DAJ2121

Hi I am a US citizen living in the UK for 15 years with my 14 year old son. I am in the process of moving back to Tampa Florida. I am want to become a dentist should I study here then move to Florida and apply to dental school. Or is the skills/degree transferable.

Also how long will it take can I do it in 3 years. I have a BS degree in business management form the states already. I am not a youngester, am over 40 but it is something I have always wanted to do. Also what are the salaries. Further would it be quicker to become a a Dential Hygenist first. Please if onyone have done this or thinking for doing so even with other profession.

mikelincs

This, found via Google, just might help and no, you can't do it in 3 years.

Dental School requirements | How to become a Dentist in USA

Noorah101

Is your son also a USC?

Rene

Pulaski

Honestly your aspiration to become a dentist is probably not realistic at your age given your lack of scientific education. Per Mikelincs, er, link, you need a degree in a science to get into (US) dental school, then dental school is another four years. So if you could get accepted in the next few months for a science degree you couldn't qualify as a dentist before 2023 at the earliest. Do you even have access to the funds to study full time for eight years?

In the UK it is highly unlikely that someone would even be allowed to enroll on a dental degree course once they are past their mid 30's.

mikelincs

Dental school in the UK is usually around 7 years once you get into Uni as you have to do, in part, a medical degree as well as the specific dental learning, it's often classed as a specialist part of medicine.

Guindalf

Sorry if the above information has you feeling down in the mouth!


(Apologies, but SOMEONE was going to say it!)

Pulaski

It is (all of the above) . I was offered a place to study dentistry, at Guy's no less, but decided not to accept it.

As recently as the 1980's there were still dentists practicing in the UK who had been "grandfathered in" as dentists practicing prior to the requirement in the UK that dentists have a degree in dentistry. Dentistry used to be a common occupation in the NE of England for "retired" miners.

RICH

Since Tampa was mentioned, fortunately Google tells me that one of the 3 schools in FL is quite handy. Here are the Entry REquirements

mikelincs

He's also looking for sales jobs, and given what his currrent qualifications appear to be, then that's the better route for him.

jenninedinburgh

DAJ2121

Yes my son have dual citizenship. Thank you all for your advice, I am not sad but disappointed. Would it be better to become a Dental Hygenist, because I am not able to become a dentist, it a life long dream and if this is the closest way, I would be more than happy to do so. How long would I have to study. I do have a BS in business management but I am not happy with my desk job as an analyst.

DAJ2121

Thank you for the link.

DAJ2121

That is okay I apprecite honest advice, would A dential Hygenist be more realistic as I have read it take 2 years. Is this correct?

DAJ2121

I am not looking for a sales job, someone elso post a thread who is and I just replied to give some advise.

petitefrancaise

Dentistry is 5 years in the UK and then another year to do foundation/VT to work in the NHS. Last I heard, there were 200 applicants for each place and they were all youngsters with at least 4 "a" levels at A*.
You can do a conversion course once in the USA if you are a dentist but it costs loads of money.
Dentistry in the USA is eyewateringly expensive, most come out with $250k of debt, it's also very competitive to gain entry onto the courses.

Hygienist courses are about 2.5 years BUT you will have to take the pre-requisite courses so add on at least another year. Usually done at community colleges so it is at least cheap to study but don't forget it's full time and you won't be able to work.
Hygienist training from the UK is not transferable (grrrrrrrrr!).
Hygiene therapy however is the highest paid associate degree career with the average salary being £70k. But it's not really a career since there'snowhere to go and believe me cleaning people's teeth all day gets tedious.