Georgia is home to several dental schools. Whether you want to become a professional dentist, dental hygienist, or dental technician or choose another career in the dentistry industry, there are dental schools in Georgia to help you achieve your dreams.
Dentistry is in high demand in Georgia, and it is a growing field that students should consider. Becoming a dentist in Georgia will enable you to help improve the lives of others, as well as to earn a higher salary.
Obtaining a degree from a dental school is an exciting step to becoming a professional dentist. However, selecting the best dental schools in Georgia ought to be the first step.
In this overview, we will provide you with some of the best dental schools in Georgia and everything you need to know about them.
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Table of Contents
IS GEORGIA GOOD TO STUDY DENTISTRY?
Yes! Georgia is home to some of the best schools for dental hygienists and dental assistant programs in the USA. The state features some of the best schools to study dentistry. Admission to Georgia dentistry schools is relatively easy compared to other schools in states in the United States.
The course duration for dentistry courses in Georgia takes up to five to six years. However, there are some universities that offer the same course for four to five years.
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WHAT ARE THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DENTISTRY PROGRAM IN GEORGIA?
There are several career opportunities in the dentistry program. They include:
1. Dentist
The role of a dentist is to diagnose and treat oral problems. They also perform procedures, such as surgeries, fillings, and extraction to ensure that the teeth and mouth are healthy.
2. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are responsible for providing clear instructions to patients of all ages on improving dental health, like how to properly brush, and floss the teeth.
3. Dental Technical
Dental technical or dental technologists are responsible for improving teeth and replacing lost teeth. They make the dentures, Crowns, dental braces, and bridges that improve patients’ teeth and mouth.
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HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL DENTIST IN GEORGIA?
To become a professional dentist, students must Earn a bachelor’s degree before proceeding to other processes. This degree could take at least three to seven years. Then graduates can proceed to earn a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
After the completion of the DMD program, students can proceed to take the state exam for a license. Then, proceed to gain practical experience in the healthcare field. Finally, complete a residency program.
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WHAT DENTAL COURSES ARE OFFERED IN GEORGIA
Like other programs, dentistry has many areas of specialization, which include:
1. Dental Anesthesiology
Dental anesthesiology is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on monitoring, evaluating, and managing patients’ vital points. This specialty focus on the use of pain management service to carry out dental procedures.
2. Dental Public Health
Dental public health is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on promoting good dental health by educating people on how to prevent oral diseases.
3. Endodontics
Endodontics involves preventing and treating diseases and disorders of the teeth and jaw. They treat root canal injuries.
4. Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral and maxillofacial is responsible for diagnosing and managing oral diseases using dental X-rays, MRI machines, and other tools.
5. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
This specialty focuses on examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect the mouth, jaw, and teeth.
6. Oral And Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the study of identification and management of diseases affecting the mouth, jaw, and face.
7. Oral Medicine Dentistry
Oral medicine dentistry is a non-surgical specialty of dentistry that provides oral healthcare to patients with conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
8. Orofacial Pain Dentistry
This aspect of dentistry diagnoses and treats patients with pain that is often chronic, multi-factorial, and complex
9. Orthodontics And Dentofacial Orthopedics
Responsible for diagnosing, preventing, and treating all forms of malocclusion of the teeth.
10. Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty responsible for treating the dental problems of infants, children, and teenagers.
11. Periodontics
This involved preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases of gum tissue, bones surrounding the jaw, and placement of dental implants.
12. Prosthodontics
This aspect of dentistry deals with replacing missing teeth, and repairing patients’ dentures, and treating facial pains.
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10 BEST DENTAL SCHOOLS IN GEORGIA
Here are some of the best dental schools in Georgia:
1. AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
Augusta University is one of the best dental schools in Georgia, which is highly appreciated for providing dental education to the next generation of professionals by offering hands-on education through innovative research, patient care, and service.
Students are given many options to practice their knowledge and strengthen their clinical skills. Also, Augusta University has multiple dental degree programs, including the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and a combined Doctor of Dental Medicine/Master of Business Administration program. The school also offers a doctorate in philosophy with a master’s in oral biology and maxillofacial pathology and continuing education.
Augusta University Dental College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
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2. GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Georgia State University is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1913, and it is one of the best dental schools in Georgia.
Georgia State University has campuses throughout metro Atlanta. It provides world-class faculty with nationally ranked and recognized programs and over 250 majors.
The dental hygiene program offered at Georgia State University includes ten courses that are specially designed to provide necessary coursework to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to advance to more positions in the profession.
All courses are online and are three credit hours each. The dental hygiene program is for registered dental hygienists who already have an associate degree.
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3. VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Valdosta State University is one of the best dental schools in Georgia. It is a public university founded in 1906. The school offers a progressive learning environment and assists students in achieving academic excellence in every field of study.
Valdosta State University offers one of the best dental hygiene programs in the country. The University prides itself in being at the forefront of innovation and excellence. Its dental hygiene program trains students to become professional dental hygienists.
