How to Become a Dentist in Texas

Co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Last Updated: January 6, 2023 References

Dentists in Texas can work in private practices, public hospitals, teach, or conduct laboratory research. In this large state, dentists receive competitive salaries and have many professional opportunities. To become a dentist in Texas, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree, graduate from a dental school program, and obtain a dental license.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing For Dental School

1
Earn a bachelor's degree and complete all prerequisite courses. Although you can major in any subject and still apply to dental school, it will be easier to meet the prerequisite course requirements if your major relates to pre-dentistry or science.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.} Strive for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, which will make you a more competitive applicant.
- All dental schools list undergraduate course requirements on their websites, which may vary slightly according to the institution. These often include: cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics and histology.
2
Take the Dental Admission Test during your junior year. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is distributed by the American Dental Association and is required to get into dental school. The test consists of 280 multiple-choice questions divided into four separate sections, which are scored on a scale of 1 to 30.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Dental Association
World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
Go to source} Plan to take the test about 15 months before starting dental school, typically during the spring or summer following your junior year of college.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}
- Competitive dental school applicants generally receive a score of 18 or better in each section.
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3
Choose which dental schools you want to apply to. Make sure that the programs you apply to are approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). You can go to dental school out of state and still become a dentist in Texas.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.} But if you want to complete your schooling in-state, there are three dental schools to choose from:
- Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry
- University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Dental School
4
Apply to dental school online after your junior year. For most dental programs, the initial application is through an online common application known as the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). If you are a Texas resident applying for Texas dental schools, you will need to use an alternate online application portal: the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).^{[5]
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Research source} Some programs may also require supplementary information beyond the common application, and even ask select students to interview.
- It is very important to apply early, typically by early July following your junior year.
- You will start to hear back from dental schools beginning December 1st of your senior year.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Completing Dental School

1
Research ways to fund your education through scholarships and loans. Dental school is often expensive, so it can be important to seek out ways to supplement your tuition. This includes taking out student loans as well as looking for different scholarships. The American Dental Association offers scholarships to underrepresented minorities and second year students, and other students may be eligible for federally funded scholarships.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
American Dental Association
World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
Go to source}
2
Complete biological science coursework during first two years of dental school. A standard dental program lasts four years. The first two years focus mainly on learning the structure of the body and which diseases can affect it. Classes often include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology.^{[7]
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- You will also simulate some clinical situations by practicing on models of the teeth and mouth.
3
Pass the National Board Dental Examination Part I. You will typically take Part I of the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) after your first or second year of dental school. It focuses on the basic science curriculum, includes 400 questions, and lasts seven hours. Performance is scored on a pass/fail basis.^{[8]
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4
Work directly with patients during the last two years of dental school. The second half of most dental programs mostly consists of clinical study. You will likely rotate through a number of hospitals, clinics, and other off-campus community environments while working under the supervision of a clinical instructor. You will learn how to care for a wide range of patients, including geriatric, disabled, and chronically ill patients, as well as children.^{[9]
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5
Pass the National Board Dental Examination Part II. You will typically take Part II of the NBDE during your third or fourth year of dental school. It focuses on clinical dentistry, includes 500 questions, and stretches over two days. Like Part I, performance is scored on a pass/fail basis.^{[10]
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6
Complete the program to earn your doctorate degree. At the end of four years, you will be awarded a doctorate degree—either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) degree, depending on your school. These are equivalent degrees.
7
Pursue further education, if you plan to become a specialist. You may decide, upon completing dental school, that you would like to work in a more specialized field than general dentistry. If so, you must seek additional training by being accepted into a residency or postgraduate program. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to 6 years to complete, depending on which specialty you’ve decided to focus on.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}
- The 9 ADA-recognized dental specialties are dental public health; endodontics; oral and maxillofacial pathology; oral and maxillofacial radiology; oral and maxillofacial surgery; orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics; pediatric dentistry; periodontics; and prosthodontics.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Dental Association
  World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
  Go to source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Obtaining a Texas Dental License

1
Pass a Texas-approved clinical exam. Clinical exams require you to perform treatments on patients. They are administered by various regional exam boards, typically at dental schools. You may need to contact the testing agency directly to schedule your clinical exam. Texas accepts results from all five of these agencies: Western Regional Examining Board, Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Northeast Regional Board, Southern Regional Testing Agency, and Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
American Dental Association
World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
Go to source}
- Examination results will be accepted by the state licensing board for five years from the date of the test.
- Unlike the National Board Dental Examination, which is fairly standardized, these clinical exams vary widely depending on which board administers them.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Dental Association
  World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
  Go to source}
2
Obtain a dental license “by examination.” This is the most common method of licensure for recent graduates of dental school. You do not have to take any additional tests, although you must already have a DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-accredited dental school, passed Part I and II or the NBDE, and passed a clinical examination.</ref>
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must also submit to a Fingerprint Criminal Records Check and have completed the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) Jurisprudence Assessment less than a year earlier. Records must be mailed to the TSBDE to be approved.
3
Obtain a dental license “by credentials” if you are already a practicing dentist in a different state. The requirements are similar to licensure by examination, but you must also currently be licensed as a dentist in good standing in another U.S. state or territory. You must have practiced dentistry for a minimum of 3 of the last 5 years, or worked as a dental educator for the last 5 years. Applicants must complete a Level II background information report.
4
Obtain a dental license “by foreign graduation,” if you are a foreign student or dentist. In addition to the general qualifications necessary for licensure by examination, you must complete a program designated by the American Dental Association and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which includes at least two years of training.
5
Find a job as a dentist in Texas. Now that you’ve obtained your license, you are ready to practice dentistry. In addition to private practices, many other options are available for dentists with appropriate credentials across the state—including working in a hospital, conducting lab research, or teaching at a dental school. Research the many different career opportunities and choose the one that fits your lifestyle and personality.
- Consider seeking out an associateship position. For most dentists, their first job after graduating is an associateship with an established dentist. You can find these jobs through career boards offered by your dental program or by the American Dental Association and other dental societies.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How long does it take to become a dentist in Texas?

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Licensed Dentist

Expert Answer

At least 8 years. It's going to take 4 years to get your undergraduate degree, and then dental school will be another 4 years after that. If you want to specialize in something, like oral surgery or orthodontics, it will require more schooling after that.
Question

How hard is it to get into dentistry school?

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Licensed Dentist

Expert Answer

It's not a breeze, but it's also very achievable depending on how much work you're willing to put in. Getting into dental school requires passing the dental admissions exam, which can be a very difficult test for some people. If you can pass that and maintain a good GPA, you can get in!
Question

What kind of test do I take to get into dental school?

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Licensed Dentist

Expert Answer

You need to pass the dental admissions exam. It's very comparable to the MCAT or the entrance exam for medical school. It's a standardized test that you'll take before you apply to dental school.