Most students attain a bachelor's degree before entering dental school.
Upon attaining the DDS, dentists must pass both the National Licensing Examination and the State Board Examination in the state of intended professional practice. Licensure may also be a requirement for further specialty training. Foreign nationals applying to dental schools should remember that the level of competition is very high, for US citizens as well as for foreigners. The chances for admission are slightly more positive for foreign nationals than in medicine and veterinary medicine. Chances of obtaining admission to a private dental school are somewhat higher than those of admission to a state-supported dental school.