The dental hygiene program focuses on several areas of oral care, including cleaning teeth, conducting screening procedures for a variety of oral conditions, taking dental X-rays, and educating patients on how to prevent oral problems. The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Communion on Dental Accreditation.
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4. ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY
Albany State University is one of the best dental schools in Georgia. With an acceptance rate of 63%, the school offers over 40 undergraduate degree programs, of which the most popular majors are health and human performance, nursing, biology, early childhood education, psychology, and dental hygiene.
Albany State University’s dental hygiene program seeks to educate dentists through innovation and teamwork by utilizing lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
After completion of the dental hygiene program, an associate of science degree will be awarded. Also, students will be eligible to take the national written examination and a state or regional clinical examination.
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5. CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Clayton State University is one of the top dental schools in Georgia. This institute strives to provide quality education in every field of study.
Clayton State University presents aspiring students with some of the best dental programs which is highly appreciated in Georgia.
Its dental hygiene program has a strong emphasis on developing future dental hygienists by providing them with outstanding training and exceptional education to educate patients regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care.
Clayton State University offers a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene and an RDH – BSCH completion track, which is designed for dental hygienists who are graduates of an accredited associate degree dental hygiene program.
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6. GEORGIA HIGHLAND COLLEGE
Georgia Highland College is one of the best schools in Georgia. It was founded in 1970 as a community college and since then, it has expanded to offer bachelor’s degrees in healthcare management, dental hygiene, and an RN-BSN program.
The dental hygiene program offered at Georgia Highland College is a two-year associate degree program that provides a quality student-focused education toward achieving academic excellence in all areas of dental hygiene.
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7. FORTIS COLLEGE
Fortis College is a highly recognized school in Georgia offering one of the best dental programs. Fortis College provides accredited comprehensive education in multiple healthcare fields and dental hygiene.
The dental hygiene program offered at Fortis Colleges is designed to educate future dental hygienists by providing them with quality education. Students will have the chance to receive hands-on training and practice in a laboratory. Fortis College also provides students the opportunities to learn real-world skills in a clinical environment.
The school offers a dental assistant program that prepares students for an entry-level position in the field of healthcare.
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8. GWINNETT DENTAL CAREER ACADEMY
Gwinnett Dental Career Academy is one of the best dental schools in Georgia that was created to provide quality education in every area of dental care. The school offers high-quality dental assisting instruction in a real-world dental practice environment.
The dental assistant program offered at Gwinnett Dental Career Academy is a 10-week dental assistant program that is designed to teach basic skills that prepare graduates for a career as a hygiene assistant, sterilization tech, or chair-side dental assistant.
Upon completion of the program, graduate students will receive a certificate of completion with a Georgia Department of Human Resources radiology certification and an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certificate.
The courses offered in Gwinnett Dental Career Academy include Orientation to dental assisting, dental assisting, Dental Anatomy, Infection control and sterilization, Topical and local anesthetic, Dental radiography (X-rays), dental chatting and software, and dental impressions.
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9. ANDREW COLLEGE
Andrew College is one of the best dental schools in Georgia. It is the ninth oldest college in Georgia and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Andrew College has a strong focus on providing exceptional education in several health-related career fields, including occupational therapy, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, dental hygiene, nursing, and other health professions.
The dental program is designed to prepare students to enter a healthcare occupation or qualify as an applicant for a future dentist. Students will take general education courses, such as math, English, humanities, and social science as well as pre-dental courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
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10. EMORY UNIVERSITY
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1836 and is one of the largest schools in Georgia. It has nine academic divisions and seven major hospitals.
Emory University is one of the best dental schools in Georgia. It is considered highly selective, its median SAT school of the class 3023 is 1500, and its acceptance rate is 13%.
Emory University offers various studies in different areas of dentistry including oral and maxillofacial surgery, Continuing dental education, endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, and many more.
The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Emory University is a regional center designed for the treatment of oral and maxillofacial disorders for adult and pediatric patients.
The division focuses on basic wisdom teeth removal and facial and jaw reconstruction. It also provides services like dentoalveolar surgery, Orthognathic surgery, temporomandibular joint surgery, and trauma.
The oral and maxillofacial residency at Emory University offers two tracks, a 4-year certificate program and a 6-year doctor of medicine/oral surgery program.
The division boasts a rich history in clinical research. It is accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
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Does Georgia Have Any Dental Schools?
Yes! Some of the best dental schools in Georgia include Augusta University, Georgia State University, Valdosta State University, Albany State University, Clayton State University, Andrew College, and many more.
How Long Are Dental Schools In Georgia?
To become a professional dentist in Georgia, aspiring students must enroll in an undergraduate institution for a four-year program.
CONCLUSION
Georgia is well-known for having some of the best institution that offers various study programs, a great learning environment, job opportunities, and affordable tuition fees. This article has featured some of the best dental schools in Georgia, and we hope they are helpful to your search.
REFERENCES
- Flexyinfo.com
- Learn.org
- Freestudy.com
- Wikipedia.org
- Indeed.com