really I'd like to change careers and become a DENTIST?
474030
Make sure you want to get into dentistry.  The reason being that you will its a difficult occupation.  Most patients dont want to be there.  You arent working with the best body part (peoples body parts etc..).. Children are particularly difficult to work with.  The pay is medium for a health occupation.  Many people do not take these facts into consideration.\n\nPeople argue "well all health professions deal with these types of people" and I would arge not so.  Optomologist deal with patients that want to get their eyes fixed.. The procedures are quick and the results are grand (well in the eyes -no pun intended- of the patients).. Lots of rewards there..
818789
You should be able to find work as a dental assistant and you do not require a license or certification for this in most states.  Certification is OFFERED to allow you to more clinical procedures, but it is not required.  The thing is, you WILL be limited to dental assisting.  You would not become an assistant dentist.  In fact, I have had a foreign dentist as a patient and she decided to become an assistant as a fast track to an income, as her foreign dental degree was worthless in the job market.\n\nIn order to get licensed, you will need to be certified by a USA dental school to take the licensing examination.  NO school will do that without a minimum of two years education in their facility.  When they certify you, their reputation sits with you as you take the board examination.  Funding rests on the number of successful candidates.  They can not afford to just let you try it once under their name and see how it goes.\n\nMany dental schools have 2-to-3 year programs to retrain foreign dentists so that they can be certified to take the licensing board examinations.\n\nOften, if you are experienced, you will be able to work in the dental school as a pre-clinical or clinical instructor, so you can have some help paying your expenses this way.\n\nhttp://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic/PASSprogram/pass-program.html describes one such program.
793519
i don't think dental education is as demanding time-wise.\nlots of married people finish med school, though it is great stress.\nconsider the income difference of doctors and dentists for the rest of your life...
1180471
No one can really answer that except yourself.  Some people find biotechnology far more interesting, others find dentistry does it for them.  I would recommend seeing if you could "job shadow" a dentist and someone in biotech for awhile, so you can determine which holds more interest for you.  If you are currently in college, there are quite often programs in place to be able to do this.  However, you can always approach people on your own.  Just explain why you would like to shadow...people are often willing to show off what they know and help others  on their way.
393104
Check with an Local University.\nThey probably have a dental clinic or days you can come in as students need practice , supervised by a professor.\nAsk to speak to someone over Dentistry studies in the college.
912063
It's possible , But asked your Dentist tomorrow.
854818
I doubt it but go and ask your dentist for advice.
573491
You might be able to get work done at a University where students are training to be dentists.
102366
If you qualify you can sign up for Welfare.  This will allow them to pay for your teeth and other health problems that may happen in the future.  It maybe worth a try.
714567
Try contacting these people,,\n\nUniv of Tx Dental college\n\nhttp://www.db.uth.tmc.edu/clinic-pat/Patient_Information/becoming1.htm\n\nHere's another list of organiations/agencies\n\nhttp://www.hd.co.harris.tx.us/chs/dental/Dental%20Web%20Docs/Dental%20Access%20Intro%20Page.htm\n\nMost of these places are overloaded,,and there's usually waiting lists and "red tape"...\nIt's frustrating,,but stick with it.\n\nThanks for trying to help your friend\n\nGood luck to Y'all
535403
If you like dentistry and have aptitude for it, you should pursue the postgraduate work.
451570
Most dentists do major in some type of science for their bachelor's degree, however, you can major in whatever you like.  For example, I have known dentists that were psychology majors.
222558
Depends if you want to be in your local area or if you are willing to travel far distance.  I would sugest this website  http://dentalassistant.erablecie.org/ and just take it from there.
269630
how about going to your dentist and asking them what would be a good one to do, they should have plenty of ideas as they will now about all aspects.
481713
Lemme see, rush to begin a long working life of dealing with people's bad teeth, or put that off for a while and remain a stoodent.... Hmmmm.... a tough one! lol!\n\nI say forget Canada, there is a shortage of Dentists in England.  You sound ready to start that new chapter, and it's better and easier to make a fresh start when you are younger.    What an adventure -- so far away and so within your grasp!  You will be young enough to make a success of it and young enough to be able to quit and go home and still be able to make a good life for yourself.\n\nYou know in your heart that you're done with the formal student aspect, the rising debt and the lost time.  When will you start making money -- when you have paid back all your debt aged 45?  That sucks badly.  You will be wanting by that age to have a large German Car, wife, couple of kids, big house in a leafy suburb and maybe a yacht too (to get away from the large German wife, lol!).\n\nEngland is getting into cosmetic dentistry in a BIG way due to TV makeover shows.  Even just teeth whitening in England will make you rich beyond averice.  You will retire young.\n\nCome on, 25 is ready.  You are ready.  Your life awaits! Time to get your teeth into something (!)
469100
i used to be a dental assistant.  now i am in dental school studying to be a dentist.  it is a fantastic field to work in, but you really have to love it.  it is detail oriented, hard on your back and hands, your workspace is very small (the human mouth); this is a medical field which means you will deal with blood; and it may require you to have your own practice so business skills come into play; you will be in close contact with patients; you need great communication skills, manual dexterity...\n\nbest advice i can give you is to go visit a local dentist who will let you shadow them for a day or two, so you can see exactly what kind of working environment you can expect, how the dental office works (basically), and so on.....\n\ngood luck
1139658
Look for dental colleges in your area.  They often have students preform the same services as a dentist for little or no money.  These students have gone through years of training and are constantly supervised.\nBut, when these services are offered, they fill up fast!!  Check colleges in your area and then call to make a time.