dentaleducation

Dental education refers to the study and training of individuals to become dental professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. It encompasses undergraduate preparation, professional schooling, postgraduate training, and ongoing continuing education to maintain clinical competence and stay updated with advances in the field.

Formal dental education varies by country but generally begins after secondary school or after an undergraduate preprofessional track. In many places, the entry degree for dentists is a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), typically awarded after four years of study. The curriculum combines basic sciences—such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology—with preclinical skills and clinical experiences aimed at diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral disease.

Postgraduate education includes specialty training through residencies and fellowships, with varying lengths. Specialties include orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial pathology. General practice residency programs offer broader clinical exposure and enhanced practice readiness for general dentists.

Licensure and credentialing normally require graduation from an accredited program and satisfactory performance on licensing examinations. In the United States, accreditation is commonly through CODA, and licensure may involve national examinations such as the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) along with state clinical assessments. Specialty certification is awarded by the relevant professional boards.

Continuing education is a core component of dental education, with licensed practitioners required to complete ongoing courses to maintain licensure and integrate new technologies, evidence-based practices, and infection control standards into care. Global variation exists in accreditation bodies and credentialing pathways, reflecting diverse regulatory frameworks and workforce needs.