In 1870, after choosing the prestigious profession of dentistry as his livelihood, a well-educated young man enrolled in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia. Having been raised as the child of wealthy parents, he had attended the best schools, and was well-versed in Latin, Greek and French. He also played the piano and was the consummate Southern gentleman. In 1872, after writing a thesis entitled “Disease of the Teeth”, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After his two-year apprenticeship, he promptly hung out his shingle in the offices of a fellow dentist in Atlanta, Georgia, and began carving out a respectable living.

However, shortly into his dental practice, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given only a short time to live. Since his mother had died of the disease when he was in his teens, he decided to buy himself some extra time by moving to a dry climate in the West -- Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. He tried several times to make a living as a dentist, but the persistent hacking cough finally forced him to choose another profession. And even though he could no longer practice dentistry, John Henry Holliday, known as ‘Doc’ Holliday -- friend to Wyatt Earp -- was always proud to be a member of the dental profession.

Today, dentistry remains a noble and highly-skilled profession. Dentists treat conditions of the mouth and gums, and offer preventative care to avoid the loss of teeth. Most are in business for themselves and generally make over $125,000 a year. Approximately eight years of education are required after high school, including four years of college and four years of dental school. But the rewards are many for those who complete the training in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, physics, biochemistry, lab techniques and the clinical sciences.

The majority of students who enter dental school have a bachelors degree, have taken predental science-related coursework, and have received an acceptable score on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). In order to become a dentist in the United States, training must take place at a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). Upon graduation, written and practical exams must be passed with a qualifying score that meets the qualifications for state licensing. Those who specialize will need additional schooling to become orthodontists, peridontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, prosthodontists, oral radiologists, oral pathologists and public health dentists.

Dental Schools offer training for Dental Assistants, who perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.