If you intend to pursue a career in dentistry, the knowledge of the dentistry schools in Iowa is essential piece for you.
Dentistry is the area of medicine that focuses on the teeth, gums, and mouth. It is also referred to as dental medicine and oral medicine.
It entails the investigation, diagnosis, management, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, disorders, and conditions, with the dentition (the growth and placement of teeth) and oral mucosa receiving the majority of the attention.
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Overview of Dentistry Schools in Iowa
Dentistry may also include the temporomandibular joint and other components of the craniofacial complex.
The professional is known as a dentist. Dentists identify and manage diseases of the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Dentists undertake extractions, root canals, and tooth replacements in addition to giving oral hygiene instructions and preventive care.
Anesthetics are frequently used by dentists to assist patients in minimizing pain during treatments. Additionally, they take and analyze x-rays of the mouth. These specialists could operate in general dentistry or a particular field.
To meet the schedules of their patients, some dentists operate on the weekends or in the evenings. Dentists work in offices, either alone or as part of a team of dentist partners.
A solo dentist may work up to 80 hours per week, which is why many choose to join a partnership. Dentists collaborate with and supervise dental hygienists, who perform scheduled cleanings and provide patient instructions.
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Dental assistants, office managers, receptionists, and lab technicians are also important members of the team.
A larger practice may also hire one or more people to handle billing, insurance coding, bookkeeping, and other administrative tasks that keep a small business running smoothly.
Personal Requirements of a Dentist
The following abilities and qualities are required to become a dentist:
Excellent communication skills: you must be able to clearly explain complicated procedures. You must be able to communicate with patients of all ages and backgrounds.
Normal color vision and good eyesight
Excellent hand-eye coordination: capable of performing delicate procedures with a variety of instruments.
Excellent concentration: you’ll need to be able to focus for extended periods of time.
Leadership abilities: You must be able to manage a team of employees and perform administrative tasks on occasion.
People skills: you can put people at ease and make them feel at ease even when they are nervous. You are concerned about people’s well-being and have genuine compassion and empathy.
You must be ambitious and eager to learn in order to succeed.
Steps in becoming a Dentist
See below;
Step 1: Start a Bachelor’s Degree Program.
Although a pre-dentistry Bachelor’s degree is not required, it will provide you with all of the prerequisite courses and will give you an advantage when entering dental school.
If you are not pursuing a pre-dentistry major, you should include biochemistry, anatomy, physical chemistry, and physiology in your coursework to meet the prerequisites for dental school.
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You should also maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 in order to be admitted to dental school.
Step 2: Take the Dental Admission Examination.
To be accepted into a dental school, you must take and pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
The DAT will evaluate your scientific and academic knowledge and is the most important factor in dental school admission.
Your admission requirements will be completed by your college GPA, letters of recommendation, and interviews. The DAT is a scale-scored test with a maximum score of 30, and you must score at least 17 to meet most school requirements.
Step 3: Get Your Dental Degree
Full-time attendance at dental school will take four years. You can earn a Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, and the program must be accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA).
The first two years will be academic, and the final two years will be clinical, with supervised experience treating dental patients. During the first two years of dental school, students concentrate on health and dental science classroom and laboratory studies.
Oral pathology, periodontics, dental anesthesia, orthodontics, radiology, and pharmacology are some of the courses available.
Clinical practice is emphasized in the final two years of dental school, with students diagnosing and treating patients under the supervision of dental instructors.
4th Step: Obtain Licensure
To practice, all dentists must be licensed by the state. State requirements differ; however, all states require passing the National Board Dental Examinations.
This written exam is divided into two parts that cover dental sciences, ethics, and clinical procedures.
All candidates must also pass a practical exam administered or approved by their state’s licensing board. States may also impose prerequisites such as first aid or CPR certification, a background check, or an examination.
Step 5: Think About Specialization
Although many dentists find a career niche in general practice, others choose to further their education in order to specialize in a specific area of practice.
There are post-DMD or post-DDS education options available to allow licensed dentists to practice in a variety of specialties.
