Dentists have been in existence for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages barber surgeons would perform dentistry, minor surgery, cut hair and apply leeches. In the 1700’s the first extensive textbook was published in France. Dentists were not formally trained, but made up an apprentice type trade until 1840 when the Doctor of Dental Surgery was created and the first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was established.

Today a dentist must attend four years at a dental school to receive either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. In order to enter dental school an examination must be taken and there are prerequisite science courses that must be completed at the undergraduate level. Technically you do not have to have a four-year undergraduate degree for dental school acceptance, however most dentists do. In order to receive a state license, a clinical and written examination must be passed. To maintain your state license you must take a minimum number of continuing education courses each year.

Dentistry is a wonderful career. It requires you to be a scientist, engineer, architect, psychologist and an artist. You get to use “cool” toys, wreck things, build things and you don’t have to clean up.