10 Best Degrees For A Career In Dentistry | What to study if you want to be a dentist (2023)

Dentistry is an integral part of oral health care, which includes everything from treating gum disease to providing braces for teenagers and adults. With the right education, you can go into many different dental careers, from dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental assistants. Although you must meet extensive educational requirements if you want to become a dentist, the only graduation requirement is that you earn some type of undergraduate degree before enrolling in a four-year dental program.

Upon completing your studies for this degree, you will also be assigned to take pre-dental courses to support your studies and ensure you are fully prepared for dental school. While it is possible to enroll in virtually any bachelor's degree if you want to become a dentist, there are some degrees that are more beneficial than others and will help prepare you for a career in dentistry. Listed below are ten of the best bachelor's degrees available for people seeking a career in dentistry.

1. BS in Biochemistry

BiochemistryIt is an undergraduate degree and a very popular field of study for students seeking a career in dentistry. Some of the main courses taken during a biochemistry course include biology, calculus, physics and chemistry. The learning content will prepare you for careers in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, providing you with a variety of useful laboratory skills.

A degree in biochemistry will help you in your career in dentistry, as every dentist needs to have a solid understanding of biochemistry to do their job. All dentists need to understand the molecular physiology of the body and the viruses and bacteria that live within it. Oral health can affect the health of the rest of a person's body, which is why biochemistry is crucial. Students without a degree in biochemistry must also take courses in this discipline during graduation.

By studying biochemistry, you will gain knowledge about the role of biochemistry in dentistry, which mainly deals with specific dental problems. For example, an understanding of biochemistry is needed to better understand the formation of dental caries and plaque. Biochemistry also plays a key role in advancing diagnostic and research techniques for dentistry. These advances are happening at a rapid pace. Students earning a BS in biochemistry should gain extensive experience working in state-of-the-art laboratories that can prepare them for a career in dentistry.

2. Bachelor of Science in Physics

ABachelor of PhysicsThe degree is normally taken by students interested in starting a career in research physics. If you want to be a dentist, you have to take physics classes for at least two semesters. While it is possible to take physics courses with another degree, a physics degree opens up numerous careers that you may wish to access. Physics is a very tricky subject that prepares you for dental school.

Courses taken by students pursuing a B.S. in Physics provide the student with a comprehensive foundation of physics that can be used later in a dental career. Most of the courses you will take during this course will include laboratory and classroom components. In addition to some math, computer programming, and chemistry courses you must complete, the physics courses you must take for this degree include the following:

• computer aided methods
• electricity and magnetism
• Digital and analog electronics
• quantum mechanics
• thermodynamics
• physics in the laboratory
• astrophysics

While a physics degree may not be necessary for some dental careers, physics has a lot to do with dentistry. Oral surgical instruments, X-rays and lasers are all based on many of the principles you'll learn in your physics class. Many of the tools used by a dentist are based on torsion and leverage principles. Some of the more complicated aspects of dentistry require at least a basic understanding of physics principles.

3. Bachelor of Molecular Biology

ABachelor of Science in MolecularbiologyThe degree is a complex degree involving an interdisciplinary science. Molecular biology combines aspects of the natural sciences such as genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and biophysics. Therefore, the many courses you will take in this course will focus on the four subjects mentioned above, plus math, computer science, and chemistry. Many of the fundamentals covered in the courses on this course are an integral part of modern advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

If you want to earn a bachelor's degree in molecular biology, it is highly recommended that you have an interest in science. Many students who enroll in a molecular biology course choose to major in neurobiology, cell biology, or microbiology. Students with a B.S. in molecular biology will typically pursue a career in the biomedical sciences. Molecular biology is an essential part of dentistry that allows dentists to better understand the diseases and health conditions they treat. As molecular biology focuses on understanding the interactions between different systems in a cell, the very foundation of oral health has to do with this specific topic.

The study of molecular biology also allows dentists to advance personalized treatment, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all treatment methodology. Based on molecular biology, treatment can be tailored to the individual needs of each patient, so studying molecular biology can be useful for any student who wants to enter the field of dentistry.

4. Biological Sciences

Biologyis a degree option that students can enroll in if they want to become dentists. During your studies, you will learn about cellular, supracellular, molecular, and supramolecular processes that form the foundation of dentistry. Required by most dental schools, these subjects can help you learn about oral microbiology, bone biology, tooth development, and pain research, all of which are important for dentists before embarking on this career path.

Some of the subject-related competencies that a life science degree prepares students for include:

• understand genetics
• Understanding the role biology plays in society
• Understand the relationship between all living things
• Application of science to research
• Incorporate sustainable living practices whenever possible

As with most science courses that students may complete before studying dentistry, students enrolled in a life sciences course participate in regular classroom instruction as well as laboratory work. While many colleges and universities that offer this type of degree allow students to choose when to take certain courses, consider taking chemistry before most other subjects. The principles you learn in chemistry can make it easier for you to understand the language of biology. Dentistry is among the top careers that people pursue after a life science degree.

5. Biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineeringis a degree that provides undergraduate students with knowledge of how to apply problem-solving techniques and engineering principles to medicine and biology, which extends to dentistry. Many students who receive a biomedical engineering degree go on to pursue careers in dental research. The Biomedical Engineering course allows students to better understand how the equipment and tools used by dentists and dental offices are manufactured. If you want to be involved in creating the technological advancements that help drive the dental industry forward, a biomedical engineering degree may be right for you.

