I'm 25. I have a business degree. I work in media research.I want to to be a dentist.How do I make the change?

I'm only 25 years old, but if you examined my teeth you wouldn't know that. I was bulimic for six years of my life when I was in the military and in college. That was two years ago. I am well now. I'm older and more mature and working in what I studied in college, which was business. Because of my past mistakes I spend every dime and all my time now in a dental chair as a patient. I've grown to want to know more, not just for myself but to help others like myself. Especially help others who can't afford the dental work. Because I can't even afford the dental work- I take it day by day. Anyhow this life experience has changed my heart and my passion in my career and I've felt a desire to shift my life to become a dentist. This decision is very personal. Only one person in my family knows about my past situation with bulimia. I don't plan on telling this until I become a dentist. If you are as dentist, can you give me some guidance on how or where to begin my process?

I'm 25. I have a business degree. I work in media research.I want to to be a dentist.How do I make the change?
Wow, congrats on overcoming your problem - i've seen my share of bulimic patients, and it's really tough...





OK, so first of all, the business degree is super handy! I just bought my first practice 18 months ago, and boy i wish i knew more about business. This is much more helpful to your future than a degree in, say, ancient Serbian Literature or something....lol





OK, first of all you have to have a fair number of science classes under your belt. You willhave to maybe go back to college and make sure you ahve at least two years of biology, one year of physics, and two years of chemistry.





If you hate science and this is a problem to take two years of it (part time? time off??) than QUIT now! Not to be a downer, but these classes are Pain in the Butt and if you aren't committed, you're wasting your time.





Ok, so you've done that. Great. Now you need to take the DAT or Dental Admissions Test - this is like med students have the MCAT and law students the LSAT. You can buy books to help you prep for this. THe test has chemistry and bio questions as well as some wacky sections call Perceptual Aptitude tests ...these are like playing Tetris, as they test your ability to think about abstract shapes and how things fit together...this is important in dentistry, since half the teeth we work on have to be done backwards and upside down!





OK, so you take that, then you apply to dental schools. There are maybe 50 in the US but not in every state. Boston , for example, has THREE but the other five New England states have none. Wacky.





find the dental schools you like best (usually closest is fine... but any of them will give you opportunities to work w/ underserved populations whether it's urban or rural or what.) Make sure of their science requirements and then go get those. Ihad a friend in dent school who was an engineer; she just had to take a few science classes and then just started dental school in her 30s...one other guy started at 38, so it's never too late.





Also before you do it, as your dentist to shadow her/him for a few days and make sure you're down w/ everything they do.... :)





good, luck, and if you have any other questions, feel free to email me. I couldn't be happier w/ my career and I've been out of school for 5+ years now, and even tho' i have a private practice I still work w/ a non-profit clinic every week or two.
Reply:you need to apply to medical school. Reseach local ones and apply.
Reply:HELLO,


FIRST, I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS FROM DRSWANSON.


THE IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO SPEAK WITH THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AT A DENTAL SCHOOL AND FIND OUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL SCHOOL. THEN TO FOLLOW UP AND GET STARTED.


GOOD LUCK.