How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Alabama

The path to becoming a dentist is full of challenges; therefore we would advise you to do your research beforehand. Here’s an article that will help you understand how to become a Dentist in Alabama.

A long list of requirements has to be met if you aspire to become a licensed dentist in Alabama. The details are listed below:

1. 1. Education Requirements

You will be required to complete a Bachelor’s and Doctoral degree in Dentistry. You have the option of enrolling in a Doctor of Dental Medicine or a Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Some universities are also offering coordinated degree programs such as the Doctor of Dental Medicine/Master of Public Health.

2. 2. Training Requirements

In order to graduate from the doctoral program, you will have to complete the internship credits.

 

3. 3. Certification and Licensing Requirements

Earning the required degrees and accruing the supervised clinical hours is not enough. You won’t be able to practice in Alabama until you have been awarded a license. In order to obtain a license, you will have to apply to the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.

The following stages must be completed if you want to become a dentist in Alabama:

1. 1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The pre-dental requirements include completion of a minimum 3 years of study of 90 semester hours. This will incorporate a minimum of 30 hours of Non-Science, 6 hours of Mathematics, 8 hours of Physics, 16 hours of Chemistry and 8 hours of Biology. You will be required to graduate from a college or school of dentistry that is approved by the Board.

2. 2. Complete a Doctorate Program and Fulfill Training Requirements

After completing the bachelor’s program, you will have to enroll in a doctorate program. You can either opt for a Doctor of Dental Medicine or a Doctor of Dental Surgery. You will also be required to complete your doctoral level internship.

3. 3. Obtain a State License

You must meet the following licensure requirements in order to file an application with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama:

3. • Must be at least 19 years old
   • Should bear a good moral character
   • Should be a US citizen/should be legally present in the US with appropriate documentation with the federal government
   • Should have graduated from an accredited dental college or school
   • Must have passed the National Dental Board Exams (Part 1 and 2)

If you have met these requirements, then you will have to submit a licensure application with the Board. If your application is approved and the supporting material is found satisfactory, you will be mailed/emailed the jurisprudence test. This open book exam will cover the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners Administrative Code and the Alabama Dental Practice Act. You will need a minimum score of 75% to pass the test.
Upon passing this test, you will be granted a license certificate and a license, which will make you eligible to practice dentistry in Alabama.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the annual mean wage of Dentists in Alabama was $171,900 in 2018. There were 1,160 people employed in this particular field.