Dentists are in charge of their patients’ overall dental hygiene and wellness. They examine, diagnose, and treat dental issues through extractions, fillings, and surgeries, in addition to providing regular teeth cleaning and preventative care.
Dentists are doctors who specialize in oral care, treating patients’ teeth, gums, and other oral problems. They teach parents how to care for their children’s teeth and gums, remove decay and fill cavities, and repair or remove damaged teeth.
If you want to be a dentist, you should be aware of the dental school admissions requirements. A Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery is required to practice dentistry (D.D.S.). Dentists with either degree receive the same education and follow the same curriculum.
Candidates for dental school must have three or more years of undergraduate education. Most dental programs require undergraduate applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and have taken science courses such as chemistry or biology.
Many applicants study biology or another science discipline as an undergraduate. To be considered for a program, dental school applicants must typically take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
Students in dental school study periodontics, anatomy, local anesthesia, and radiology. All dental programs include clinical experience, in which students gain hands-on experience working with patients.
Clinical experience is included in all dental programs, where students gain hands-on experience working directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
[lwptoc]
Training of a Dentist
If you want to be a general dentist, dental school will provide you with all of the necessary training. However, if you want to specialize in one area, you will need to complete additional training before you can practice dentistry in that area.
Dental anesthesiology, endodontics, dental public health, periodontics, and prosthodontics are among the ten specialties.
The residency is typically two to four years long and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Oral and maxillofacial surgery programs typically last four to six years, and graduates may earn a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree.
Read also: Top Dental Schools in Detroit
Advanced dental training, such as a postdoctoral program in general dentistry, may be required for dentists who want to conduct full-time research in an academic setting or teach.
Dental school in Houston
There is just one dental school in Houston and here is a little description on it below.
1. UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
Houston Dental Careers was established as a post-secondary career school that provides entry-level training for those wishing to become registered dental assistants.
Their mission is to provide a low-cost alternative to traditional educational programs by emphasizing the practical clinical skills required to work as a dental assistant.
They believe that by focusing on the essential skills required to become a valuable member of any dental practice, people can be trained in a relatively short period of time.
Their course was created by practicing dentists and registered dental assistants who work in the dental community on a daily basis. UTHealth Houston is the state’s resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and patient care excellence.
UTHealth Houston is one of the most comprehensive academic health centers in the country. UTHealth Houston’s mission as a comprehensive health science university is to educate health science professionals, discover and translate advances in the biomedical and social sciences, and model best practices in clinical care and public health.
They pursue this mission to improve the quality of human life by improving disease and injury diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as promoting individual health and community well-being.
The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston has graduated over 10,000 dentists, dental hygienists, and postgraduate generalists and specialists since its inception in 1905. The dental school is part of the UTHealth Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), which also includes medical, nursing, public health, biomedical sciences, and biomedical informatics schools.
Contact: +1 713-486-4000
Address: 7500 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77054, United States
Dental Assistant Schools in Houston
Are you unsure whether a career as a dental assistant is right for you and where to begin? Dental assistant programs for entry-level assisting and certification as a registered dental assistant are a less expensive alternative to four-year universities.
The dental assistant is responsible for two aspects of dental practice: To the patient:
- Introduce yourself to the patient
- Accompany the patient to the treatment area
- Position the Patient (correct dental chair adjustment)
- Talk to the patient to make him or her feel better.
- Cover the patient
- Describe the procedures to be carried out
- Highlight the patient’s benefits from the procedures.
- Discuss the dentist’s expertise in performing the procedures.
- After treatment, reposition the chair.
To the doctor:
- Charting (recording the patient’s oral condition during the dental examination)
- X-Rays (take, develop, and mount)
- Assist the dentist with patient procedures.
- Gather necessary materials for the procedures to be carried out.
- Clean and sterilize instruments
- Prepare instrument trays
- Set up treatment rooms in accordance with infection control guidelines.
- Organize dental supplies
Dental Assisting Schools in Houston
Here are a few dental assisting schools in Houston
1. Edwards Institute for Dental Assisting
Their curriculum at Edwards Institute for Dental Assisting includes radiology exam preparation. The state requires dental assistants to sit for the radiology exam after graduating and one year of supervision under a dentist.
However, because radiology training is included in their program, their graduates do not need to return to school. They can sit for this exam and receive their Radiology Certification as soon as they graduate.
Contact: +1 713-669-0902
Address: 2600 S Loop W #410, Houston, TX 77054, United States
2. Houston Dental Careers
Houston Dental Careers was established as a postsecondary career school that provides entry-level training for those wishing to enter the dental profession.
They believe that by focusing on the essential skills required to become a valuable member of any dental practice, people can be trained in a relatively short period of time.
The subjects are covered in class as well as through practical hands-on training with the equipment, instrumentation, and materials used in modern dental practice.
This program is designed to prepare students to work as dental assistants. You will be able to perform a variety of laboratory, clinical, and administrative duties after graduation. Friday classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The graduate is awarded a certificate and is ready to work as a Registered Dental Assistant. A Registered Dental Assistant must first pass the Registered Dental Assistant Exam administered by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
This exam is included in your tuition. It also includes all textbooks, supplies, and materials, as well as a CPR certification for healthcare workers.
Address: 2508 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058, United States
Contact: +1 281-280-0645
3. Dental Assisting School of Houston
A group of dentists frustrated with the lack of qualified applicants in today’s job market for a Dental Assistant Career founded the Dental Assisting School of Houston.
Their goal is to provide opportunities for those who want to pursue a career in dentistry but have no prior experience in the field. Their programs will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a qualified Dental Assistant.
They have the only program in Texas that allows you to train in a multi-discipline clinical setting (Endodontic, Oral Surgery, Orthodontic, Pediatric, and General Dentistry) inside the best, cutting-edge facility. Furthermore, they provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn fundamental skills and practice them in real-world settings with real dentists and real patients.
Their hands-on methodology is exclusive and especially unique in Dental Assistant Career Training. You will graduate from the Dental Assisting School of Houston with the knowledge and skills to work anywhere in the dental industry. As a result, their programs are an excellent way to get a head start on a great new dental job.
Address: 12168 Bellaire Blvd Suite 110, Houston, TX 77072, United States
Contact: +1 281-601-1106
Conclusion on the Dental school in Houston
The Texas dental industry requires more dental assistants, and the profession is recession-resistant in this time of economic uncertainty.
People require dental care regardless of the economy, and they must always have access to qualified professionals who can assist them.
It takes time and patience to become a dentist, but with the right expectations, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to achieve your goals.
Dentistry, like other medical professions, requires years of training and hands-on experience. Preparing for the right college courses and internships will improve your chances of success.
