Dentistry is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental disorders and diseases affecting the teeth, gums, jaws, and surrounding structures.
It is a branch of medicine in which students learn about all aspects of dental medicine and the impact of oral healthcare on patient health.
The dental profession provides and advances high-quality dental care, oral healthcare delivery, and the administration of related public services. Dental education faces numerous challenges, including financial, intellectual, organizational, and technological ones. Scientific, technological, political, and economic factors will shape the future of dental education.
Overview of Dentistry schools in Michigan
We aim to disseminate the most up-to-date information on dental undergraduate and postgraduate schools in Michigan, as well as dental auxiliary personnel training, as widely as possible.
Education: Admission requirements and procedures for study and entry into professions in Michigan differ from those in international students’ home countries.
In Michigan, undergraduate dental education is not available. Students interested in dental school can major in any subject, but undergraduate courses in the biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as well as the humanities and behavioral and social sciences, provide a solid foundation for admission. Minimum course requirements differ by school.
First professional degree in dentistry: Dentistry schools in Michigan are typically pursued after a four-year bachelor’s degree.
A four-year program at an accredited dental school leads to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) (DMD degree).
The first two years are dedicated to classroom instruction and laboratory work in the basic and clinical sciences, while the last two years are dedicated to a hands-on clinical study involving patient treatment through rotations under the supervision of licensed dentists.
All dental schools require the Dental Admission Test (DAT) administered by the American Dental Association (ADA), as well as a high GPA. Along with the DDS or DMD, some dentistry schools in Michigan offer combined degree programs.
Students with partial dental training or dental degrees from non-ADA accredited schools are eligible for advanced standing dental programs.
Students usually start in their second or third year. Graduates of non-ADA dental schools may apply for such programs using the ADEA Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists, which is available online (ADEA CAAPID).
For foreign-trained dental graduates, some dentistry schools in Michigan offer intensive, accelerated programs called the International Dentist Program.
The duration of this program ranges from 2 to 3 years and results in either a DDS or a DMD degree, with some programs also awarding a certificate of completion. It should be noted that program requirements and admission criteria for dental programs vary. Admission procedures can be found at www.adea.org and individual program websites.
Opportunities for Advanced Education: General Practice Residency (GPR), Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), and ADA-approved dental specialty programs are postdoctoral training opportunities for international dental graduates to advance skills and develop competence for professional practice.
The American Dental Association recognizes nine specialty programs: dental public health, endodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. These programs range in length from two to four years beyond the dental degree.
Graduate degree programs: Students interested in careers in teaching, administration, or research should consider Master of Science (MS), Master of Public Administration (MPH), Master of Hospital Administration (MHA), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, among others.
Dental occupations include general practitioner, community consultant, dental public health specialist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, oral pathologist, oral and maxillofacial radiologist, endodontist, orthodontist, pediatric dentist, periodontist, and prosthodontist. Others choose teaching, research, or administration in dental health, dental public policy, and international public health, among other options.
Graduates must meet the requirements outlined by the respective dental licensing authority in the state in which they wish to practice in order to obtain a license to practice dentistry.
Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental program, satisfactory performance in the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE part I and II), evaluation of foreign credentials by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), proof of English language proficiency or TOEFL, and a state clinical examination are all required for licensure. To obtain their first dental license, dental students must pass clinical and written exams.
How to Obtain Your First Dental License
The clinical licensure requirements for each state are set by Michigan dental board. While many schools require clinical examinations, some schools accept alternative routes to licensure, such as completion of a postgraduate year residency program (PGY1), passing an objective structured clinical examination (DLOSCE or OSCE administered by NDEB), or passing a portfolio exam (2014 California Portfolio Exam).
Examining the Licensure Dashboard maps will help you determine which exams (CDCA, CITA, CRDTS, SRTA, WREB) and types (manikin or patient) are accepted by the state where you intend to practice.
CDCA-WREB-CITA (formerly the Commission for Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), and the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA)) Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS) States Resources for Testing and Assessments (SRTA)
Exams may be given in one of two ways.
In the traditional format, candidates who have graduated from or are nearing the end of their final year of dental school complete all clinical parts of the exam over a 2-3 day period.
The curriculum-integrated format (CIF) allows dental students of record to complete the exam in sections over the course of their final year of dental school.
Choosing a Professional Degree Program in Dentistry: The Commission on Dental Accreditation must accredit dental education programs in Michigan (CODA).
The Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) is a centralized online application service that makes it easier to apply to participating dentistry schools in Michigan.
Students should also consult individual program websites for specific requirements and procedures. If your preferred school is not among those participating in the AADSAS, apply directly to that school.
Admission to a dentistry school in Michigan is extremely competitive. International students must research the acceptability and recognition of such programs in their home country ahead of time.
