Can a Dental Therapist Become a Dentist? Your Simple Guide to Changing Careers
Table of Contents
- Path 1: Normal Dental School Admission
- Path 2: Special Programs or Shortcuts
- Does Your Country Make a Difference?
- Time Needed
- Money Needed
- How Hard Are the Classes?
- Getting Accepted Can Be Tough
- Adjusting in Your Life and Work
- Look at Your School Records
- Check Out Dental Schools
- Get Ready for Entrance Tests
- Get Good Experience
- Talk to Other Dental Workers
- Plan for Money Needs
Introduction: Why This Question Matters to Me
When I first asked myself, “Can a dental therapist become a dentist?” I felt both excited and worried. Maybe you feel the same—thinking about leaving your dental therapist job and aiming for something bigger and harder in dentistry. I wanted more responsibility and more ways to help people, so I started looking into this. In this guide, I’ll share what I found out, step by step. We’ll look at what’s different between these jobs, how you can move up, what problems you might face, and why it might end up being the best decision you ever make.
Dental Therapist vs. Dentist: The Real Differences
The first thing I needed to know is what really makes a dental therapist and a dentist different. This really matters if you want to switch.
What Does a Dental Therapist Do?
When I started, dental therapy was all about being hands-on with patients, often with kids and teens. I mostly did check-ups, cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments, and maybe some simple extractions of baby teeth. I also helped teach families how to keep their teeth healthy.
The way to become a dental therapist usually means going to college for a couple of years, or getting a bachelor’s degree in some countries like Australia or the UK. The classes were tough, but focused on a small set of skills and job duties.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Dentists do a lot more. They don’t just fix cavities and clean teeth—they do all kinds of care for teeth and gums for people of any age. Dentists figure out what’s wrong, fix all sorts of problems (including gum disease and injuries), do root canals, pull out teeth, do minor surgery, and can give you medicine.
Dentists have to go to dental school for about four years (after they already finish college), and the classes go much deeper and cover more ground.
Why This Difference Is Important
If you want to go from dental therapist to dentist, understanding this gap is a must. You’re not just learning a few new things. You’re taking on a lot more work, learning, and responsibility. Knowing this helped me get ready for what came next.
How to Go from Dental Therapist to Dentist
So, is it possible to move from dental therapy to dentistry? Yes, you can! I did it, and while it takes time, you can too. Here’s what I learned about the main ways to do this.
Path 1: Normal Dental School Admission
This is the way I did it—it’s what most people do.
Step 1: Finish Needed Classes
First, I had to make sure my college classes included all of the required science courses. Even though my dental therapy degree had some science, I had to check if they lined up with what dental schools needed—like biology, chemistry, and physics.
Step 2: Get Your College Degree
Most U.S. and Canadian dental schools want you to finish college before you can apply. Some will take you with three years of college, but your application will be stronger with a degree.
Step 3: Take the Entrance Exams
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is needed in the US and Canada. In Australia or the UK, you might need the GAMSAT or UCAT. I had to spend lots of time reviewing science and practicing the test.
Step 4: Application Time
I used the ADEA AADSAS website in the US to apply. I had to write a personal story, share how my dental therapy background made me want to be a dentist, and get good letters of reference. Most schools also ask you to do interviews.
Step 5: Four More Years of School
Dental school is hard. It takes four years full-time, and you start learning from the basics just like everyone.
Path 2: Special Programs or Shortcuts
I checked into these a lot. Some countries (like the UK or Australia) have programs that may let you skip a bit or use your dental therapy credits. In the US and Canada, there are almost no programs like this for dental therapists—you pretty much do the full four years. If you do find a shortcut program, it usually doesn’t cut very much time.
Does Your Country Make a Difference?
Definitely. Here’s what I found:
- USA and Canada: Four years of dental school after college; you have to apply like everyone else.
- UK and Australia: Some special courses might let dental therapists in, but you usually still must do the full dental degree.
- Other places: You have to check with local dental councils and colleges.
Big Things to Think About Before Making the Switch
Switching was one of the hardest things I ever did. Here’s what I wish I knew before I started.
Time Needed
Dentistry takes a long time. I spent four years in dental school, plus time getting ready for entrance exams and finishing any missing classes. All together, you might spend seven to ten years after high school before becoming a dentist if you start as a dental therapist.
It’s tough if you already have a job. I had to balance studying, working, and family, and sometimes I had to stop working for a while.
Money Needed
Dental school costs a lot. Here’s what I saw:
- Tuition can be $50,000 to $80,000 a year in the US, not including rent, food, and other bills.
- Most dental students graduate with $300,000 to $500,000 of debt.
- You need a money plan—student loans, scholarships, savings, or help from family.
