Any dentists out there???

I am 23 and i want to become a dentist. I have decided to go and get my associates degree in dental hygiene and while working as a dental hygienist take classes to become a dentist. I am not sure of any good schools....i live in MD and i would prefer to stay here. Do i need to go to an ADA accredited school??? If so, are there any in MD??? If not in MD where would the closest one be located??? Also, last question, lol :0)...if i get an associates degree in Dental Hygiene and go to dental school how many more years would i have to graduate with my bachelors degree and become a dentist???? Or do i need a masters degree??? I have been looking online and some sites say it takes between 6-8 years of schooling.....thats a long time. I would like to finish up in four- six years or as fast as possible...any suggestions???

Any dentists out there???
Each school will have it's own specific guidelines for admission. I'm not sure what current guidelines are, but for sure those in the dental hygiene school will know. In my day you needed a year of chemistry, a year of biology, a year of physics. Most of us had bachelors degrees. I'm sure you don't need a masters degree, but whether you get enough science in dental hygiene school I can't tell you. I CAN tell you that having experience as a dental auxilliary should be seen as a very big plus! As far as grade point average, that varies. I graduated college in 1973 and NYUCD in 1976, so obviously you should talk to someone less ancient.


As far as dental schools, if I am not mistaken you live in the state that boasts the oldest dental school in the world--the Baltimore College of Dentistry at the U. of Maryland!





http://www.dental.umaryland.edu/





Steve Bornfeld, DDS

Skin