Dentists identify and treat problems concerning a patient’s mouth, gums and teeth. Their duties include extracting teeth, fitting dentures and filling cavities. Some choose to specialize in areas that range from treating serious oral problems and diseases to straightening teeth and performing oral surgeries. They are assisted by dental hygienists, who complete a patient’s teeth cleaning, and by dental assistants, who usually help with record keeping and instrument sterilization.

Many people dread the dentist. When they open wide, they’re afraid what the dentist will find. Yet another cavity? Or even worse – will it be time for a root canal? Will the dentist embarrass them about their flossing frequency or their coffee drinking? Will they push procedures that patients don’t want?

Becoming a dentist involves a marathon of training and testing. Ideally, the pathway starts as early as high school, when you focus on Advanced Placement courses in chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics. Here are the next steps to take:

1. Get an undergraduate degree. As undergrads, aspiring dentists will need to take a host of premedical courses in mathematics, chemistry and biology. Aspiring dentists will also need to acquire top marks in undergrad and glowing letters of recommendation to get into dental school.
2. Take the Dental Admission Test. Most dentists take the DAT by their junior year. Getting into dental school is competitive, and scoring well on the acceptance test is only one of the hurdles.
3. Attend dental school. Dental school itself is a rigorous mix of practical and technical training, and the time spent in a program is determined by specialty.
4. Pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination. To practice, dentists are required to pass the exam and obtain state-specific licensure.

While practicing, each state may require dentists to keep up with changes in ethics, technology and more by taking continuing dental education courses.

Some dentists also specialize, which entails additional training. After completing dental school, these dentists enter residency programs related to a specialty, such as oral or maxillofacial surgery. Programs are often one to two years, but training varies by specialty. Some programs can take up to six years.