Whether you or your child is an aspiring dentist, finding the right dentistry training is critical to ensuring a career in the industry. Dental courses are expensive and must be taken on school campuses. They require time, practice and dedication to the field to succeed.

Dentistry education is a competitive field, and you will need to go through an application process to begin your dental training. If you want to go so far as being a dentist, realize that it will require at least eight years after high school to become a professional in the field.

To find the right dentistry education for you:

1. Decide to what level you want to pursue your dentistry education -- as a dentist or a dental assistant.

2. Determine what your budget is for your dentistry classes or dental assistants' school.

3. Assess the time commitment that you are willing to put into your dentistry courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Be in-the-know about the field before jumping into dentistry education and training

Be knowledgeable about the field before making an investment into education in dentistry. It is a long training path that requires both time and finances to pursue.

I recommend: Find out career information such as nature of the work and salary from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Check out the descriptive information that CareerOverview.com has to share on the topic. Don't miss the field overview at the American Dental Education Association site.

Find dentist and dental assistant schools through specific directory sites

Use an industry-specific directory to find out where to find education in dentistry in the US.

I recommend: Look at the listing of DDS/DMD Programs in the US from the American Dental Association. Check out the Directory of Dental Schools in the US from DentalSchools.com. You can also find US Dental School listings through DentalSite.com.

Find a university offering a dentistry education curriculum

Pursue your dentistry education through an accredited university program.

I recommend: Consider pursuing your dentistry education through the UNC School of Dentistry. Aim high for the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Go after your dentistry learning at the ULCA School of Dentistry. Another option is the VCU School of Dentistry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if your learning institution offers any dentistry training scholarships to help you pursue your training. You should also look into local, regional, state and industry scholarship opportunities as well.
• •  Being a dentist is usually a solo practice endeavor, so investing in dental courses isn't your only task. You have to learn to think like a businessperson also to get your practice off the ground. You will need to learn business management, finances, hiring and firing, inventory control and good customer service to make your business a viable organization in your community.