Look for scholarships and loans for dental students and get advice about paying for school! It’s easy to forget about.
How Hard Are the Classes?
Dental school is hard work. Even though I felt fine in a clinic as a dental therapist, dental school had way more and harder science—anatomy, medicine, and lab work. I spent nights and weekends studying.
Getting Accepted Can Be Tough
Don’t think your dental therapy experience will get you in for sure. You’ll still need good grades, great test scores, and strong references. Most schools take only 5–10% of people who apply.
Put your best effort into your application, try for lots of schools, make each one personal, and if you don’t get in the first time, try again.
Adjusting in Your Life and Work
Going from helping a dentist to being the one in charge is a big change. I went from following instructions to making all the main decisions. It was scary at first, but I got used to it over time as my training improved.
Why Switching Is Worth It
This journey is long and hard, but what you get in the end is amazing.
You Can Do More as a Dentist
Now I can spot and fix lots of problems, do small surgeries, and even choose to focus on areas like braces or implants. I have more control and take care of bigger cases. For example, these days I work closely with a crown and bridge lab for more advanced treatments my patients need.
You Might Earn More
The pay is better. When I was a dental therapist, I made between $70,000 and $100,000 a year. As a general dentist, that jumped to $160,000 or more. If you specialize or run your own office, the numbers go even higher.
Working with advanced tools or products can also grow your income. For complex cases, having a good implant dental laboratory to help with your work makes a difference in both results and pay.
More Ways to Learn and Grow
As a dentist, you can become a boss of your own practice, teach in dental schools, do research, or move into specialist roles. You can jump into public health or get involved in community work, too. Fixing hard dental cases gives real satisfaction.
I also keep up on the newest tools and dental materials by talking with folks at digital labs and using new tech, like what you find at a digital dental lab.
Helping More People
Your work means more as a dentist. You help more patients, share your skills, and sometimes even get to plan how teams are built or how clinics run. It feels great to really make a difference for people every day.
How to Start Your Own Journey
Thinking about making this change? Here’s how I started, with tips from my own experience.
Look at Your School Records
Check your grades and class list. Do you have all the main science classes needed? If not, you might need to go back to school for a bit before you apply to dental school.
Check Out Dental Schools
Schools are different! Make a list of schools and check exactly what they want. Look for rules about accepting older students or people switching from health jobs. Some are strict, some are flexible. Call or email them if you’re not sure.
Get Ready for Entrance Tests
Start studying for the DAT, GAMSAT, or UCAT early. These tests are hard and take months to prepare for. Use online practice tools and focus on your weak areas.
Get Good Experience
Spending time with dentists—shadowing them or volunteering—helps a lot. This can give you real-life skills and get you good references. Doing extra things like leading a project or doing research will boost your application.
Talk to Other Dental Workers
Getting advice from dentists, especially those who moved from dental therapy, is super helpful. They can help with your application and interviews.
Plan for Money Needs
Think through your money situation. Will you need loans? Can you work part-time? Does your family need to help you? Plan before you start, so you aren’t surprised later.
Also, if you’re thinking about what kind of dentistry you might like best (restorative, cosmetic, surgery), talk to labs and keep learning about new things in dental care. This will give you an edge later on.
Conclusion: Is It Worth All the Work? My Honest Thoughts
Changing from dental therapist to dentist is not easy—this is a big leap. But looking back, I’m glad I did it.
The process was way harder than I thought—so much to read, lots of worries about money, and sometimes I wondered if I would make it. But now, I feel proud, and it’s great to be able to help patients with more things.
If you’re thinking about this, go in with your eyes open. Get advice from people who did it, talk to dental students or dentists, and keep going, even when it’s tough. If you love working with people and are ready for a challenge, I think making the change is really worth it.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
How long is dental school if you were a dental therapist before?
Most dental schools take four years for your dental degree after you’re done with college and have the right classes. If you need more classes, add a year or two. In the UK and Australia, the program might last about five years.
Do dental therapy classes count for dental school?
Usually, only your general college or science classes count. You will probably have to start dental school from the beginning, unless you find a special program (which is rare).
How much more does a dentist make than a dental therapist?
In the US, dental therapists make about $70,000–$100,000 a year. Dentists usually make $160,000–$200,000, more if they have extra training or run their own business.
Am I too old to become a dentist if I’m already working?
No! There are people in dental school who had whole careers before. If you meet the school requirements, your work experience can even help you get in.
What’s hardest about dental school?
For me, the hardest parts were keeping up with how fast everything moved, learning more science, doing tough clinical work, and handling the costs. Good planning and friends helped me get through.
Are you thinking about taking the step? Where are you in the journey? No matter where you are, I hope my story helps you. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help—hearing people’s honest advice makes a big difference.
