral health practitioners, dental students, whether pursuing a career in clinical practice or academia, must be fully cognizant of how oral health functions in a global community.

This fulfills the primary series requirement. One Tdap booster after completion of the primary series that did not include a Tdap, and then a Td vaccine every 10 years thereafter. Three polio unless greater than 18 years of age. Two measles rubeola , two mumps, one rubella two MMR doses meet this requirement or positive titers.

Hepatitis B series not required for individuals born before July 1, See school requirements below. Hepatitis B vaccination series three shots and a positive hepatitis B antibody HBsAb quantitative titer. Please make sure your physician does not order a qualitative titer.