Dentistry schools in Michigan
Here’s a comprehensive list of some of the dentistry schools in Michigan:
- Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy
Website: Click here
Address: 3250 Central Blvd, Hudsonville, MI 49426, United States
Areas served: Hudsonville
Phone: +1 844-727-3755
- Aspen Dental
Address: 26222 Novi Rd STE 200, Novi, MI 48375, United States
Phone: +1 248-697-3101
Website: Click here
- Baker College Dental Hygiene
Address: C, 34401 Southbound Gratiot Ave, Clinton Twp, MI 48035, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 586-790-5238
- Campus Dental Care
Website: Click here
Address: 515 E Grand River Ave suite i, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States
Phone: +1 517-977-0184
- Community Dental Center
Website: Click here
Address: 406 N Ashley St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, United States
Phone: +1 734-998-9640
- Dental Assistant School Grand Rapids
Website: Click here
Address: 4489 Byron Center Ave SW STE A, Wyoming, MI 49519, United States
Phone: +1 231-680-0223
- Dental Careers of Michigan
Address: 28437 Greenfield Rd, Southfield, MI 48076, United States
Services: Dental Assistant Courses, Dental Assistant Programs, Dental Assistant School and Dental Assistant Training
Phone: +1 248-423-1100
Website: Click here
- Dentist R Us
Website: Click here
Address: 38865 Dequindre Rd # 105, Troy, MI 48083, United States
Phone: +1 248-879-7755
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine (POM)
Website: Click here
Located in: University of Michigan
Address: Ann Arbor, MI 48104, United States
Phone: +1 734-763-3325
- DETROIT MERCY DENTAL CENTER
Website: Click here
Located in: University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Dental Clinic
Address: 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208, United States
Phone: +1 313-494-6700
- Dorsey College – Madison Heights, MI Campus
Website: Click here
Address: 31739 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, United States
Phone: +1 248-588-9660
- The Implant Learning Center
Address: 30 N Michigan Ave STE 1220, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Phone: +1 312-624-9322
- LOADING DOCK School of Dentistry
Website: Click here
Located in: University of Michigan
Address: 204 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Phone: +1 734-764-1553
- Malette Elizabeth DDS
Website: Click here
Address: 1011 N University Ave # 1340, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Phone: +1 734-764-3155
- Michigan Dental Assisting School
Address: 32905 W 12 Mile Rd #240A, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, United States
Services: Dental Assisting Certificate, OSHA Certificate, CPR Certification, Dental Radiology Certification, and X-Ray Certification
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 586-764-1446
- Midwest Equine Dental Academy
Address: 5265 S Winn Rd, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 989-772-2999
- MonaLeoñe Lakeshore Academy
Address: 545 Michigan Ave Suite 2, Holland, MI 49423, United States
Services: Dental Assisting
Phone: +1 616-953-0323
Website: Click here
- My Community Dental Centers ~ Manistee
Website: Click here
Address: 220 Glocheski Dr, Manistee, MI 49660, United States
Phone: +1 231-398-9305
- Peaks Dental Assisting School
Website: Click here
Located in: Drs Burau Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
Address: 240 Gd Blanc Rd, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, United States
Phone: +1 810-569-9587
- Ross Medical Education Center
Website: Click here
Located in: Park Row Mall
Address: 950 W Norton Ave, Muskegon, MI 49441, United States
Phone: +1 231-739-1531
- Smile Programs
Website: Click here
Located in: The Gateway
Address: 33533 W 12 Mile Rd #150, Farmington Hills, MI 48331, United States
Phone: +1 248-442-6600
- Summit Dental Group: Steven Rollins DMD
Address: North Summit Professional Building, 2335 Pontiac Lake Rd # I, Waterford Twp, MI 48328, United States
Phone: +1 248-681-3600
Website: Click here
- TCP Live Implant Training & Dental Implant Courses
Website: Click here
Located in: The Griswold
Address: 110 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, United States
Phone: +1 313-209-8695
- University of Detroit Mercy
Website: Click here
Address: 4001 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221, United States
Phone: +1 313-993-1245
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Website: Click here
Address: 1011 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Services: Braces, Implants, Dentures, Oral Surgery, Wisdom Tooth Removal, Root Canals, Sleep Apnea Devices, Fillings, Cleanings
Phone: +1 734-763-6933
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Website: Click here
Located in: University of Michigan
Address: 1011 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Phone: +1 734-764-1568
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Website: Click here
Address: 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208, United States
Phone: +1 313-494-6700
- Western Michigan University
Website: Click here
Address: 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, United States
Phone: +1 269-387-1000
Finding Work as a Dentist in Michigan
You want to find work after graduating from dentistry schools in Michigan. Your job search can begin on the first day of classes.
Start with contacts made in your labs, on-site visits, and your internship. Furthermore, any experience you gained prior to beginning dentistry schools in Michigan, or during your education while working privately for a dentist (i.e., summer job), are excellent places to begin your job search.
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