The American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure lists nine major dental specialties:
- Dentofacial orthopedics and orthodontics
- Pathology of the mouth and jaws
- Prosthodontics
- Maxillofacial and oral surgery
- Dentistry for children
- Public health dentistry
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
A specialty requires an additional two to four years of education, as well as a two-year residency before you can be licensed in that field.
Dentistry Schools in Iowa
Here is a dentistry school in Iowa;
1. The University of Iowa College
Their dental clinics receive more than 170,000 patient visits annually and are a crucial component of the University of Iowa’s academic health campus.
The college also offers 26 community programs geared toward kids, people with special needs, and seniors, including a geriatrics mobile dental unit that has won awards.
Their dental clinics are a crucial state asset that assist individuals and communities in meeting their dental care needs.
Dental students who are accepted into our highly selective and thorough DDS program receive education in the latest information, technical excellence, ethics, and practice management with a strong focus on critical thinking and problem-based learning.
Since 78% of Iowa’s dentists are graduates of the institution, this educational program has played a significant role in training exceptional dentists and specialists both in Iowa and around the world.
After four years, dental students at Iowa have more clinical experience than dental students at any other dental school in the nation. This is due to our unique third-year curriculum, which consists of clerkships that offer experiences in a wide range of dental specialties.
Every one of these specializations is included in our dental curriculum and in advanced training programs at the college, which has more recognized ADA dental specialties than any other dental school in the nation.
Approximately 25% of pre-doctoral students at the college participate in the college’s award-winning Dental Student Research Program.
Address: 801 Newton Rd, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
Contact: +1 319-335-7499
Conclusion on the Dentistry Schools in Iowa
The field of dentistry has a promising future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 19% annual growth through 2026, far exceeding the national average for all occupations.
Much of this growth can be attributed to the aging baby boomer generation, as well as ongoing research that links good oral health to overall health.
Similarly, specialties will grow at the same or faster rate as new technology is introduced and recent advances, such as the use of implants, become more affordable to the general public.
In 2017, the median annual salary for general dentists was $158,120. This typically represents dentists in the middle stages of their business growth; the bottom 10% of dentists (typically those just starting out) earned less than $70,000, while the top 10% (reflecting specialty areas) earned more than $208,000.
According to Payscale, the average dentist salary is $126,876. Dentists who work in a partnership practice may also be eligible for bonuses and profit shares, which can significantly increase their income.
Pediatric dentists earn an average of $174,069 per year, with a high range of $255,806 per year, and Orthodontists earn an average of $172,490 per year, with a high range of $300,829.
Again, those with 10 to 20 years of experience in the field typically earn more per year. Good dental health is essential for overall health, and dentistry is recognized as a primary care profession.
When deciding if it is worthwhile for you to become a dentist, there are various aspects to consider. The most important question is probably: do you enjoy your job? If this is the case, you should consider pursuing a career in dentistry.
Many people are drawn to dentistry because of the high pay. Because not everyone enjoys working as a dentist, the question of whether pursuing this vocation is worthwhile is totally dependent on your interests and circumstances. Following completion of a bachelor’s degree and the
Dental Admissions Test, prospective dentists must pursue a professional or doctorate degree in dental surgery or dental medicine, get licensing, and seek further specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below, you will see the answers to some of of the most asked questions relating to the Dentistry Schools in Iowa;
- Is dentistry school difficult?
Dental school is a roller coaster ride. Some semesters are more difficult than others, much like in college.
In contrast to undergrad, all of your students will have the same coursework each semester, so you will never be the only one who is overburdened with difficult classes.
- Is it necessary for dentists to conduct research?
Although research experience is not required for admission to dental school, it may enhance your application if the institutions to which you are applying have a research focus or if you are particularly interested in research.
- Is there a Dental Hygiene program at the University of Iowa?
The University of Iowa (formerly the State University of Iowa) Dental Hygiene program began in 1949, when the Board of Regents approved the formation of a dental hygiene school at the State University of Iowa.
- Is the University of Iowa a reputable dental school?
The University of Iowa was ranked 10th in the country and 2nd in the Big 10 for National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funding in 2020, with more than $6.4 million.