The primary purpose of a biomedical engineering degree is to help the student understand how their skills can improve health. Earning this degree will open you up to a variety of different careers in the dental industry. Since you don't need a specific degree to get into dental school, you can just focus on becoming a dentist. You could also work on advancing dental implants or advancing dental imaging. The coursework that students must complete upon completion of a biomedical engineering degree includes aspects of chemistry, mathematics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

When studying biomedical engineering, many students can gain hands-on experience through internships and similar initiatives. As long as you take the right courses that will get you through dental school, a biomedical engineering degree can help you become a dentist.

6. Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical sciencesis a study option that allows students to study the fields of medicine and biology with a focus on human and animal health. Key topics explored in biomedical degree programs include medicine, disease and human health, which can be essential in gaining a better understanding of oral health and the many diseases a person can experience in and around the mouth. Undergraduate courses in Biomedical Sciences cover genetics, anatomy, and chemistry.

You will learn how to promote and maintain health by acquiring basic knowledge of immunology, nutrition and disease. By the end of this four-year course, you should be fully prepared for the course you will be completing in dental school. With a degree in Biomedical Sciences it is also possible to delve deeper into areas such as cell biology, toxicology and parasitology, the latter being particularly useful for those wishing to become a dentist. This course prepares you to evaluate new scientific discoveries and integrate them into your dental work. The biomedical sciences curriculum can train you to think critically, solve problems, evaluate yourself, and act as an ethical professional.

7. Physiological Sciences

Physiological Sciencesis a degree option that focuses on the normal functions of organisms and their parts. Earning a bachelor's degree in physiology can pave the way for dental school and a future career as a dentist. The course you complete will:

• Help improve your oral and written skills
• Enable you to understand the fundamentals of vertebrate physiology and anatomy
• You can address questions and solve scientific problems
• Give you the tools to apply critical thinking to your future dental work
• Help you learn how to interpret the results

The core curriculum of a physiology course includes physics, mathematics, statistics, biochemistry, chemistry, and life sciences. Pursuing this degree should teach you how to apply the concepts and principles of physiological science to dental practice. To fully understand the oral care and treatments you will perform as a dentist, you need to understand cellular physiology, nerve physiology, the central nervous system, and the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. This knowledge will be a core component of your future dental school studies and can make it easier for you to progress through dental school without having to struggle with courses.

8. Chemistry

ABachelor of Science in ChemistryIt is a very popular degree for students who want to pursue a career in chemistry or related fields such as medicine, biology and dentistry. The coursework that a chemistry student must complete during this course includes organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Some of the more specialized courses you'll take cover chemical biology, nuclear chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Students studying a B.S. in chemistry, you will gain comprehensive hands-on experience in a laboratory, which will prepare you for your further studies in dental school.

Many students who enroll in a chemistry course also join a research group to further their studies. Chemistry is a core area of ​​dentistry and a requirement for anyone wishing to become a dentist. Dental schools require students to complete two semesters of chemistry before they can enroll in a program. Since chemistry encompasses the study of matter, this specific degree will help you better understand dental diseases such as tooth decay, the role of saliva in oral health, and the composition of teeth.

9. Preliminary dentistry studies

Preliminary studies of dentistryIt is a type of degree offered by some colleges and universities across the country. Most universities offer a degree in dentistry as a preparatory program that is not classified as a major. Rather, the program is designed to prepare students for dental education. However, some universities allow students to earn aBachelor of Art/Dentistrywith the opportunity to apply to dental school a year earlier than is normally possible. This type of degree provides a comprehensive foundation for your eventual enrollment in dental school.

The Undergraduate Dentistry course focuses on all the requirements of a dental school. The major courses you will take include general and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, biology and mathematics. Once all required courses are completed, you must be accepted into the dental department at the college or university where you wish to study. Students typically complete a year of residency after completing a three-year degree program in dentistry. This special grade is ideal for people looking for a streamlined path to the dentist.

10. Introduction to Sociology

introduction to Sociologyis a bachelor's degree that is not specifically related to dentistry but allows you to take many of the necessary courses to prepare you for a career in dentistry. It is also important to understand that earning this type of degree gives you access to a variety of careers both within and outside the field of dentistry.

While not exactly an integral part of his later work as a dentist, introductory sociology examines social life, social interaction and sociological inquiry. Among the many topics covered in introductory sociology courses are social class, race, information technology, and economic globalization.

In the course of your studies, you will learn how to apply sociological ideas to your life, how your life is shaped by external factors, and what lasting effects social institutions and structures have. Alongside this course, it is important that you enroll in courses in biology, physics, English, organic chemistry and general chemistry that will provide you with the necessary prerequisites for dental school.

These are 10 of the best bachelor's degrees for students to pursue if they want to start a career in dentistry. Each degree offers you the opportunity to take all required courses in dental school, while providing an education that can enhance your skills and better prepare you for the demands of dental work.

A biochemistry degree can help you understand how oral health problems develop. On the other hand, a biomedical engineering degree can give you a deeper understanding of how dental tools work and how to get the most out of them. With a variety of options to choose from, the degrees above should provide you with a solid starting point in choosing the degree that's right for you.

Related articles:

What degree do you need to become a dental hygienist?

The 8 best degrees to get into medical school